merc engines

[throwback]

There recently was a post about merc verardo outboards and a few replies about merc engines in general. First let it be said that verados are decent engines but expensive and complicated . On the otherhand the optimax is far less complicated and the reality is the opti uses less fuel than the varardo runs just as clean and is far less complicated . I run my 225 opti on a 27 foot trophy pro and do about a dozen trips to the wash canyon per season and use about 70 gallons of fuel per trip. See my article in the July Aug Big Game Fishing Journal Small boat offshore fishing Va style. The most fuel I used on a trip was 88 gallons and that was on a 24 hour overnight trip deep into the norfolk canyon. I fish out of Chincoteague Va. Want to get a feeling for what works check out what watermen use. Down my way the guys who make a living on the water almost all use mercs. One guy I know has over 4000 hour on a opti and its still ticken. Some guys tried hondas had nightmare problems.
The reality of the situation is the 4 strokes were forced on the industry by uncle sam and the reality of the situation is they are not what there cracked up to be.
The downside of the opti is the cost of oil to perform well and last they require special oil which merc screws us on. No I don't own stock in merc but I operate a charter business- Magic Dragon Fishing Charters- and understand the bottom line. I also have a V20 and at some point plan to put a 200 opti on it just for fun. DON'T GET HUNG UP ON THE 4 STROKE MYTHS.

[Airslot]

Thanks for the other side throwback. I'm sitting on the shores of Chincoteague Bay now. What charter boat you run?

Airslot

[macojoe]

I operate a charter business- Magic Dragon Fishing Charters- and understand the bottom line. I

I have never and am still not covinced that 4 strokes are nothing more then crap!!

Give me a 2 stroke everytime!!

But I will pass on a Mercury if there is a Yamaha, Suzie, Johnson to be had first!

[Seacrets]

Had a trailer at Inlet View for 11 years. *Great place to raise kids. *I really miss Chincoteague. Do you know Kerry and Gary Howard, Tyrone and Weldon Bowden?

I also used to stay at inlet view and toms cove when the kids were small...I cant tell ya how many flounder we caught in the inlet and queens channel..I like 2 strokes also but the time will probably come when we cant get them anymore..Good luck and I wish you continued luck with your Opti, mine blew two powerheads in less than a year. After the third one it never ran above 4900 RPM's so I sold it to a crabber who put a large pitch prop on it ......Frank

[throwback]

Airslot run out of greenbackville -Magic Dragon charters-
Just kind of a fun thing to do. Keven Thorne Thornes Marine keeps my opti running . Back in Pa for a week or so will be back around the 10th . Had a decent year offshore when the wind was not blowing. Plan to rockfish a bit then call it a year.

[garycorbett]

Merc is garbage - buy any other brand - I don't care.

[garycorbett]

Sorry - I had several in years past - nothing but trouble

[Airslot]

Well, I don't think Mercs are junk, but we all have opinions. Throwback, we must know each other and not know it? I live a mile from Greenback in one direction and work a mile from it in the other. Talk to Perry about everyday. Some crazy things going on around here these days.

Airslot

[turbinedoctor]

I am the third owner of my 84 merc, its been rebuilt once about ten years ago and still running good. There are lemons in everything, Mercs, Suzy's, chevy's, dodge's and once in a great while even Ford. Dont be turned off by one bad experience.

There are many people of every outboard that swears by that brand only. The important thing is that you are happy with your engine.

As far as 4 strokes its the same thing, some like them others don't. I've never had one but would be willing to try one.

Turbo.