Mercury OptiMax 225 Pro XS???

[Ing]

I'm about to purchase a new 2005 OptiMax 225 Pro XS. This engine comes with a 20" mid, Torquemaster gearcase, runs on 87 octane, 3 Star CARB rating and 3 year warranty. The engine will power a 21' Vee hull, approx 2000lbs with engine. Anyone have any opinions pro or con?

[150aintenuff]

I would personally go with the 250XS simplly because it has had some market time on it and there is a reliability history... even though the OPTIMAX system has been around for 10 years it seems that every new modle has some growing pains and bugs in it for some reason or the other... and I am not one to buy a product the first year it is out to market...JMHO

[Ing]

Thanks. I agree about first year offerings. I've ruled out any engine that requires 91 octane or better. I had a PM300 and although the Opti250XS would certainly be more gas efficient I do not want to deal with buying high octane fuel again.

[C-Webb]

If lower octane rating is an important factor for you then ProXS will be ideal choice... It's a 3.0L and revs 6000+

[150aintenuff]

true BUT it is also another 1st year offering...... what about the 225 HPDI or 250 HPDI yammy.... same power range low test fuel and good power without being brand new engine offerings..... just a thought....... but if willing to try a new model pro XS or 225 XS would be good choices minus the fact of 1st year teething pains...

[1BadAction]

i dont think the first year thing applies to the 225XS, its basically a tuned up 225 opti.

[150aintenuff]

true... BUT who knows what has been done to "tune them up" that may effect first year reliability...... ther is always some teething pains even if they are minor or of no fault of the engine... it ultimatly comes down to dealer knowlege of how the new products change or affect the setup that cause most of the teething pains.... if he were to buy from someone like Jaco's or other HP dealer those problems would be limmited however ther is always a learning curve with each new product brought to market...

[Ing]

All valid points. Thanks for the advice.

[jimmyb]

actually, npartin, it is a detuned 250XS, so there really isnt any "growing pains"

:P

same head castings, same pistons, same fuel rails, same front end, etc etc.

the block has slightly different porting from a 250XS though and obviously the fuel calibration is unique to the 225 pro XS

[150aintenuff]

the block has slightly different porting from a 250XS though and obviously the fuel calibration is unique to the 225 pro XS

there is where the growing pains may lie..... if something got oopsed there ... BLAMMO!!! MHO give it a year....

i hear what is being said but i tend to be leary of any new product regardless of how little is done to them..

[CMC]

Hey Ing, What hull you putting it on?????

[Charlie M]

npartin,
jimmyb is an engineer for mercury. Sit back and listen to him you may learn something. Also your not even a paying subscriber or paying vendor and you are advertising your business SHAME ON YOU

[150aintenuff]

will be paying as soon as business picks up later in the season..... right now i am just getting things off of ground level and cash is short... I understand there are morethings here people know that i dont but i was just stating my opinion and it is just that.. my opinion.... i didnt disagree with him i just expressed that even if the heart of the technology is the same changes in onething can lead to disaster in another... it may not and i have no reason to disagree but it can.. here is my motto.. better to wait and be safe than to go for it and be sorry...

[Ing]

The engine is going on a 2005 Sutphen 210 Bowrider. If you go to the general threads you'll see a full description of the retooled boat. Hull weight will be approx. 2000lbs. Again, I thank everyone for your views.

[Ing]

JIMMYB,

The Merc website with the 225 Pro XS specs is not as extensive as the other engines listed. I assume it's an oversight on the web page but this engine is SmartCraft compatible, correct?

What's the difference between the 3 year warranty listed for the XS as opposed to a 2 + 1 warranty for the regular 225 Optimax.