there are supposedly some deals on new/old stock 175 Optis out there, you will need to find a volume dealer, check with bass pro, Eds Marine, Chat Lee, opr some one like that. $10K will only get you about 90 hp in a new fourstroke. I just quoted a 150 Yamaha for $12700(real good price), plus controls, harness, key switch and gauges(add $1500). If you're going to buy used, I'd stick with a 2.5 merc, keep your old one for parts. The 3.0L Mercs can be bought cheap, but they burn a lot of fuel. The OX yamahas burn about the same but bring a premium because of the offshore(out of the US) demand for them. Plastic carbs for the OMCs are out of stock and they aint making any more. I wouldn't touch a Ficht, Ram Ficht, or e-tec(ficht v3) on a dare.
|