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I am considering a repower with these two engines. Difference in price installed is about $1400. I am wondering if it is worth the extra money for the 250. I have a tunnel hull so I am not sure I will get that much more top speed. My merc 225 efi gets me to 49 mph gps. I am expecting about 30-40 % less fuel burn with these engines as compared to my efi. I also am considering a 225 optimax but it is about the same cost as the 250 zuke.
the opti should cost less and your present wiring harness/ shift/ throttle and steering set up will so plug and play with the opti. the suzuki's are great engines with extreme power for a 4 stroke. just remember the added cost of install due to the different wiring and controls.
__________________ beauty may be skin deep, but ugly goes to the bone.
The OptiMax should be less expensive since you already have Merc controls. While the zuke is a powerful 4 stroke and good motor, note that there have been ECU updates after ECU updates to the big blocks. Hopefully they have it right now. I will also note that my wife and I were downtown Annapolis on Tuesday and she heard how quiet a four stroke was and asked why ours is so loud. I told her that I wanted the performance and lack of maintenance of a two stroke since we were putting a single on a 25'er and she said that I should have asked her..
Man you just gotta go with Optimax on a boat like yours!
1) 502 lbs. vs 580 lbs.
2) As noted, all controls and steering ready to go
3) 225 Opti has low water pick ups for extra cooling when you run the jackplate up
4) No oil changes or valve adjustments
5) 65 amp vs. 54 amp charging system
6) Incredible holeshot w/ amzing fuel economy
7) Smartcraft capabilities
8) Black on the back looks awesome
Kidding aside, Suzuki is a fantastic motor but in your case I think you would be better off with an Opti
BTW, what shaft length does your champion take? I don't think they offer anything less than 25" in the 225 and 250 Suzukis.
__________________ Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once
2004 Boston Whaler 270 Outrage
Twin 225 Opimax
2006 Coastal Bay 2310 by Action Craft
225 Optimax SW
You'd be crazy not to get the opti--faster and more efficient---and doesn't sounda like a Civic
BTW-- I know of someone selling a new in the box 225 opti for 11k
Dealer qouted me 14K plus 350 rigging for the opti. I thought he was a little high. The 225 zuke installed with prop and controls was shade over 14K. Do you guys really think the opti is more powerful than the zuke. I can believe hole shot is better but top end should be similar Plus side with the opti is I do like the holeshot of my 225 black anchor Just though maybe it was time to go 4 stroke. My boat does take a 25 inch shaft BTW.
Check with Duvic's in Harvey. He had some 2006 250 Suzukis for 13ish thousand.
Duvic's quoted me a 250 zuke with controls, prop and rigging $15,300 before tax. BTW, I don't have trim tabs because my boat just does not need them, but I am concerned the extra weight may throw my balance off and then require tabs.
We repowered our 22' Grady White this year - went from a 200 Evinrude to a 250 Suzuki four stroke. I coould not be more pleased with its all round performance - quiet, powerful, excellent fuel economy, reliable. I would NOT DREAM of ever buying a two stroke again!
enjoy feeding that opti the $25/gal oil that it will mix at about 60:1. That equates to roughly an additional $.40/ gal of gas. And start saving for some hearing aids as well. Other than that, great motors!!
I just repowered my boat with a Yamaha 150 HP HPDI motor. It was $3,000 less than the Yamaha F150 4-stroke and $4,000 less than the ETEC. I'm happy with it so far, but if cost had not been a factor--that difference is maybe 30% of the value of my boat with the old motor, and $3,000 buys a lot of goodies, such as gas or electronics or flowers for my wife--I'd have probably gone with the 4-stroke. Compared to my motor, the 4-stroke really is quieter and more fuel-efficient at low speeds (not much quieter and not at all more fuel efficient, maybe even less fuel efficient, at cruise speeds). I don't know the ETEC personally, but I do have personal acquaintance with $4,000. My point is that if there's no cost differential, and no significant weight penalty, then seriously consider the 4-stroke. I'm not sure you'd notice a 75-pound difference.
I haven't seen anyone answer your original question--225 v 250--and I can't, but I wouldn't spend much money or accept many extra pounds of weight to get the extra 25 HP.
I know Cajun in Addis has 225 optis for 12 or so, they advertise them all the time. I don't like dealing with them, but just give them a check and pick up your motor. Should take you a couple of hours max to rig it yourself---even easier with a jackplate.
The whole purpose of a tunnel hull bayboat is to go shallow. Extra weight does not help you go shallow, and neither does a slower hole shot. The suzuki is a great motor, just not right for your application IMO. Ever seen one on a bass boat---similar deal.
A good friend is on the Champion pro team--I'd be glad to put you in touch with him. He lives here in BR. He's always told me the Champions are pigs with 4 strokes, but I'd rather you hear it from him. He has driven EVERY conceivable set-up of Champion bay boats at the factory, and has been involved in lots of testing. He gets a new one every year, and each year the same thing--225 opti. He has no affiliation with merc, just works the best for that boat. PM me if you would like to talk to him--discussing these things is why he's on the Champion team, so he won't mind at all
agree with all above
i'm on my 2nd suz 4 stroke and love it, but on a heavy bay boat i'd get the opti
lookit this
2005 225 Optimax Mercury $11295
new, in the crate, at jacos marine in TN...they'll ship it to pirates marine in lockport, who'll then rig it for you. just did this with a 115 2 stroke & saved big bux
225 suzuki vs 250 suzuki 
