View Full Version : 2002 Ranger 620/225 Opti
Walleyehawger
10-29-2002, 12:58 PM
I am picking up my new boat in a week. I got a great deal on the rig, but feel a little uneasy about the motor. It is a 2002 225 Opti with merc smart guages. I believe it is proped with a 23 tempest. Can anyone tell me how the 225 Opti's faired this year? My reservations are a result of the problems that I have heard people were having with 225 opti's in the past. Also as a side note, how many of you use this motor to troll with?
Thanks,
Walleyehawger
New ride Walleyehawger? Just ENJOY! :-)
waterfowler
10-29-2002, 02:33 PM
Transfer your warranties and enjoy a great boat. When the warranties end, worry about extending or trading the rig off. We all hear a lot of complaints about those black motors, but just think how many of them are on the water, running just fine. Enjoy the new ride!!!
Mark K
10-29-2002, 02:49 PM
Buy the extended warranty.Buy the extended warranty.Buy the extended warranty.Buy the extended warranty.Buy the extended warranty.Buy the extended warranty.Buy the extended warranty.Buy the extended warranty.
RHines
10-29-2002, 03:59 PM
How are you going to enjoy the boat when the engine quits working? All you have to do a search on this website using either Mercury or Optimax or a combination thereof to see how many guys are really having problems with these motors.
The absolute best part is when your Mercury Optimax motor blows up and it's past warranty is that all the guys that are now saying "just enjoy the boat and don't worry about it" are all going to be the one's saying "9 times out of 10 they fail due to operator error". After all Mercury's stance is generally to always blame the consumer. After all it's your fault if your stupid enough to buy anything with an Opticrap on the back.
The dealer I bought my boat from won't even sell a Mercury unless you force him to anymore. They even do the maintenance work for one of the pro's in the area. He stated "it's in the shop all the time". That was this year.
In closing. Since you already bought the boat. Buy the extended warranty! Buy the extended warranty!
Good luck! By the way the Ranger 620 is an awesome boat!
RHines
boatman
10-29-2002, 05:40 PM
I was also advised not to buy a Opti with my new rig. I have a 99 620 with a opti and I've put a set of spark plugs in it after 310 hrs and 3 years of use.Motor has been flawless, I have not used it for trolling. In 20 yrs of owning Mercs I have had good luck with them and I have no reason to switch brands. I certainly would'nt base my decision solely on advise from other people that have never owned one.My 2 cents
Jim Ordway
10-29-2002, 05:53 PM
I have been running that rig, with the 23 prop all season. You will love it. You will likely foul plugs if you run it at near idle rpms for a long time. If you are trolling 3+mph you may to ok, but I have been cautioned that low rpms are best served with the kicker motor. I did get a 5 year warranty when I bought my boat. If you haven't already done so, see if there is a warranty that will transfer. Many 2002s were sold with 5 year warrantys on the 225s.
Take care,
Quotes
10-29-2002, 07:40 PM
walleyeee
Guest User
Oct-20-02, 08:35 PM (CST)
8. "RE: OPTIMAX; 220 & 225 Hp."
In response to message #0
I'm sorry I ever got a opti. & no dealer wants it on tradein!!!!
I have tried????
RHines
If the motor was purchased by April 15th, it should have a 5 year warranty. That warranty is transferable to the next owner.
Enjoy the boat AND the motor. I've had zero problems with my Opti. It runs great, starts great, gets good mileage, does not smoke, it's smooth, and I have complete confidence in it. They had some problems in prior years. But I believe they have resolved these problems, and now build a solid motor. I'd own nothing else but a black motor!
Tight Lines All,
Shep
RHines Quotes
10-30-2002, 08:29 AM
bigfish1965
Charter Member
547 posts May-28-02, 10:01 AM (CST)
2. "RE: My Opti Blew Up Today"
In response to message #0
I have 2 buddies with the 225 and they both blew up. On guys blew up a month after the power head was replaced and now he's stuck with a pile of crap useless motor. This is very odd since Merc makes so many great motors.
Fish like there's no tomorrow, 'cause ya never know..
My advice would be do your own research. I had the same decision at the begining of this year for my 620. Don't just research here, but find as much info as you can from other sources. I think you will find some really bad experiences with every motor. Take into consideration cost/warranty/service. Good luck, and I'm sure you will love any combo on that boat.
boatman
10-30-2002, 05:12 PM
One other thing you may want to consider while researching this, is that Mercury also has a BIG market share. More outboards out there means more problems to be found as well. My 02 cents
HARSH
10-30-2002, 10:11 PM
Try a 21 pitch Tempest prop. - The 620 I used for one tournament showed a marked improvement in hole shot, top end ( RPM came up to where it should have been ) and the boat was easier to control in rough water when running midrange RPM and moderate speeds. Good luck with your new boat. Pete.
Walleyehawger
10-31-2002, 01:57 PM
Thanks for the tip. I just checked it out and it is actually a 21. I will be picking it up on Nov 11th now and hope to squeeze a few days in here before the weather gets too bad on Erie/Detroit River/St. Clair. This is my first glass boat, I have been waiting for two years, and can't wait to get in it! Actually I met you at the PWT a few years ago in Detroit. My friend and I had dinner with yourself and Mark Broderick. Anyhow thanks for the advice.
Erick
Erie-Man
11-01-2002, 06:55 PM
I got a 620/225 Opti this spring(1999) and feel that its the best boat for Erie that you could find. I wanted to say that it had a 21 Tempest Plus 3 blade and I couldnt get ovet 47mph. I put a 21 Trophy Plus 4-Blade ( small hub) and it runs 55-56 with the livewell full, rear deck, and 3/4 tank of gas. I noticed better handling and no blow-out on the prop in big waves as well.
Enjoy,
Erie-Man
A small point
11-02-2002, 08:12 AM
Mr Hynes, we all know about the s*it you have had to go through with your Opti. We all know there are a few guys with problems as well. I have run Merc all my life and have never had a problem with Merc or getting the minor things that went wrong, taken care of. But the fact is, there are many, many more that have had no problems at all.
Walleyehawger, the bottom line is, if you are buying the boat with an Opti, get the extended warranty!!! Chances are better than not, that you will not need it. But if you don't have it, and you do need it you are out of luck.
TimnIowa
11-03-2002, 05:37 AM
I never use mine to troll with and I very seldom run it at wot. This is my 2nd 620/225 and I haven't had any trouble at all with either one. Just go out and enjoy it and don't worry about it. It's too late now anyway
HARSH
11-03-2002, 08:45 AM
I would have the prop you replaced checked out. 21 Merc Tempest prop. achieved top end speed of 54.5-56.3 M.P.H. on the 620 Ranger, 225 Optimax combination I ran at RCL Winnebago tournament. This was with tournament load. Something has to be wrong with setup if your quote of only 47 M.P.H. is accurate. Top end speed was taken off X-15 GPS. Engine rpm was 5600 at WOT.