Best Reliable and Fuel Efficient 2 Stroke DFI Outboard Engine, Used?

[beginnerboater22]

Hi,

I am buying my first boat in South Florida, and have decided on a 18-20 center console. My purpose will be mostly to cruise in the bay, do a little fishing in the ocean, and every once in a while tube or wakeboard. I am looking for what you guys would consider to be the most reliable (least maintenance required) and fuel efficient 2 Stroke DFI outboard that I can look for when buying a used boat. From my research it appears the Mercury Optimax 150 or 200 from 2004+ is great. Also heard that all Evinrude E-tec's are great. Any other year/brand engine going to also be a good one to look for?

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Best Reliable and Fuel Efficient 2 Stroke DFI Outboard Engine, Used?

Tohatsu TLDI, the only issue is they don't make larger than 115 HP, probably too small for your application.

Happy Boating

 

[beginnerboater22]

Re: Best Reliable and Fuel Efficient 2 Stroke DFI Outboard Engine, Used?

Tohatsu TLDI, the only issue is they don't make larger than 115 HP, probably too small for your application.

Happy Boating

Thanks, unfortunately that is so hard to find in the used market.

I'm having trouble finding a decent priced center console that has a 2004+ optimax or etec, so are there any other year/models you would recommend for reliability and gas mileage?

 

[beginnerboater22]

Re: Best Reliable and Fuel Efficient 2 Stroke DFI Outboard Engine, Used?

Also what are everyone's thoughts on rebuilt engines? Many have engines on their boats from like 1998-2000 that were "recently rebuilt" how can you tell if the job was a quality one, is that something I should avoid?

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Best Reliable and Fuel Efficient 2 Stroke DFI Outboard Engine, Used?

You'd do best to avoid rebuilt motors unless you have a best friend with many years of experience to do the rebuilding. In South Florida, most motors are salt water motors. I would prefer to buy a fresh water engine.

For your use, I would be looking at the four stroke Yamaha F150. They're very, very reliable motors and would be considered the standard of the industry. They're smooth, quiet and get very good fuel mileage. I'm running one on a 24' tritoon boat, and am seeing 40 mph @ 6000 rpm's with a 15 pitch Yamaha Reliance prop.

But if you're running full throttle at all times, a 2 stroke would be the one to get. I prefer the Mercury Optimax Pro XS motors over the ETEC's as they're cheaper to buy and there are more Mercury mechanics and dealers out there.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Best Reliable and Fuel Efficient 2 Stroke DFI Outboard Engine, Used?

You'd do best to avoid rebuilt motors unless you have a best friend with many years of experience to do the rebuilding. In South Florida, most motors are salt water motors. I would prefer to buy a fresh water engine.

For your use, I would be looking at the four stroke Yamaha F150. They're very, very reliable motors and would be considered the standard of the industry. They're smooth, quiet and get very good fuel mileage. I'm running one on a 24' tritoon boat, and am seeing 40 mph @ 6000 rpm's with a 15 pitch Yamaha Reliance prop.

But if you're running full throttle at all times, a 2 stroke would be the one to get. I prefer the Mercury Optimax Pro XS motors over the ETEC's as they're cheaper to buy and there are more Mercury mechanics and dealers out there.

I don't think you can realistically avoid salt water motors nor do you need to worry about that; a fresh water motor is preferable if you get lucky but salt water is not a deal breaker.

As for "more Mercury mechanics" that's a regional thing, but I think it's important to buy a motor brand that has good mechanics locally; you might be in Yamaha or OMC territory instead.