Best Motor For Under 10K

[spareparts]

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.

[phatdaddy]

friend of mine just repowered a 20 ft dusky w a 150 merc 4 stroke for around $13,000

[bigshrimpin]

150 4stroke merc is pretty close to 10k

I've been hording 2.4 and 2.5l stuff . . . there are deals out there.

[BuilderFL]

Eds Marine has these offer:
150 HP MERCURY OPTIMAX 25" $9,000
150L EFI 4S MERCURY $9,500
Will 25 hp make a lot of difference in my boat?

[phatdaddy]

on the dusky i mentioned, the hulls are very similar to v20's, there is a noticeable difference in 2s vs 4s as far as hole shot, acceleration & planing speed. that was with the same hp. if you drop down 50 hp and go 4s, you will be aware of it. the dusky is a fishing boat with 3 or 4 old fat guys on it, so speed is not important. if you do a lot of tubing, skiing, etc, it will be more of an issue. i'm sure you can ski & tube behind a 4s, but it's not going to pull up up like a merc 200.

on that same boat mpg went from 2 to 3.5

[reelapeelin]

Originally Posted by BuilderFL

Eds Marine has these offer:
150 HP MERCURY OPTIMAX 25" $9,000
150L EFI 4S MERCURY $9,500
Will 25 hp make a lot of difference in my boat?

Assuming these are new motors w/warranty, I'd go w/the Opti...great power and very fuel efficient...

You MIGHT miss some of the power between your old 200 and an Opti 150, but what you'll gain will help you get over it pretty quick...


Are those last year's models or something?

[THEFERMANATOR]

I would go with the 4 stroke for the long run. OPTI's worry me with all of the compressor issues I've read about, and air injector problems once they get some hours on them. The weight difference between those 2 engines isn't much(about 25 pounds according to the MERCURY site), and either one will put you about 100 pounds heavier than your current 2.4L. The OPTI will probably be better on fuel, but for the long run I would want the 4 stroke.

[randlemanboater]

Originally Posted by THEFERMANATOR

I would go with the 4 stroke for the long run.... but for the long run I would want the 4 stroke.

Me too!!!!