I'm thinking about buying a boat with a 2000 mercury optimax 225, I have always been told that I need to stay away from them, but no one has ever told me why. Can't find much on the reviews on this motor. Hoping for ya'lls help, to give me the pros and cons and what to look for. I know boat motors pretty well but never had an optimax is the fuel economy really all that?

Thanks again for any info.

I just had one pull out of my parkinglot same yr and HP almost 500hrs still running good

Thanks for the info. Martin pro

good mota.

the 225 pro xs is a lil stronger. nothing wrong with a straight opti.

If you are used to a carb engine then yes you will tell a big difference in the fuel consumption. It will also out do the HPDI.

Had two on the back of a 32 foot Fountain center console. Would run 45 miles out consistantly. One engine meet with an early demise but you have to blame the pecan tree that jumped out behind us while backing up. The other had 849 hours on it when we sold the boat, and it's still running strong today. We never had any problems with either motor. Fuel economy on those two 225's was waaaaaaaaaaay better than the 175 Yammy that powered a 21 foot boat that I had. Fact is we got 1 mile per gallon running both 225's at 50 miles per hour offshore and got 1 mile per gallon on the yammy running 28 mph offshore........no brainer.

I have a 225 opti on my 08 BassCat, getting close to 200 Hrs. and have had no issues. I would buy another one in a heartbeat.

Thanks to everyone, I guess there not as bad as I have heard in the past. Y'all all helped make my decision. Looks like if things work out in going to have a opti.

I have a 150 Optimax, just had it serviced. 190hrs, plugs looked new. Was told they have seen Opti's with 400 hrs on the original plugs. Knock on wood I have not had any issues and I do have to say that mine is good on fuel, as far as boats go.