Engine Re-power Advice

[Robert Haynes]

Blew my 2000 model 150 Opti on 1st day of 8 day coastal trip. Was able to rent a boat to salvage the trip. I know I will open a can of worms here but please start some advice headed my way. I have 3 options. Rebuild existing motor (not too excited about a rebuild), new 2 stroke 150 Optimax or new 150 4 stroke. I have 1 more day tomorrow fishing coast and then headed back to Rogers. Boat will go up for winter so I have time to make best decision. Also I need new mechanic for my boat work. The one I have used in Springdale for years would not even return my calls when I was in a bind. Can you give me any advice in the Rogers area where to start taking my boat for service?

Thanks

[fishinwrench]

Whether you end up buying a new motor or not you will still come out better by rebuilding the blown one (unless it shot a rod out the side of the block)  because you'll only get 850.00 tops for it in it's current non-running condition.  

You have all Winter it sounds like, so have it rebuilt/refreshed, run it while you shop and study options, then sell it and swap to a new outboard if you want.  

[J-Doc]

I just picked up mine today for its first annual maintenance and water pump replacement.  I had 137.5 hrs on the motor and they gave me a printout showing hours logged at what rpms.  Didn't ask for it but they just knew I would like it.  And they were right. I was going to ask.  I guessed I had 130hrs and I had 137.5.  I like to track it and keep up with it.  

 

I've had nothing but good things out of my shop who is also my dealer.  John Wolfe is the manager there.  Always friendly, always wants to help, and they all seem to strive to do great work.  

 

Everyone has a "guy" and someone will recommend a few local shops but I can say, I've been very happy with my dealer and they did fantastic work installing my stereo and speakers.  Took there time and did it right.  

Now if fishinwrench was not 4hrs + from me, he would get all my business.  For a local dealer in Rogers for repower, I can definitely recommend Cabelas in Rogers.  The hourly rate is very competitive and the work is great.  They were repowering a boat today with a new motor.  

The difference in a 2000 Merc and a 2015 Merc is pretty different I'm told.  WAY quieter, and more fuel efficient. I can launch at Prairie Creek, run to Cliffty and back with full throttle and burn less than half a tank.  Probably 4-5 gallons burned? 20 gal tank, 1/4 tank of gas.  During break in, I launched PC, drove to Cliffty, back to PC, down to 412 bridge, back to PC just so I could get the hours. I also had several detours inside long coves too.  I still had 1/4 tank of fuel.  Most rpms were around 4k for break in.  I have the 115 ProXS.  

 

Good luck on the situation but I'd go repower myself.  

 

 

[deltakid]

Well if it was me i wouldnt think of any other moter than the new OMC/EVINRUDE bettter fuel burn less maintanance and lighter than the 4 stroke, plus they even have better emissions than the 4 strokes. I spent 25 plus years in the marine demolition trade and the later omc/brp engines were the best out there as far as reliability and cost per hour to operate.  good luck!!!

 

[Blll]

My 150 Merc 2 stroke is 10 years old and purrs like a kitten. But it sucks gas and on Beaver that can get expensive. When I do need a new motor, I hope OMC has used their new technology (G2) on a 150-175 size motor. Nothing smaller than 200hp now. I here the torque is awesome and it sips gas. They may have a 150hp out for 2016. I'd sure look into that.

[fishinwrench]

Well if it was me i wouldnt think of any other moter than the new OMC/EVINRUDE bettter fuel burn less maintanance and lighter than the 4 stroke, plus they even have better emissions than the 4 strokes. I spent 25 plus years in the marine demolition trade and the later omc/brp engines were the best out there as far as reliability and cost per hour to operate.  good luck!!!

 

totally agree....but you can't tell a Merc owner anything.  They have this cosmic mental block thing going on that no matter how bad they are getting screwed they just have this voice in their head saying "Black Black, the motor MUST be black".   

[Champ188]

It's called loyalty, wrench. If you didn't have customers who are loyal to you, you'd be out of business.

 

[M_Taylor]

Can't say anything negative about Mercs. However I have a lot of experience running 4 strokes from 50hp to 150hp. Mainly Yamaha and Honda. The main thing I know is that they are quiet and easy to run as well as being fuel efficient.

I've had numerous 2 stroke owners ride in the boat and comment own how quiet the motor is. That's important to some, not so much to others. Hope you enjoy what ever you decide. 

[M_Taylor]

Oh and one other thing. I bought my boat from Rogers Outdoors and have nothing negative to say about their operation. It has only been since March, so take it for what it's worth. 

[fishinwrench]

It's called loyalty, wrench. If you didn't have customers who are loyal to you, you'd be out of business.

 

True that, but loyalty should be deserved.  I watch Mercury marine shove it up the butt of their loyal customers every dang day.   

Eighty dollar O-rings,  six hundred dollar throttle position sensors, thousand dollar stator upgrade kits because the designers didn't get it right the first time.   A POS tilt/trim system that should have been redesigned back in the 1980's but is still being used.    

I'm truly glad they exist because I have kids to put through college...... But the undying loyalty is something I just can't understand. 

Kinda like Ford owners I reckon.  You keep pulling them out of little mudholes and towing their broke azz home.....yet the owners will always have a blue oval in their driveway.