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 ? reasons why

(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?
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I will tell you that I am a Merc fan and was not going to buy a Yamaha. But then I found a 2000 203 Champion with a 200 Vmax. I have been very happy with the Yamaha and it is a fast motor when you need it. I think the HPDI gets better gas milage, but the Vmax does good in my opinion as well. Merc is a good motor and I am a fan of them too, I don't think you can go wrong with either really.

Someone did tell me that the 1999 or 2000 Optimax's had some problems. I never really checked that out much, so you might just want to ask some questions of reputable repair shops.

1) Honestly, both are good motors.

2) VMAX is an EFI motor. They don't make them anymore. HPDI's get better gas mileage and are a lot more expensive.

3) Steer clear of 1999-2001 Opti's. They still had some bugs to be worked out back then.

I posted on this a few months ago...here's my post and a link to the other post.

BunkFish

They both have there pro's and con's...this is what I know

Both my brother and I have the same boat Ranger 518VX. I have a VMax and he has a Merc Opti.

His is a dual console 99 with a 200 Optimax he will GPS 69.9 mph with both of us in it.

I have a single console (little lighter) 2000 with a 200 VMax that will GPS 65 mph with both of us in it.

I called Ranger and spoke to the tech that fine tunes the motors. He told me that we are both right on what they get out of them lake testing them brand new. Both are bone stock even the prop.

Basicly the Merc has a faster top end than my Yamaha on the same boat. The hole shot is the same we have raced comming out of the hole.

Now for the repair side of it. The only time I have ever had my boat in the shop was to have the water pump impeller replaced it has been trouble free for me (knock on wood). My brother on the other hand has had problem after problem with his motor. Oil pump went out over heating problems replaced all the screens and water pump. He had it the shop several times called Merc on it...bunch of problems.

My experience is the Merc EFI motor is slower than the Opti. About the same as my VMax.
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You can't beat a Yammy when it comes to performance, reliability, sound, heck, they even look cool. But one day my buddy and I were out in the middle of nowhere and his Yammy started acting up. Well, we couldn't find anyone to work on it. I can't tell you how many places we passed that had Merc techs. Parts were readily available for Merc's, but nobody could get the part for a Yammy.

When they work great, they're hard to beat. But when the day comes, hopefully the parts will be where you need them....in the shop.

My vote goes to Merc. It has never let me down. And, you can't beat the way they sound when they come out of the hole. Get behind one at the ramp and listen to the distinct growl that they have. Sounds like a 500 cubic inch Chevy when they put the hammer down.

I will say this, though. I have heard that the Chapion hull does run better with a Yammy.

Elite? How long? If it will take it, shoot for the stars and get the 250XS, or the 225XS as I hear that the XS models whoop the Yammy's like a red-headed step-child.

I have heard the Champ's run better with the Yamaha.

Chad...don't believe everything you hear though I got a 225HPDI that will run with the 225XS on the same boats. Maybe I got a hot one I don't know but I guarantee you it is no red headed step child. But don't get me wrong I could be just as happy with a 225XS as I am with my Hammer.

I think now all the big 3 are building good motors. I don't know that I would want any of the DFI motors that were a pre 2001 though, that is just me.

I would have to say go with the yamaha but if your interested look at the suzuki moters i believe they are a little cheaper and offer a 6 year warranty where as yamaha and mercury offer a 2 year warranty. I have a 150 suzuki and during the hurricane a tree fell right down the middle and busted the housing to pieces and when I cut the tree off of it, it started right up like nuthing happened to it.