Please Help. Merc 225 four stroke vs Merc 225 Optimax

[No Vacancy]

I need help deciding on an engine. I have two options that are in my price range. The boat is a 25' Trophy walk around style. It can be powered with a 225 merc four stroke or a merc 225 optimax. Does any one have experience with either motor? I have been hearing that the four stroke is quiet, but it is a slow dog. On the other hand I hear the Optimax is loud, but offers better performance (hole punch, quicker to plane off, and a little faster at WOT).
Any advice or help would be appreciated. Thank you, No Vacancy.

[Schmaltz~Herring]

I would prefer the YamaMerc 4 stroke, since as you mentioned fuel & oil economy and the fact that it is becoming a 4s world.

[twentynine]

No Vacancy
Just ignore wiley boy, let's just say the little fellow has some issues with mental stability.

[boatmike]

Before deciding on power for my 270 Outrage I ran both motor set ups on the boat. The twin 225 Four Strokes were quiter at idle or trolling speeds over the optimax but had an annoying howling sound at higher rpm. I assume it is because of the valve train in a four stroke but it reminded me of moms vacuum cleaner??? Optimax is slightly louder at idle and trolling speed but was more pleasant to me at higher rpm.

The way I use the my boat I don't think that I would actually see any fuel savings with the Four Stroke. I was also concerned about warranty issues with the Yamerc 225. What is going to happen in a couple of years when Mercury is no longer offering the motor or parts? Will Yamaha honor the warranty?.... I don't think so.

What's more? The 270 Outrage will plane using only one of the twin optis. The four stroke did not have the power to get the boat on plane with one motor After the sea trials and research it was clear to me that Optimax was the right choice I have had ZERO problems out of them and enjoy a reliable, fast, and efficient engine package.

[SeaJay]

I am not a speed demon, but 225 HP is not excessive on a 25 foot boat. For sure I would want the Merc 2 stroke (Optimax) rather than the Merc 4 stroke on that rig.

[gw204]

How big of a concern is fuel economy?

If not much, I'd opt for twin 150 EFI's if you can get them. Should only be a few grand more for much better performance than a single 225. Twin 150 EFI's would burn about 15 gal an hour total at cruise.

[wscott10]

I have owned both of these motors. Go with the optimax and you'll never be sorry. I store my boat with guys that run charter services in southeastern louisiana. These motors are run hard 4-6 days a week. The boats are usually fully loaded. 24' bay boats with 4-5 people, 70 gallons of fuel and gear. One charter service runs the 4 stroke honda and yamaha(s). We pass these guys up like they were parked. The fuel economy on the optimax is very close to the 4 strokes. I don't care what you hear, I am talkin from running 2 identical boats, 1 225 optimax. the other honda 225 4 stroke. Exact same routes, fished together all day. After a 7 hour fishing trip, the opti burned 3 gallons more, but don't forget the oil cost. You can't go wrong with the optimax, great motor for the price and a tough product. Sure you can have a bad experience with any product listed here, but from guys that make a living fishing and can run any product they choose to free of charge,(sponsered) they'll go Optimax every time. And NO, I do not work for Mercury.
GOOD LUCK@!!!!!!!! I know its a tough choice.

[tonyrhodes]

I REALLY DON`T LIKE THE 4STROKES . NOT THE BIG ENGINES ANYWAY . I TALKED TO MY MERC TECH REP THIS WEEK AND HE WAS TELLING ME HOW GOOD THE 2004 OPTIMAX IS . I KNOW THE 2003 ENGINES WERE PRETTY GOOD . FROM 02 AND OLDER STAY AWAY FROM OPTIMAX . THEY ALMOST CAUSED ME TO CHANGE MY OCCUPATION .LOL. ALSO YOU MIGHT WANT TO LOOK AT THE YAMAHA HPDI . THESE ARE VERY GOOD FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN .

[No Vacancy]

I would love to look at the yamaha engines. But I am buying a 2502 trophy, and trophy only puts merc engines on their boats. It looks like the opti is going to be more in my price range. That you for all the helpful feedback. I truly appreciate it. No Vacancy.

[No Vacancy]

1

[carteri]

I have the 4 stroke and so far i've been happy. The motor is very quite and will push my 21 outrage at 52-54 mph (gps) full of gas (95gal) and 4 people. I like not having to not worry about oil and the next service after the break-in service is 100 hours. I think both the 4 stroke and the opti come with 5 yr warranty.

[SCAngler]

no vacancy-first off i would go with the optimax unless you do alot of trolling.the reasons ar
1. power-the merc 4 stroke(same as the yam) is a good engine but is low on power..it feels more like a 200 than a 225.the optimax has close to the 10 % limit on hp.
2.low end torque-opti wins this ..& it's not close
3.hole shot-opti ... again not close
4.midrange acceleration...the opti by a wide margin
5.top end is close but merc still ahead.
6.fuel usage dead heat
7.noise-the opti is quieter than the yamaha version but only slightly louder than the merc version
here is some comparisions from Boating mag. comparing the 225's on a 24 bay scout

1speed(top end)merc 4 strk. 49.4
merc opti. 50.3

2.hole shot 0-30 merc 4 strk 6.67
merc opti 5.83
3.mid range 30-45 merc 4str 7.85
merc opti 5.62
4fuel usage at 4500 merc 4 stroke 3.7 mpg

merc opti 3.0
at wot merc 4 stroke 2.4
merc opti 2.6

5.noise- at idel merc 4 stroke 58 db
merc opti 63
at 4500 merc 4 78
merc opti 83
at wot merc 4 83
merc opti 90
note the merc 4 is about 6 db's quieter than the yamaha 225 4 stroke
the merc has a different cowling on top.