Another " how fast " discussion
 

Probably won't get answers to this one..........

Anyone running a V or V21 with a newer Merc Optimax 225 ?

No, I'm not buying an Opti. I believe the Opti 225 may provide the greatest top end speed of all 2 stroke outboards, so this may the " maximum" power outboard to rig to a V.
There are larger, but not within the hp rated spec.

I'm guessing 55 mph WOT based on report of 200 HO Etec V21 hitting 52mph.

Ridgerunner has a 250 OPTI on his V-20 center console.

I run a 200 Yamaha 2 stroke on my V21 and get 48-49M WOT. With two men and a boat load of gear and ice. Wounder if I could hook up a Nitro bottle to her :head::head:

Might be over kill but I just ordered two for the back end of the V. Now to fab a motor bracket for them.:cen: I want one!!!!!

Make sure it is a mega flotation bracket as those babies weigh over a thousand pounds a piece.

I think it also depends on wether the 225 Optimax is a carb or fuel injected. I beleive the carb models offer more speed but the fuel injected model offers much better fuel efficiency but a lower top end. I do not know what the 225 Ridge took off was. But when he went to the 250 he reported a little bit lower top end. If my sponson and bracket idea works i will be hanging a 225 carbed Opti on my V20 after the rebuild.

Took off a 250 EFI weight of 465 lbs (No oil tank, oil injection removed. I believe it was a stock motor but came from a guy that builds hot rods. It has balls.)

Bolted on a 250XS Optimax advertised dry weight lightest model of 505 lbs (add 3 gallon oil tank to the stern full of oil plus the extra 5" of length in the mid stepping up from the lightest short shaft model to the 25") I would call it closer to 550 lbs in reality.

Dropped 5 mph (down to 58 from 63). But I did get some of it back with a slight working of the prop. Now it will do 60 when light and aired out. All around mileage is about 5MPG best as I can tell. I like top end, I love the 40-50 MPH cruising speed. The ability to tow another 20' boat on plane with the additional hp is cool but near useless most of the time. The sternheavy feeling of having the 40 gallon baitwell full of greenies with three people on board, not so cool.

The EFI's suck the fuel like no tomorrow. So do the carb motors. Was getting around 2 MPG if lucky with the 250 EFI.
All Optimax motors are direct injected with a seventh piston (the one in the compressor that provides the air for complete fuel atomization directly into the combustion chamber. Another thing about the XS Opti versions, some are limited at 6100 rpm and some are limited to 5800 like a stock Opti. I have the latter. Every now and then when I push it hard I will get an alarm for overspeed at 5900 rpm. Fist time it happened was an eye opener.

I think the 3.0L Optimax motors are great, provided your rig can handle the weight. The 225 Opti on the Whaler was a fine motor. Adequate for most, twin 150's would have been ideal although more costly to own and I am not sure 1x150hp engine would have put it on plane without a prop change.

As for the 225 Optimax and rated hp. I think the 1983 was only rated for 200 hp. The v-20 was definitely not intended for motors woth so much hp torque or weight. The way the transom was designed and how the stringers were cut down at the transom it was never intended for setback brackets and big hp. They designed them for the hp de jour.
Love hp threads.. Thanks Bgreene.

I think that cruise ability at 40 - 50 mph is fantastic.

My V21 tops out at 40 with the 150 hp Evinrude.
Adaquate, especially considering most of the conditions I boat in don't allow higher speed cruising. The typical " calm" ocean around here ........... 25mph is a very respectible cruising speed, and comfortable.

That plus I don't beat the C out of my boat.

Funny - where I fish, " how fast " doesn't matter because the ocean is rerely calm enough for comfortable cruising over 30 mph.


The " sweet spot " on a calm ocean day is more like 25 mph !!

It's you lake guys that can really mess with top end once and a while.

I have a 200 Rude on the back and can only get around 38 MPH at WOT but mind you when I punch it I come straight out of the water like a trident missle.

But yeah, I gots issues, prop issues. Plan to rectify that this year.

I have the opposite issue....what prop are you running?

Assuming the engine's got proper compression, i figure you should run at least 45mph when you get it sorted out.

Its a 14.5x17, I believe I'm going to a 14.5x19 hoping that will bring my RPM down (around 6300 trimmed out) and increase my miles per gallon. Right now I average around 2.3 mpg when I run offshore.

Either your prop is toast, or your tach is way off. A 17 pitch should have you running in the 50's at 6300RPM's. I spun a 15.5" X 17 on my old HYDRA-SPORTS at 5600 which took me up to 53MPH.

Im 50+ at around 56-5700, BUT I feel like I need to get more bow out of the water....I can trim her till she cavitates and still need more lift

I really wish I knew, I bought the engine last year, just rebuilt after my 225 rude shredded the splines in the crankshaft. That setup also only ran around 38 with just myself on a glassy day. I agree I should at least be in the mid 40's. Two GPS's told the same story, pig.

Its gotta be the prop and the prop is in good shape stainless, no dings or chips. Maybe not the pitch but the diameter. I wish I could rent a prop to get the right combination of diameter and pitch.

I gotta say it is nice being able to stand her up in 3-5's in the inlet with a low wave period.

What prop do you have draglink?

14 1/4 x 19 SS, ive tried a few different props but always come back to this one

Yup, with 225 hp in proper running order, and assuming your boat's same - not carrying an extra 1,000lbs water etc..............you should run over 50mph. The various 150hp's push the V21 to 39-42 mph. I get a little over 40 with mine.

FWIW, my V-20cc with a 1999 Merc 225 Saltwater series (carbed motor) with jackplate did 53 mph wide open with 60 gallons of fuel and me. You should have seen the look on the doofus on the jet ski when I passed him ... priceless.

I was turning a 15 1/4 x 19p 3 blade stainless no name prop @ 5600 rpm. Had just a touch of trim tab, motor trimmed out and at max elevation on jackplate. Oh yeah, I also had the bimini up and there was a bit of a breeze and a very light chop. The prop was kind of blown out. My guess is that there was another 2-3 mph with a better prop.

My understanding is that the Opti is actually more stout than my carbed motor. I'm looking for a late model (07 or later) 250 opti for the back of the Short Bus. She should scream with that and I should see a doubling of my mileage. I hope so because 2mpg sucks (fuel).

My local shop let me try one to make sure it was right, then as long as there was no damage to it he would exchange it till i got the right one. first i tried a 17 then i ended up with a 15. Use to be in the high 30,s full load with a 175.

Sea Ox does mid 30's now with a 200 HDPI its a heavy boat!

I think I'm going to try a 15 x 19 aluminum and if that fits the bill then buy the stainless. Hope to get in the mid 40's and more importantly get that RPM below 6100 while still maintaining some punchability.