Mercury Outboards - Page 2

throwback · #11 03-22-2005, 01:49 PM

First time Post.

Carl think about a merc optimax. I run a pair of them on a 27 footer and they have been flawless. I charter and run them hard . Some of the early ones took a bad rap but was mostly do to not using the correct oil. They require a optimax oil diet. The oil is abit expensive about 14/16 bucka a gallon which I buy bulk from a merc dealer.

I also have a 76 v20 which I have had for over 15 year. Had a stright six -290 cu in it- the IO just gave up the ghost and am in the process of converting to outboard. The hull is gutted engines drive wiring ect removed. I have a 200 opti wgich is going to get hung. The engine is a storm damaged salvage engine paid $4000 it runs fine and has 307 hours on it.

I have had the boat 30/40 miles offshore lots of times. Installed 40 gallon aux fuel. Boat used about 8 gallons an hour at around 14 kts. Expect the opti to do much better. Going to move fuel aft and probably can get about 80 gallons on board

reelapeelin · #12 03-23-2005, 09:37 AM

Throwback...you gonna go w/a bracket like Macojoe's or have you got another trick up your sleeve...?...I was thinkin' about the extra weight of bracket and bigger motor and 40 gals fuel(assuming you put it in the former engine well)...starting to sound a little stern heavy...

When you're done, I think that 200 Opti is gonna run that V20 like a scalded DAWG...l ;D

A buddy's got 2-200 Optis on a 28' Pro Cat...tops 50 mph(on GPS)...cruises 26 kts at 3,000 rpms and SIPS fuel along the way...

macojoe · #13 03-23-2005, 12:49 PM

If he got the same bracket as mine it will weight 140 pounds and that motor has got to be all of 400 thats 540 off the back. I have the 175 Yamaha and it 390 pounds so we are close.
I am not stern heavy at all!! The i/o is all of that weight, just moved out of the center. But it doesn't seem to make all that difference.
I was riding a little high but whe you trim the motor down it is perfect!

Here are a few pic's of it in the water! O the last pic is of BS, CB they took the pic's from BS wellcraft!!

The Boss!!

reelapeelin · #14 03-23-2005, 02:58 PM

Macojoe...I was thinkin' more "at rest" than runnin'...but considering OB+bracket+40 gals where I/O used to be, plus he's dealin' w/a full transom, you are right...he gonna be FINE 8)

Pictures, Carl...PICTURES...we gotta SEE 'em... ;D...

Did I mention pictures...?... :)...

Vic · #15 03-26-2005, 01:31 AM

Hey RAP. Throwback [img][/img]I have the 175efi on a bracket like MJs and she sits fine actually the water line is about an inch up the side when we are anchored. But I think the placement of the fuel tank makes a difference. Phatdaddy's boat has a 150 Merc and has a 60 gallon tank in the stern, he says he gets water in the scuppers when they are bottom fishin. My 84 has the tank forward. It does get the bracket and the bottom of the cowling wet when slow trolling. But I can plane out quick.

reelapeelin · #16 03-26-2005, 02:14 AM

Thanks, Vic...that's kinda what I was gettin' at...older hulls w/ saddles that add bracket and outboard and floor tank in former motor-well, might wanna consider pulling saddles and doin' twin tanks forward under seat boxes like mine to counter-balance things a bit...justa thought... :), but of course, no scuppers in oldies..."Git that dang bilge-pump workin', Lukey...!" ::)