optimax performance?

[high life]

Would like to know if anyone running a 150/175 optimax would like to share some real world fuel usage numbers to help me decide if it is worth purchasing. Thinking of moving up a couple of feet and a V6 is most likely going on the back. I would look yammy 150 4 stroke but the price might be harder to swallow. If any of you could help it would be appreciated, thanks! We will be shopping in the 19-20 foot and with gas soaring like it is economy is allways an issue.

currently own a 2001 175 optimax on a 19 ft. cc.
i would estimate approx. average at better than 4 mpg. using smart craft gauges, fuel used, trip odometer. my average rpms are 3900.

[high life]

Joe R, thank you! That was exactly the response I was looking for. A 175 getting 4mpg or better is surely a good move from my 115 carbed getting 3mpg. How do you like your 175 ?

[whaler21]

I had a 150 hp Optimax on a 18 ft Dauntless it used app.5.0 gph.I now have a 200hp Optimax on a 21 ft Conquest and use app. 7.0 gph. Both engines for cruising were run in the 3400 to 4000 rpm range.

[CaptnC]

I have a pair of 150's on my SeaCraft and get 2.5 on nice days, but average a solid 2.0 the rest of the time. I never run my boats faster than 4000rpm and have really like them. I put over 300 hours on them last summer.

One thing no one mentioned is oil consumption. If I run inshore winter snapper trips I only fill the oil tanks once every three trips. Long range trips I fill it every other trip. They are very easy on the oil.

175 has been good. smoke free, quiet at idle, loud while running.
upgraded to smartcraft guages, this has been a nightmare (going on 3 months). runs fine with the system disconnected, idle is a mess when hooked up. mercury has arranged to have a dealer they feel is more educated with the system try to correct it. customer service has been very coopretive.