Sorry if this isnt allowed, mods. Curious what is the best route in finding a low hour 2 stroke for repower?

TIA,

What year/make is the current motor and what's wrong with it? Only reason I ask is that you might be better off getting a rebuild depending on what you've got. That would come with a warranty and a used motor probably wouldn't.

Check with some of the sponsors on here. A lot of guys are selling cheap to upgrade to the new 4 Stroke
Also check BassBoatCentral, there are always some listed there.
I’d also check with your local dealerships, some may have trade ins where guys have upgraded

Not a thing, yet. lol Its a 2001 225 Opti on a 2000 223 Champ. 350hrs, and honestly hasnt really ever left me hanging. I do maintenance every year and take dang good care of it, but I cant help but get knots in my stomach knowing it's 19 years old and bound to hang itself soon. I dont run it hard, mainly for this reason.

I've got a 1989 Champion 201 with a 1989 Mercury 200 Black Max that has over 1000+ hours on the hour meter and it still runs great with no issues so far.Always do the recommended maintenance and has the orginal powerhead also.

I've got a 1997 Evinrude Intruder 115. Replaced the power pack once, VRO pump once, and that's it in 23 years. I have zero motor concerns when I go to the lake. Can't find fish concerns? Probably. Can't get them to bite if I find the concerns? Sure. Will end up breaking the line if I ever get one on a hook? Absolutely. Motor - nah

At that rate in another 20 years when you have 700 hours it will almost be broke in.

I have a 2001 Ranger 518VX Comanche with a 2001 200 Optimax that has 416 hours on it. It was bought used (1 previous owner) with 325 hours. At about 330 hours I noticed it loosing top end speed and was not performing as it should. It was taken in and we found out the reeds were coming apart. It cost about $2,300.00 to fix the reeds and some other things such as a good check-up, water pump, coil. It now has 416 hours and I run it like it is a new motor. On a barge (Ranger) it runs 65 to 67 mph fully rigged for fishing with both gas tanks full or almost full. In doing some research I discovered the 2000 and 2001 Optimax had a class action lawsuit filed against Mercury. I have owned the boat for 2 years now. If you would like to talk more about the motor you can PM me and we can talk by phone. Hope this helps you in your decision making.

Pat Haley

In answer to the OP question you should call around to marine dealers. There are a lot of low hour two stroke Optis in the marketplace. I know of several guys that took 2 year old motors off to put the v8 4 stroke on.

There are some 2 strokes for sale on BBC. http://www.bbcboards.net/forumdisplay.php?f=19

Duck River Marine in Columbia, TN keeps a lot of used 2 stroke inventory. Ask for Clark Arrowood or Brian Dodge. As far as your motor, the best route is to run it til it blows. Don't fix what isn't broken. And lastly... Mr. Haley above, I sure hope they did a lot more to your engine than reeds, a water pump, and a coil for $2,300. As a marine dealer who specializes in service work currently, make sure your dealer is being honest with you. That's pretty steep.

You are probably correct. They did do more to the boat just can’t remember as it has been 2 years. I think there was some oil bought and other goodies.

yessir, been checking there as well. Hoping to stumble onto one with under 100hrs, original powerhead, original lower unit. Ideally a 250xs, if the unicorn exists.