Best Motor For Under 10K

BuilderFL

BuilderFL

Junior Member
Well, my 1988 Merc 200hp is done for, so I wanted to get your opinion as to what would be the best outboard motor (200hp) for under 10K. Brand, year and average hours so I could start my search.
Thanks
 
Unless you buy a new engine, I would avoid DFI engines(OPTIMAX, ETEC, HPDI). Parts for them are just to expensive IMO when something goes, and your pretty well limited to the dealer for diagnostics due to the cost of the software to scan them. For that kind of money you could buy a late model 4 stroke, but be careful of corrosion on the YAMAHA's as it seems they are experincing internal corrosion that rots from the inside out so you don't see it until it's to late. A late model 3.0L 200/225/250 MERCURY would bolt up using your same controls I believe, and aren't to bad on fuel as well as being powerful. I like the 88-92 OMC(not a huge fan of the 93+ engines due to the castings corroding internally when used in saltwater) V6's. Packed a good punch, not horrible on fuel, and cheap to work on. Problem is parts are getting harder to find for them, and what parts you do find are getting up there in price. The YAMAHA OX66's were some good engines as well, and the OX66 fuel injection had a great track record. I would avoid SUZUKI for corrosion reasons due to there aluminum being pretty poor.

The biggest question is do you want to go newer technology, or stick with something you can work on yourself. I would think for $10K you could find a nice shape YAMAHA 150 4 stroke, and I know you can find late model EFI MERCURY 225's for around $5K and reuse your controls(and I'm pretty sure your harness will work also).

EDIT:I just remembered your boat is a bracketed center console. I would stick with a YAMAHA 150 if you want to go with a 4 stroke, a 150/175 YAMAHA OX66, or a 2.5L MERCURY 200HP outboard for weight reasons. Gotta be careful how much weight you go hanging off the stern with your combo offshore.
 
For a little more you could hang a zero hour brand new one with a warranty.

If not I'd stick to a low hour yamaha four stroke, or for cheaper a nice condition OX66.

Problem being in S. Fla is that a lot of engines get used more and have higher hours. Plus you have what I call the dreamer factor more down there with people moving there with great hopes and dreams of living the lifestyle and when they can't hack it the toys take a backseat. Have that happen a few times and some boats and engines end up with multiple owners and questionable maintenance history.
 
there are supposedly some deals on new/old stock 175 Optis out there, you will need to find a volume dealer, check with bass pro, Eds Marine, Chat Lee, opr some one like that. $10K will only get you about 90 hp in a new fourstroke. I just quoted a 150 Yamaha for $12700(real good price), plus controls, harness, key switch and gauges(add $1500). If you're going to buy used, I'd stick with a 2.5 merc, keep your old one for parts. The 3.0L Mercs can be bought cheap, but they burn a lot of fuel. The OX yamahas burn about the same but bring a premium because of the offshore(out of the US) demand for them. Plastic carbs for the OMCs are out of stock and they aint making any more. I wouldn't touch a Ficht, Ram Ficht, or e-tec(ficht v3) on a dare.
 
Eds Marine has these offer:
150 HP MERCURY OPTIMAX 25" $9,000
150L EFI 4S MERCURY $9,500
Will 25 hp make a lot of difference in my boat?
 
on the dusky i mentioned, the hulls are very similar to v20's, there is a noticeable difference in 2s vs 4s as far as hole shot, acceleration & planing speed. that was with the same hp. if you drop down 50 hp and go 4s, you will be aware of it. the dusky is a fishing boat with 3 or 4 old fat guys on it, so speed is not important. if you do a lot of tubing, skiing, etc, it will be more of an issue. i'm sure you can ski & tube behind a 4s, but it's not going to pull up up like a merc 200.

on that same boat mpg went from 2 to 3.5
 
BuilderFL said:
Eds Marine has these offer:
150 HP MERCURY OPTIMAX 25" $9,000
150L EFI 4S MERCURY $9,500
Will 25 hp make a lot of difference in my boat?
Click to expand...

Assuming these are new motors w/warranty, I'd go w/the Opti...great power and very fuel efficient...

You MIGHT miss some of the power between your old 200 and an Opti 150, but what you'll gain will help you get over it pretty quick...


Are those last year's models or something?
 
I would go with the 4 stroke for the long run. OPTI's worry me with all of the compressor issues I've read about, and air injector problems once they get some hours on them. The weight difference between those 2 engines isn't much(about 25 pounds according to the MERCURY site), and either one will put you about 100 pounds heavier than your current 2.4L. The OPTI will probably be better on fuel, but for the long run I would want the 4 stroke.
 
ARG Marine in Florida - I had solid experience with them, shipped my used outboard, covered all details Fantastic. Back when I bought the 03 Bombardier 200. Paid half new and it ran perfectly.
 
WELL, I BIT THE BULLET AND GOT ME A NEW 2014 MERC OPTIMAX 200HP (GOT Serial # 2B092656) WITH THREE YEARS FACTORY WARRANTY PLUS TWO YEARS GOLD EXTENDED WARRANTY. SHOULD BE IN FROM THE FACTORY NEXT TUESDAY JUST ON TIME FOR MY BDAY. OTD PRICE $13,300, BEST FROM ALL LOCAL DEALERS. :nice:
 
congrats, your gonna love it. make sure you have an hour meter on it, every hour you put on it, put $10 in a coffee can. in 2000 hours, when that one's wore out, you'll have enough for the next one. my dad told me that in 94 when i got my new 150, wish i had done it, i've got 1600 hours on my motor & $30 in the coffee can.
 
I would pull your jack plate off if your still running it. I think that's a 3.0L you bought, and it's a good bit heavier than your old 2.4L engine is. It will also have ALOT more torque. The OPTI's get the best milage out there, and all of them I've seen have one heck of a holeshot. And I wouldn't cheap out on oil, run the best you can find to help protect your air injection pump as I belive it is lubricated by the 2 stroke oil for the engine.
 
what Ferm said, its a bad *** motor, but its porky, Run specific DFI, if you let it sit for any length of time, reprime the oil system(have it done)
 
Congrats on an excellent choice of motor. My 225 opti is about to turn 1200 hours. It is a 3 liter. Definitely run dfi oil. It's not that much more money than the other stuff. I think you will be very suprised with a motor that has that much balls and still is that good on gas. I know I still am, every time I use my boat. If you can get the new eco monitor. I put one on my dad's v20. It's en economical choice that replaces a seperate tach and speedo with one guage.
 
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