Thoughts on these engines. Merc opti-max or Honda?

[gss036]

I think I am down to 2 engines for repower. 2008 225 hp Merc Opti-Max, 30" leg, using most of my guages etc and prop. Need new harness. Remove and reinstall new engine $16,000 out the door.
OR! 2008 Honda 225Hp 30" leg, w/new installation hardware/guages, etc ( didn't ask about prop) don't know if my Merc 14 1/2 X 17 will work or not. Quoted $20,000 out the door.
The Honda is about 200 lbs heavier, really a good looking engine. I am installing on Seacraft 23WA, I don't think weight is a problem since it was orginally meant for use w/twin engines and rated for 300 HP.

 

[JB]

Re: Thoughts on these engines. Merc opti-max or Honda?

Take a look at the Evinrude ETEC before you decide on the Optimax or Honda.

If you are truly limited to the Opti or the Honda I would go with the Merc, based on the difference in cost..

 

[gss036]

Re: Thoughts on these engines. Merc opti-max or Honda?

JB, I hear you on E-Tec. I did talk with a dealer and he also sells Honda and he says he is not convinced over the short haul that they have had. Also both Merc guys said the same thing. Maybe it is just up here in our area.
It only took Rodboldt a few months to blow his powerhead on this new 150 E-Tec.
I have know this dealer for many years and trust his judgement, even though it is my money. My Merc 200hp carbed engine was a 1989 w/1990 power head. I blew the 1st power head @13 months/140 hrs.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Thoughts on these engines. Merc opti-max or Honda?

Why not a Yamaha?
If were buying new I would go Yamaha without a second thought.
The E-tec is a very good engine too.
Not heard alot good about Merc lately, in the last 10 years they have really fallen on there face, kinda like OMC did in the late 90s.
I work for a boat manufacturer and 10 years ago few boat left the plant with anything but a Merc then Honda came along, then Yamaha.
Now 90% are either Yamis or Hondas with the last 10% split between Merc,BRP, Suzuki ect.
Thats my 2 cents

 

[jevery]

Re: Thoughts on these engines. Merc opti-max or Honda?

The Optimax 225 lists for 13,500 (Ed's Marine Superstore) The Suzuki 250 lists for 12,000, and the 300 lists for 14,000. Is Suzuki not on your list of consideration? Dosen't look like many manufacturers offer 30" drives.

 

[gss036]

Re: Thoughts on these engines. Merc opti-max or Honda?

I talked w/a Suzuki dealer, they are crazy, quoted me $17,500 for a Suzuki 250. They were as bad the Yamaha dealer at 23K out the door for a 250 Yamaha. The Yamaha dealer wanted $500 to remove my old engine and $1200 for install of new engine. Unfortunately the Yamaha dealer also owns SeaSport boats, so they really don't care if they do repowers or not.
Anybody know of a Merc dealer in lower mainland of British Columbia, Canada?
Talked w/E-Tec dealer in Chilliwack, B.C., he says w/the dollar where it is it would be cheaper in the States now.
jevery, they are quoting me $14200 here for the Opti-max, which isn't bad considering the size of Ed's Marine.
We have to pay 8.4/8.8% sales tax here also. Depends on which town you are in.

 

[gss036]

Re: Thoughts on these engines. Merc opti-max or Honda?

Made a decison this AM. I found a Honda dealer with access to non-current 225 Honda /30" leg. His price to buy was right and he will remove my blown merc and reinstall the new Honda w/prop , guages etc & with 5 year warranty, for the same price I was being quoted for the 225 Merc Opti-Max.
I feel good about it and think I will be happy and content. I had almost done a deal on a 2008 Honda for just a little over 20k, so I am glad I checked around. Doesn't bother me for being non-current as it will probably be the last large motor I will ever buy.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Thoughts on these engines. Merc opti-max or Honda?

"It will probably be the last large motor I will ever buy"

That's a little fatalistic. Honda owners are rarely attacked and killed by their engines

 

[gss036]

Re: Thoughts on these engines. Merc opti-max or Honda?

Maybe it is a little fatalistic, but dreaming is ok too. We have a large (18 miles long) lake here, I can't even take my boat on the lake w/the 2 stroke engine, so now , if this pans out, I can "go to the lake and flush my motors". Even fish.

 

[HighHook23]

Re: Thoughts on these engines. Merc opti-max or Honda?

Made a decison this AM. I found a Honda dealer with access to non-current 225 Honda /30" leg. His price to buy was right and he will remove my blown merc and reinstall the new Honda w/prop , guages etc & with 5 year warranty, for the same price I was being quoted for the 225 Merc Opti-Max.
I feel good about it and think I will be happy and content. I had almost done a deal on a 2008 Honda for just a little over 20k, so I am glad I checked around. Doesn't bother me for being non-current as it will probably be the last large motor I will ever buy.

Whats the difference between "current" and "non-current" Honda BF225's??

I thought they did away with the model years?...You mentioned a 2008, what year is the "non-current" 225?

I also thought the engine has been the same since its intro in 02....is it not??

Im slightly confused

 

[gss036]

Re: Thoughts on these engines. Merc opti-max or Honda?

Yes, they are all the same, but evidently Honda had/has not made the decision to do away w/years yet. Any way, mine is about 1 1/2 yrs old, w/a brand new 5 year Honda non-declining warranty. The real difference was about $5,000.00 out of my pocket. I kept my old motor for 19 years and hope to do the same with this one, even though I will be starting my medi-care in about 11 days.
With the price of gas, this thing has to do better than 2 miles per gallon, so maybe I won't feel the gas crunch as much. Gas here is about $4.25 @Costco to $4.53 @ Shell/Chevron/Union 76/Exxon, etc.

 

[Kev144]

Re: Thoughts on these engines. Merc opti-max or Honda?

Sounds like you did great! Congrats on the new Honda. Good lookin motors! I really don't know what hte one guy was talking about, i still see merc's all over. I know what you mean about the old mercs though, I still have my 89 blackmax 150hp. 600 + hours and still runs and looks like it came hot off the factory.

 

[gss036]

Re: Thoughts on these engines. Merc opti-max or Honda?

I had the boat out today and water was pretty choppy, maybe 3 ft at times, I am really impressed w/the sound and power that this engine has. I got through the chop and some sheltered water and was running 25-26 mph w/3800 RPM. Now I need to figure out how fuel this thing consumes. Open it up for just about 10 seconds and it jumped up to 5400 RPM.

 

[PETE BUTZEN]

Re: Thoughts on these engines. Merc opti-max or Honda?

Hello I am also repowering , etech / honda ? leaning to honda , 2002 ff trophy 3500 lb dry / 150 hp max . tell me good things . I could go 175 hp but honda does not offer . Pete

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Thoughts on these engines. Merc opti-max or Honda?

Really not good to drag up a 3 year old thread. Please start your own thread.

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