I'm looking at a boat with a 2001 Mercury 125 HP Two Stroke. Does anyone have any experience with this motor, good, bad, or other? I did a search and came up with not much. Thanks for any input. Edit....I'm also looking at a boat with a 2005 Mercury 90HP Opti. Same Question about the Opti

Owned a Lund with one for three years and a friend I fish with has one he is still running. They are the carbed variety but a very reliable motor were produced by Mercury for years. They like gas and can be a little cold blooded in cool weather but once warmed up start well. I would not be afraid of one.

No reason to be afraid. I had a 115 2+2 and loved it. A great motor.

The 125 is a 2+2 outboard (cuts down to 2 cylinders at idle / low speed). I have an uncle that has one, and it's been a good engine for him. The only thing I noticed, which may or may not matter to you, is that when pulling the kids in a tube there is a "dead spot" right at the point where it transitions from 2 to 4 cylinders. If you power through it then it's not really noticeable, but it seemed to be right about at the point we were trying to run with the tube. On the other side of the fence, it has an advantage if you're going to be trolling with the big engine because it'll drop to 2 cylinders which would possibly let you run slower and use less gas (not sure on the slower part, I've not tried it and that would depend on whether the RPM's drop).

All depends on what you're looking to do with it, but everything I've seen or read indicates they are pretty reliable. If you do a lot of trolling I'd suspect you might need to blow the cobs out on occasion..

1800 RPM is where this motor switches from 2 to 4 cylinders. If you try to run it at 1800 RPM the motor gets "confused" and will continuously switch back and forth between 2 and 4 cylinders, hence it runs rough at this RPM. So don't run it at 1800 RPM and you are fine! I had a 1999 100HP 2+2 (same motor) that I ran for 9 years with ZERO problems.

My current boat is a 2001 with a 2001 Merc 125. Runs great, no problems here.

I had a 1998 115 for 4 years. A little cold blooded, but ran good. I thougth it pulled cranks perfectly. Only thing that really p'ed me off was the constantly leaking lid to the oil tank. Learned to just keep it half full. I wouldn't be afraid to buy one. good luck.

I just closed the deal on a 2000 Starcraft 17 foot 1709 Fish & Ski with the 2001 Mercury 125 on it. As a condition of the sale I took the rig to my local Mercury Service Center and they did a compression check on the motor and it passed with flying colors. The mechanic echoed what you guys have been saying that these are very good motors so I am well pleased. I kept my fishing boat so this rig will be used for pulling tubes, skiers, and just cruising around the lake. Thank you all for the comments, they were very helpful and I appreciate your input. Now I'm going to play with my new toy!

take some advice from a person thats had hard earned experience with merc. buy a different manufacturer, except of course a Chrysler, which everyone should be aware of.

I recently traded my Lund with a 125 saltwater. It was an awesome motor. Sometimes tough to get started on a cold day, but once it warmed up, I never had any trouble. The switching between 2 and 4 cylinders takes a bit to get used to, but not a big deal. I would not be afraid of that motor at all.
Jeremy

I belive they have more power than other brands say 115hp, plane out quicker. Only problem ive had with mercury product is fuel diaphram. Once i learned what the fuel pump did, i cracked it open found a small rubber twised around that was all. Once replaced ran purfect again. Called fuel diaphram Kit $20. Id preffer a yamaha 115hp but you can't be so stuck on motor its getting the right boat. If anything deserves a good bashing is bass boats like ranger,skeeter.

You guys are posting on a thread that is from August, 2008.

I have a 2001 125 saltwater classic outboard . Never had a problem with it . It's been 11 years now. I never had to even work on it . Just spark plug to pretend that I'm working on it. About to repaint it and replace sticker on it. Nothing else to work on . I would have to say that there is nothing bad to say about this style moter . (classic ) cabarator's style.

This thread just won't die! :)

This thread just won't die! :)
:) Just like the Merc 2+2 (Sorry - had to do it)

Good one TV!

I have a 2003 125 2+2. The motor screams. Runs my 17' Lund to 45-47 w/ stainless prop. It does like gas (2 stroke), pretty good on oil, starts well in cold, takes a little time to warm up, mine is fussy on hot days with choke/no choke, otherwise great motor. I have noticed that trimming motor down makes starting easier.

Only 1 repair in 9 years. Starter solenoid. I run my boat hard and it's been great.

If the Merc lasts as long as this thread there should be a lot of happy boaters out there! WOW