90 HP merc optimax do they have any issues.

[BigE]

Blusta
2.3 sounds like pretty good mileage to me , i'd be plenty happy with that sort of consumption. Thanks for the battery tip , do they really need that much juice for a 90hp? Three days fishin improves my mood as well so i know what you mean.

Thanks
BigE

[Goodoo haven]

Moonlighter
yep looking at a newie, haven't sussed out a tohatsu TDLI are they similar to an opti?


BigE

The Tohatsu TLDI are much quieter though, and lighter for the HP and not as bulky of a motor either with the Tohatsu.

[Blusta]

I purchased from Cunninghams Marine and just accepted that the 900CCA was the right battery and the last six yrs has borne that out I think. It gives some margin if the boat has a few other electronics or you fish at night a lot which I do except for winter-too old and soft for that!. I think the handbook say 800CA. Additionally, I have only one battery. They are ALCO calcium; heavy buggers and about $300. I only bought a new battery(5 Yrs use) because we were on holidays with very young kids and I did not want issues on holiday.

[wrxhoon]

WRX hoon

Smart craft sounds like a good thing the extra cost is abit of an off put though.

BigE

They are standard with the larger Mercs, all V6 I think. In any case they are worth the extra $$$. I wouldn't be without them in any future boat just like I wouldn't be without hydraulic steering and trim tabs, once you have them you will always want them.

[WalrusLike]

E, I wonder if you can get some or all of the same info via NMEA network on to a plotter that's NMEA compatible. Google seems to suggest the motor is NMEA compatible.

If you already have the plotter it might save you dollars. Just something to investigate and consider. I hope that I haven't wasted your time with that thought.

[BigE]

ANyone else have opti experiences?


BigE

[BigE]

Any thoughts or experience on prop size for a 90 opti on a 530 quintrex spirit.? looking more for fuel ecom and ability to plane easierly in a sea over outright speed.

BigE

[Moonlighter]

Moonlighter
yep looking at a newie, haven't sussed out a tohatsu TDLI are they similar to an opti?


BigE

Hi Big E

Sorry, didn't see your reply to my earlier post.

The Optis and the TLDI Tohatsu use very similar direct injection technology. They are both licensees for the orbital technologies DI system, that was developed here in Aus.

Basically, it uses a low pressure air compressor to atomize the fuel, and it's then direct injected into the cylinders. A much simpler and more reliable system than the complex approach from e-tecs.

I must say that I loved my TLDI 90. It was very fuel efficient, and easy to live with. Japanese made quality and reliability is what they are known for. Virtually no smoke, smooth, but not quite as smooth and not as quiet as a 4 stroke. Used 25% less fuel than a Honda 90 on a mates boat at the time.

The servicing is a bit more than a normal 2 stroke cause of the special fuel filters and the platinum plugs they run, but they last at least 2 years so not too bad. Belt for the compressor replaces every few years, but not too expensive either.

I never had a single problem with mine in 5years or more, and Tohatsu even did a free recall to fix a minor issue well after the motor was out of warranty.

I would have one ahead of the Opti, without a doubt! Great motor, not as well known as the major brands, but I had no dramas selling the boat with the Tohatsu on it when the time came. People who do their research find out just how good these motors really are.

If you have a well established, quality local dealer, I would think seriously about it.

Cheers

ML

Ps I soul add that they came std when I got mine with a very ordinary alloy prop. Doughy acceleration, and a fair bit of slip in turns.

Talked to my mechanic Jon Eadie, and he immediately told me that the best prop would be a Merc Vengeance stainless and even specified he exact size. I managed to pick one up second hand on eBay, bolted it on, and wow! Turned it into a rocket ship, brilliant hole shot, better across the rev range, better top end, and better fuel economy. So that would have to be factored into the deal, if it was me.

[BigE]

Thanks moonlighter good info on the TLDI seems like a good thing. Do the tohatsu's have smart craft type gauges as well? quick search shows there a 4 cylinder over the merc's 3 cylinder which i think woul be a good thing torque wise.

BigE

[BigE]

ML
BTW which prop worked the best on your TLDI , a vengenance but what size? interesting that a merc prop wouls A fit and B work well (or better that the factory prop)

BigE

[Moonlighter]

Hi again

At the time I had mine, no, they didn't have smart craft gauges. From some quick research, it doesn't look like they are NMEA 2000 capable yet, so rules out engine interfaces and displaying data on gps screens. But check with a dealer to be sure.

Re the prop, here's a link to a post I put up re this exact thing: http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/sho...r-Tohatsu-TLDI!

Cheers
ML

[kizza1]

just to clear a few things up there are 4 types of gauges with the mercs
analogue
sc1000 (twin smartcraft with small digital display)
vessel view (large lcd type screen, colour now but used to be black and white)
and the new one eco gauge/mercmonitor (same size as an sc1000 but full led)

all opti's are suggested to be sold with sc1000, however some dealers as of late have been selling them with analogue gauges to keep the price down.

as far as i know the eco gauge is the only one that is nmea 2000 compliant at the moment.
sc1000, vessel view and eco gauge are nmea 0183 compliant but thats old technology now.

the eco gauge just needs a $70 nmea starter kit to connect into a nmea2000 sounder/gps

all mercury's over 60hp come with a stainless prop standard, the vengence is an excellent prop on the smaller hp however in 135hp and up it is worthwhile going to a better quality mercury prop depending on your situation.

the opti's are a brilliant engine in my opinion but then again so are almost all injected engines.
there are so many variables with setting up a boat. you can have the same 2 engines on 2 identical boats and have 1 perform amazing and the other an absolute pig.
also different engines outperform others in different situations. its really a matter of buying an engine to suit your application.

[BigE]

Thanks Kizza all good info. the motor I'm looking at has the white dials with small LCD screens at the bottem of the gauge so I thim
nk they are the SC1000 model. Any feedback on these gauges?

[kizza1]

yes they will be sc1000.
they are one of the best gauges available on the market for volume of information.
the only problems i have seen is crazed screens if they have been left in direct sunlight for years and years.
on an opti they will show hours, trim, fuel level as percentage and litres(if fuel sender fitted), water temp, water pressure, speed, fuel used as an average and an instant, battery voltage, fault alarms, distance to empty and lastly troll controll. you can set and adjust your trolling speed through the gauge.
have a look here if you want to know more on the features http://www.mercurymarine.com/gauges-.../sc1000-sc100/

[scrotty]

Hey, i have owned a 90hp and a 150hp optimax. I would buy one again if i could not buy a fourstroke. Reliable and great on fuel! The only negative i have found is the noise level compared to a four banger that is! I have known of others used by pro fishers with crazy hours on them and they have never had any problems. They were out long before etecs and the others but they were just not marketed as much as the etecs have been. They are my number one choice in the two strokes for sure. Cheers