2000 Mercury Optimax

[Barely Legal]

I have heard from a few people on this site that I better be careful when purchasing a boat with this motor on it. I was wondering if someone could let me know what went wrong with these Mercurys. Can I have a dealer check the problem area to see if it is in good shape?

[beeman]

Some people have mentioned optimax being optiblows hopefully they will respond.

[ffishman]

Try using this sites "search" to find the info you are looking for.

[Barely Legal]

Thanks for the tip on the search method.

I think I should stay away from this motor it sounds like.

[Tom Clatt Jr.]

The main issue with the 200 and 225 hp Optimax engines were blown heads. The 135, 150 & 175 hp Optimax engines did not have those problems. I hope this helps.

[Smitty]

The key is that you have to really assume no value for the outboard. If you do this and get a good one it could be the deal of a lifetime, if it pukes you have to put out the $$ that you didn't spend on the front end for another outboard. The downside is that you have to find another one and then eat the cost/labor to swap them.

I would say it would be a requirement to have a shop check it out and also see a service history. Who knows, the powerhead may have been replaced earlier in life with a good one??? Even if that's the case though, you really have to put little to no value when you consider purchase price (because that's what resale will be).

[FWW]

You didn't mention the hp of the Optimax engine. Which engine are you talking about?

[Barely Legal]

Mercury 225 Optimax

[Tom Clatt Jr.]

If it were me, I'd avoid this engine because of the known history of severe problems with the 200's and 225's.