How many hours would you guys consider to be " a lot" or too many on an optimax? Thinking about a used boat but unsure of how long these motors last

The amount of hours doesnt really matter. The amount of hours with no maintenance does matter. I do maintenance on my 91 evinrude every year and it still runs strong, cranks on the first try and never lets me down.I couldnt even begin to guess how many hours I have on it.

Optipop has a few problems. These problems may arise at any time. If there is good compression on all 6. The lower unit is in good shape, and the motor has not had many wrenches turned on it. Get it. 1000hours is a concern.

Id rather buy a boat thats been used/ maintained vs one that has low hours and has set for long periods of time

This. Especially HPDI's.

My dads has over 800hrs still runs strong keeps up with the maintance every year and doesn't run balls to the wall from point A to B every time out.

Get an Etec...

so he can go from a "might fail" to a "will fail"?

hahha shots fired!!

I've ran both Mercs & Rudes. Maintenance is the biggest priority. I'm like several others on here. I'd take an engine with more hrs that was maintained over a low hrs non maintained engine any day. I have a 94' Evinrude 200 Vindicator that is in excellent shape. No VRO. Premix my oil. Just had service done at R&R Marine in Pitsburg,Tx. Ready for another year. If it pops then I'll look for another motor. I don't care what brand it is, I've seen every brand fail & every brand has good ones. They are ALL machines & WILL or can fail at ANY time. Good luck in your search. Hope you get a good one to start with.

No issues with mine. Still have 2 years of warranty left tho.

Yep. Etec. You won't regret.

As long as compression is good and annual service has been kept up, even 500+ hours shouldn't be much concern. If one thing, the engines with high hours and no serious malfunctions have preven that they're not lemons and have a service history to evaluate. I have a 2003 EFI with 668 hours that just keeps cranking and running properly each year and all I do is recommended annual service and put stabil in the tank when I refuel. It seems that the longer they sit between use increases their chance of failure.

Yep, exactly. People fall in love with "low hours on motor" .....that's not necessarily a good thing. This is well said ^^^^^^

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