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View Full Version : optimax....to buy or not to buy



Runamuck
13-06-2005, 09:18 AM
Looking to upgrade to a 2005 optimax 115 for my 5m seafarer.
Anyone able to give me any info on the opti series, good or bad.
I believe that this motor can be fitted with a digital safe guard system.

Any other recommendations towards the new donk, be it a Yamaha,Mercury or what ever, would be appreciated.

I am leaning towards the 4 stroke type of engine but no little about them.

Cheers
Adam

dfox
13-06-2005, 11:20 AM
Adam- a touchy subject mate, but i believe your leaning in the right direction. Plenty of happy 4stroke owners on this site ;D ;D ;D ;D

Angla
13-06-2005, 05:23 PM
Runamuck
I've got a 135 optimax on a cruise craft 575 outsider and am very happy. Just getting to 100 hours now and never had a problem at all. I opted to have the smart gauges installed which give a miriad of information to me like
Fuel rate being consumed and total used (very accurate and my favourite to watch)
Fuel tank level and total used
oil level
Temperature water and engine
Speed
trip distance
battery levels
Charge
Hours
as well as alarms for over revving and low oil
I'm sure I have left some features out

Seems to run very efficiently at 38-4200 rpm. Go over this and consumption does increase more dramatically. I have learnt to be more accepting of the slower trip at 20-30 knotts. Top speed around 40 knotts.
It is a little noisy at high rpm but tolerable at low speeds.
I would only rate a 4 stroke higher on the noise levels and if it were a major concern then they may be the go for you.

Angla

Angla
13-06-2005, 05:24 PM
P.S. thats her in the picture on a fair day weather wise

Angla

southernson
13-06-2005, 05:47 PM
Hey Angla, just wonderin can ya get the smart guages on 75hp optimax.

reeldreamer
14-06-2005, 01:39 PM
I recently upgraded from a 150efi to a 175opti, the new motor siezed in less than 12 hours of running! It is now leaking oil from the tilt pump! Motor has done around 40hours since the first rebuild, guess i can't complain for a 8month old motor! Yamaha all the way and preferably 4stroke! The best thing about the opti's is the smart craft instruments very informative and great with a Navman sounder!

Mitch

jimbo59
14-06-2005, 02:18 PM
Go susi 4/st they are doing top deals at the moment if u sqeeze them i would think around 13-14k

Runamuck
15-06-2005, 03:40 AM
Thanks heaps for the replys fellows.
Im looking at the 115 Yamaha 4 stroke today at Bayside Marine (Capalaba) and the opti at Redcliffe.
Talking to friends (new and old) at the Redland Bay fishing comp on the weekend, and most of them were pushing me towards the 4 stroke Yamaha.

Cheers Adam

NQCairns
15-06-2005, 05:04 AM
Just to throw a small spanner in the works and if it matters to you when the manufacturers rate a 115HP they work to 115 +- 10%. With 4 strokes I think it matters considering their doughy behaviour next to 2 strokes.
For what is is worth (internet whispers) there is one brand whose mid range 4st motor makes a nice 13extra hp over the sticker. That same maker in the big block 4st makes 20 to 30hp less than the sticker number in the real world.

Pedro
15-06-2005, 05:41 AM
A local gun mackreal fisho bought a 135 opti late last year and is still trying to sell it because he swears it has affected his catch rate dramitacly while slow trolling for spaniards,you can definetly hear a harmonic tick in it a slow troll
otherwise he is very happy with the peformance and fuel.

Billfin
15-06-2005, 07:20 AM
For what is is worth (internet whispers) there is one brand whose mid range 4st motor makes a nice 13extra hp over the sticker. That same maker in the big block 4st makes 20 to 30hp less than the sticker number in the real world.

Any chance on filling in the blanks on who this manufacturer might be ???

craigie
15-06-2005, 10:33 AM
So far so good with my 115, 2004 Opti :)
300 hrs in 16 months without a hitch.

Fuel economy appears to be very good. On my 5.4 Fibreglass Runnabout it will plane on 3200 revs, burning 13.5 litre per hr doing 18 knots.
Cruise speed of 24 knots on 4000 revs, burning 18.5 litres per hr.
5800 WOT is 39 knots for a burn of 37 litres per hr.
Gotta love the smartcraft gauges, all the vital information at your fingertips.
Avg about 2.3k's to the litre.

I would agree that the 4 strokes are a very quiet engine, have found the Opti to be similar in all other areas except punch out of the hole where it sh1ts it in !!.

Cheers
Craigie

NQCairns
15-06-2005, 12:17 PM
I will say it 150 timesYou will never get it out of me which one makes more!!

Runamuck
15-06-2005, 04:23 PM
Some great feedback, keep it coming as i am that unsure on which one to take.... a little more advice cant hurt.

Thanks heaps! [smiley=help.gif]

Angla
15-06-2005, 07:04 PM
Hve you seen the new brochure for the Mercury VERADO supercharged 4 stroke in 135, 150 & 175hp.They boast hole punch with all the features of 4 stroke
Makes you wonder as to the price

Angla

Try www.mercuryverado.com.au

Angla
15-06-2005, 07:20 PM
Here's another thought................... Every time a new technology comes out the previous technology should become cheaper. Maybe you can get a good discount on the optimax series now

Angla

Runamuck
16-06-2005, 04:03 PM
Angla....good thought with the out dated versions and as for the verado, i was quoted 18-19000