Mercury 200 Optimax

[Mark O.]

I'm looking at a couple boats with 2004 - 2005 Mercury 200 Optimax motors on them. The motors I am looking at are out of warranty, but have low hours on them and have been well taken care of. How have these motors been running for people? I know the 2000 - 2003's had lots of powerhead issues, but did they get them fixed by 2004? I know one person who had a 2004 225 blow a powerhead. Just trying to see if I should avoid these engines or not. I don't feel like paying for a new powerhead just after I buy the boat. Thanks for the input!

Mark

[Chickenfoot]

The 2000s and 2001s had some issues but by 2002 they were much better and many times more reliable. The motors that you are looking at are very solid and awesome performers.

[Hombre Robusto]

If you have even a few friends that are into boats, you'll always hear of a horror story about 'brand X,Y, or Z'

In my opinion, there isn't a better, more reliable motor out there than the Optimax.

[gitrdone]

very good engine!

[Rlcrouse]

My 02 has been flawless.

[Excaliber]

If you have even a few friends that are into boats, you'll always hear of a horror story about 'brand X,Y, or Z'

In my opinion, there isn't a better, more reliable motor out there than the Optimax.

That might be your opinion but it's definitely in the minority. Do a search anywhere and you'll see more issues with the Optibomb than any other motor.

[SteveJ]

That might be your opinion but it's definitely in the minority. Do a search anywhere and you'll see more issues with the Optibomb than any other motor.

PLease enlighten us on the source of your statistics. Not aware that anyone has designed the perfect marine engine yet, but I am not aware of Opti failure rates that exceed any of their competitors.

[Excaliber]

Are you serious? Do a search here or a Google search. They don't call them Opti-Bombs for nothing.:muahaha:

[SteveJ]

Are you serious? Do a search here or a Google search. They don't call them Opti-Bombs for nothing.:muahaha:

My comment was about failure rates, I did not say they don't fail. I am not aware of a marine engine manufacturer that has never had a motor fail. That doesn't make all of their motors bad. I am not aware that the Opti's have a higher failure rate than their competitors.

A "Google search" won't qualify as legitimate research for anyone with a background in science. If you are going to make a generalized statement about reliability you will need to know the failure rate for Opti's versus their competitors. The relatively likelihood of failure is far more usefull in formation than an unsubstantiated generalized statement.

I am not a fan of Mercury outboards, no member of my family has ever owned one. However, I wouldn't hesitate to purchase either an Optimax or Verado today.

[Excaliber]

Failure rates are a hard thing to track and prove. Having owned several outboards myself, Mercury's were the worst. My Honda's and Yamaha's were flawless.

You dont see anyone calling Yamaha's FBombs, Honda's VBombs etc. The Verado seems like a very good engine. I test drove one. If it wasn't for my previous issues with Merc's or their reliabillity issues of the past I might try a Verado.

[guest]

I've had more luck with my Mercs. My Yamaha 200 hpdi was a smoking pile.

[darin]

All brands have had issues... Even HONDAS (02 sensors were causing all sorts of problems a while back). This argument comes up a lot... The mid to late model Opti's a fabulous... Obviously if someone's had one bad experience they're not going to say much good... but that doesn't mean that motor isn't any good... could have gotten a bad one OR maybe it wasn't taken care of...???? Opti's are awesome...

[East Shore Jon]

I have a 2003 200 hp Opti. I love it and will buy another.

[erie addict unlogged]

I have a 2003 Opti 200, 667 hours. Bought new with my 2025 provee IFS .i have had one ECU replaced (under warranty), one air compressor replaced (under warrenty) one trim unit rebuilt, (not under warranty) and just last month, had to get the motor "decarboned" and plugs replaced. New plugs were installed this Spring. It all of a sudden started pinging and missing.
Great running motor, when it is running, but it has stranded me more than once on Erie. I don't think i would do black (opti) again.

[turtle chain]

Guy's you all know the early years of the opti max were junk mostly the 200 an above the fickt evenrude's were junk and they went belly up and didn't back there motors or there dealers left them high and dry, All this is a product of going green these manufactures had troubles making there motors lean at first and I mean 2 stroke motors not 4 stroke motors,The 2 stroke motors may be doomed even know they get better gas milage and have a ton of power .The efi and carb motors were the bomb but I love my 175 opti pro xs and it is not a bomb at all

[Ranger619er]

I have a 2005 200hp Optimax and I love this thing. Starts everytime and sounds like a muscle car in the marina with no smoke. There is a reason that Mercury advertises themselves as #1. I bet if you were to do the research, you would find out that there are more Mercury's on the back of boats than any other manufacturer.

Also, J.D. Power and Associates "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Two-Stroke Outboard Engines" (OptiMax 2006, 2007, 2008).