end of era for Merc 2.5 Hi-perf PH (no longer avail)

[97 TWISTER]

Around $8000 for a block, over $14000 for a rotating set up , minus electrics.

I better change the price on mine for sale

[Greg G]

Does this mean the 2.5 Xs motor is a thing of the past also ? Rich Martin 018

That is an interesting question given the 2.5XS was a full Optimax motor that was only offered in 2005. Do Opti's still get built?

[Lake rat Skater]

I think the opti's will be around for quiet a bit longer. They are clean enough and make up a huge part of the mercury lineup. I think think the only thing that we are going to loose is the beloved 2.5 280 and it looks like there may be a 4 stroke replacement http://www.xcatracing.com/xcats-back...this-december/

[Michael J Giesler]

The sad part is mercury racing has a direct injection drag/race motor they had it in. 2005 or 2006 but they decided to go 4 stroke unless there is a big campaign to keep them they will be gone and no more parts either everything will be nla I still have hope

[Onetime]

Around $8000 for a block, over $14000 for a rotating set up , minus electrics.

Is that for a 280 powerhead or the 200xs powerhead?

[Onetime]

The build orders for the 2015 SST and ROS were due like November 13th and they offered powerheads as well...however, prices probably went up 20% from last year.

That would be really nice if they offered drop on power heads of the 200xs. Wish they had six years ago when I was putting together 200xs ROS with a twenty inch offshore tower.

[Scream And Fly]

Does this mean the 2.5 Xs motor is a thing of the past also ?


Rich Martin 018

As far as I know, the entire Optimax platform is at its end in 2015.
Yamaha has taught the buying consumer that 4-strokes are better. I disagree with that, as I'm sure most of us do. It is what it is.
The proliferation of Yamaha into the consumer market has been staggering. Around here (South FL) it's nearly impossible to find a boat dealer not selling their packages without Yamahas. They're everywhere here. They make an excellent product, but we all know that high performance makes up a very small percentage of boaters. Around here most people want large fishing boats or deck boats, and they all have Yamaha 4-strokes on them.

[RBT]

As far as I know, the entire Optimax platform is at its end in 2015.
Yamaha has taught the buying consumer that 4-strokes are better. I disagree with that, as I'm sure most of us do. It is what it is.
The proliferation of Yamaha into the consumer market has been staggering. Around here (South FL) it's nearly impossible to find a boat dealer not selling their packages without Yamahas. They're everywhere here.

Doesnt help that mercs four strokes are crap, the verado is awful. Horrible on fuel, heavy and not near as reliable as yamaha.
Carl kiekhaefer is rolling in his grave.

[aggiestckl]

As far as I know, the entire Optimax platform is at its end in 2015.
Yamaha has taught the buying consumer that 4-strokes are better. I disagree with that, as I'm sure most of us do. It is what it is.
The proliferation of Yamaha into the consumer market has been staggering. Around here (South FL) it's nearly impossible to find a boat dealer not selling their packages without Yamahas. They're everywhere here. They make an excellent product, but we all know that high performance makes up a very small percentage of boaters. Around here most people want large fishing boats or deck boats, and they all have Yamaha 4-strokes on them.

Does that mean 300xs and all? Everything is done? Wow

[vnemous]

Greg Suzuki is also very popular down here. Up north not to many around. Last time we sold a 225 promax block to one of favorite customers, Tux, there were only a very few, single numbers left.

[aggiestckl]

Can anyone confirm last yr for 300xs

[Michael J Giesler]

Doesnt help that mercs four strokes are crap, the verado is awful. Horrible on fuel, heavy and not near as reliable as yamaha.
Carl kiekhaefer is rolling in his grave.

You are so right there my dad said the same thing Carl is definitely shaking his head as for the verado when they first started making them so of us got to see them going down the assembly line at the main plant when we got to the end of the tour the big wig from Brunswick and mercury marine asked us what we thought and one of the racers said congratulations you just made a $20,000 dollar boat anchor we laughed they didn't get it

[Greg G]

Does that mean 300xs and all? Everything is done? Wow

The 300XS is not going away as it is sought after and "compliant enough" to meet standards. The ROS 200XS Gen II is also staying but the path to acquire it is a little different as many folks have stated. I believe you need to put 50% down (non-refundable) when you place you name on the build list for the next year's allocation of 200XS motors which only come in 15". The Gen 2 200XS is a very potent motor. Guys overseas have dyno'd them at 245-247hp if I'm not mistaken.

Long live the 300XS ..............we hope.

[Rayzor]

I agree that I don't think we'll see the 300XS or 200XS go away in the next couple years. There's a lot of demand for both motors - the 300 to the pleasure market and the 200 to the racers - tunnel boats here and small offshore boats overseas. My guess is that the successors to these motors will be inline 4 cylinder turbo 4 strokes. Many of the auto manufacturers offer 2.0L turbo 4s that are putting out right around the 300hp mark. Even that motor pictured that the X-Cat teams built up looks to be based on the 4 cylinder merc 4 stroke, not the Verado 6 cylinder.

[myron]

from what I have been told none of the optis are clean enough, funny thing is Yamaha did the same thing in the motocross world and ruined it. Before if you 2 stroke bike blew up it would take about 500- 700 dollars to fix, with the 4 stroke when it blows up it at least 1500 - 2000 to fix, yet the public bought into it. Just wait till the 4 stroke outboards are out of warranty and you have to fix it.