I've decided to buy another boat I know I want a Champion Elite but I'm undecided on the engine. I have a place on Fork and I see more Mercury's but Yamaha is a strong 2nd. I will need a 200-225 hp

Three questions:
(1)Yamaha or Mercury ?

(2)What is the difference between the Yamaha V-Max and the newer HPDI?

(3) I've found a 1999 Champion with a 1999 200hp Opti Max Mercury. Boat is show room clean with a claim of less than 50 hrs. Should I worry about the low hours and are there any problems with that year motor?

can only speak to #1.
my $0.02 is that most modern outboards are pretty equal you can get a lemon in any brand, i use to be a johnson/evenrude guy before they got bought out.
currently own a yamaha 115 and am very satisfied with it. my last mercury was a 20 hp tiller, had only one problem and that was a broken starter rope but that happened on its maiden voyage so it kinda stuck in my head.

Yamaha short and sweet. Look around and see what most guides are using? You are going to get alot of opinions. just my .02 CBW

harllley,

Ford, Chevy, or Dodge? You will find your self with the same question on Merc or Yamaha. Both are awesome powerplants. Some of the 250 and 300 HPDI's had issues in 2004 and 2005. But Yamaha took care of those customers really well.

Mercury is the largest outboard producer in the world. They have the most dealers, and easiest to get serviced. If you go on vacation and need a part, if one dealer doesn't have it, likely the next dealer a few miles down the road will.

With Yamaha, you might only have one dealer around. With an Evinrude, Honda, or Suzuki, you may have to drive hours to find a dealer.

I bleed black, but that is just my preference. Others will bleed grey and blue.

So just find the right boat for the right price, and enjoy.

FYI I have a 225 4 stroke saltwater series Mercury. The power head is made by Yamaha. Lower unit made by Mercury. The ignition key actually has Yamaha stamped on it. Go figure. Both motors are on an even basis IMHO, kind of like buying a refrigerator. They have different names stamped on them but the manufacturer may be the same

harllley,
They are all good (including the E-Tec). My suggestion is to go with either:
A. The motor recommended by the boat manufacture (since Champion is impartial, it is your choice). When you do this, you can usually save money on the package and the set up meshes a little better. An example would be BassCat, where any of the three motors could be put on, but they have a relationship with Mercury. If I were to buy a BassCat, I'd probably stick with a Merc.
B. The motor your dealer/mechanic considers his specialty. This is probably the most significant reason for picking one motor over another. In the example above, if I were to pick a BassCat, and the dealer I bought it from and planned to do maintenance with really pushed the E-Tec, I might go with the E-Tec.
C. The motor that meets all local restrictions you're concerned with. I'm not aware of anything here in Texas as far as emissions are concerned, but this certainly would matter in areas around California. I believe some require a 2008 compliance (Three-star rating), or four stroke only. If it's a four stroke only, then it's a no-brainer. Mercury Verado all the way.

Questions, questions questions.

1. Go to the back of the shop and talk to the lead tech, ask him what motor he likes working on best, and then ask him which one he'd buy if he was buying.

2. I've rigged plenty of both on champs, and the yamaha will out perform the mercury. Unless you're comparing the 225 XS to 225 HPDI, then it's even. The Yamaha lower unit design lifts the champ hull best. Not true on other hulls, but on the champ it's the deal.

3. Any mercury tech with a DDT can check actual engine hours, plus give you time at each rpm range, this along with a compression and seal test should give you a clue. It's worth the money to have a pro check it out.

Sooner or later you will have to do some kind of repair on either engine. other than the normal water pump, spark plug change etc,etc,etc, Price compare a couple of parts such as a rebuilt t-n-t or a rebuilt lower unit, It might help you decide which engine will be the least costly to repair. Both motors will give bacically the same in preformance and customer satisfaction, but when the warrantee runs out and the repair comes out of your pocket....$$$$..