Optimax vs. four-stroke

[g man46]

I am looking at buying a boat and went to the NW sportshow today and found a nice crestliner. I can have it rigged either with a 150 h.p. Mercury Optimax or a 150 h.p. Yamaha four-stroke. The four stroke is about $1500 more and I really am thinking of going with it. I was thinking that the four stroke will get a lot better fuel efficiency, but the salesman claims they are about equal. Is this true? As for the power, I really don't care about the difference, both will have plenty for me. The only thing keeping me from the Optimax was noise and fuel efficiency, but if the fuel efficiency is about the same, I can put up with noise for $1500. What do you think?

[CabinBoy]

I wouldn't even worry about the noise. The new opti's are much quieter than when they first came out.

[rangr]

G man I would willing to bet the Opti gets alittle bit better than the 4-stroke. If your willing to put up with the noise over the 4-stroke go with the Opti.

[Northlander]

Go with the Yamaha 4 stroke and save yourself some noise and fumes. You will be gald you did.

[Jim Hudson]

I run a Opti and am satisfied with the motor... Trust me it is quiet, but I too have fished in Northlander's boat where he has a Yamaha... And that motor is quieter then my opti... Fuel consumption and oil consumption should be pretty much equal where the 4-stroke might have a bit of an edge... But I do believe, the Opti has a bit more power and gets you up a bit quicker...

[Dave]

g-man, looking for a Crestliiner with a Optimax? Have I got a deal for you. Take a look at this one in the for sale forum.

Crestliner with Optimax

[g3angler]

I personally own a Yamaha and would highly recommend it. No problems.

[g man46]

Thanks for the replies. Dave....I wish. That's a good deal on that boat, but a tad out of the price range for now. I do realize that there will be a noise and fume difference now, but is the four-stroke worth the extra money?

[nthomps66]

I bought a new Crestliner Fishhawk 1750 last fall. Had the choice between a Yamaha F90 4S or a Mercury 125 2S for the same price. I went with the 4 stroke and couldn't be happier. It purrs like a kitten. I forget it's running sometimes...

[Kevin Turner]

Both are great engines...$1500 buys a lot of fish'n stuff...

[wallywalleye]

There is one thing everyone is forgetting, is that if you have any problems the Merc is going to be easier to get parts for and also cheaper, but I doubt you'll have any problems with a four-stroke.

[Down to Earth]

Kevin brings up a good point. Hopefully I'll be in the same situation next year buying a boat. Would you rather have pay the extra $1500 and buy the 4-stroke or buy the Optimax and put the $1500 into your electronics, etc??

[bearriver]

I have a 18 foot ProV with a 2001 merc optimax 150. I love the motor! It runs great and is reasonably quiet, nothing like a 4-stroke I am sure but for the price difference, you can buy some extras for the boat! One thing with the optimax is that premium gas is a must and a fuel stabilizer is recommended with every fill. Not much of an inconvenience but something to be awear of. The gas mileage is great also, I don't think there is much difference between the two.

[Ole #1]

I don't have any 1st hand experience with the optimax, but I wouldn't buy anything other than a 4 stroke.

But that's me