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Random Quote: The sea is selective. Slow in recognition of effort and aptitude, but fast in sinking the unfit.
If you only had these choices for your 33' Dusky, Which engine would you choose and why?
Mercury 225 Four Stroke
Mercury 225 Optimax
Evinrude RAM DFI 225
Evinrude RAM DFI 250
Dusky lists some performance specs for that model....If the listed specs using the 'Rude 225s seems enough, then go for it. On the other hand, that extra 50 hps with the twin 250s seems like short money at $1600. Why not?
I hear alot about the Yamaha's but not about the Evinrude's. Are the 250 DFI a reliable engine? Don't know their track record. On their web site they say they have a 3 year non-declining warranty.
i am running a smaller merc dfi. put about 150 hours on last year and 50 so far this year. never a moment of trouble. thing starts even after sitting for 2 weeks- often on the first turn of the key with no choke just a pump of the ball.
110 views and only 5 replies. Which one would you choose. Don't be shy. If you have one of these then share your opinion on these engines.
Thanks again
I have one (albeit a 50 hp...which is really a Yammie block on a merc leg BUT) so far touch wood, it's been wonderfull.
If 50 of Merc is good, 225 must be awesome!
Also, a real cute Maori gal once told me "once you've had black - you'll never go back!"..sadly I mistakenly figured she was talking about merc outboards!
I own a Mercury (Yamaha) 115 Four Stroke and I love it, but I would have second thoughts about buying one again.
The Merc 225 Four Stroke is actually a Yamaha F225. This is not bad, but it would not be my preference. It will be orphaned soon after Mercury brings out their own line of four stroke for 2004MY.
Of thechoices you listed I would go with the Evinrude RAM DFI 250. Less moving aprts than either the Four Stoke or the Optimax. Great trolling fuel economy. Lot's of power, consumes very little oil (use the Evinrude FICHT brand; it contains Carb-X so you won't need to add any de-carb) and has a "better" 3 year "bumper to bumper" warranty than Mercury or Yamaha.
Now if you could hold off for 18 months, the new Evinrude E-TEC's will be here and ...
I would have voted for Yamaha/Merc 4 stroke, but I've been reading too many negatives about both that engine and the 250 hpdi. If I were buying a new boat today, I might well opt for the 250 Evinrudes....but I'd make sure I had a a good Evinrude mechanic in the area.
Get the Merc's which are Yamaha painted black. Or go straight Yamaha 4 stroke's because then you get the guage package. Plenty of power, reliable, quiet, economical.
Don't know about resale but I would buy the Rude 250's again. They have been proven to be very reliable, very fuel efficient and extremely powerfull. Mine are 2001's on my 2002 HS. The newer ones have a beefier lower unit.
From what I've seen in Dusky's adds they are available with Merc's or Bomb's. I don't know if they will rig one with Yammies. If they won't and the Merc 225 is a Yamaha powerplant, then that's what I would want. There is a 33 at my marina with twin 225 Johnsons. That is one WILD looking hull!
Parker at the Bar, The only engines they offer are the ones above. How are they WILD? I kind of like them. Just curious about what you think about the hull.
Thanks for the replies - looks like the Rude 250's are in the lead. Anybody with 250 Rude's want to comment about the engine good or bad?
Which engine would you choose? 
