bullet proof but when they do break lookout and dealers are few and far between plus Hondas dealer support blows

If you are thinking of up grading i would defenatly go with a 4-stroke. As far as brand, I not sure you can go wrong with any of them. I have a '02 140hp suzuki that runs like a top.
If you are going to base your decision on transom weight then you should go with the verado, it is only about 10 lbs heavier than the opti.
Also IMO it cost less to run a 4-stroke as compared to a 2-stroke for a few reasons, one being fuel econimy, and another being oil consumption. When it comes to maintenance, oil and filters aren't hard to change, they have been doing it for years in the auto industry.

And for the fellar that has a problem with the coast guard using Honda engines, I guess the AMERICANS working at Honda factories in the US are communist.
Just sayin.....

Went out in this guys boat and he likes them alot...the Verados. I have a Honda 150 for lakes and like it but your application is different.

This thing would fly.

i wouldnt say their commies. ive lived in japan for work,never saw a ford, chevy, dodge, mercury or evinrude. the point is they buy their own product which keeps their jobs secure.they may employ a few of us, but its nothing compared to how many of them we employ.

Maybe they just like things that last.....

Honda and Suzuki parts are thin and very expensive. Qualified techs are hard to find.

Yamaha has a much better parts/service structure, especially on the coast.

thats not what i expected to hear from a self proclaimed "fastguy"

The boat used to run a 225 pro max with a 15" center section and a sportmaster lower unit that had been modified for an Allison.
Best speed was 92.3 on the gps
After it blew up the second time I changed to a F150 Yamaha 4 stroke. I paid right at $11,000 for it with the controls,prop and Yamaha information gauges.
I sold most of the parts from the old engine on Screamandfly.com, over $7,000 worth of used Mercury parts, still have the block. There is a great demand for used Mercury high performance parts.