On July of 2000 I purchase a brand new Proline open fisher boat with a Mercury OptiMax150. Here is my story to help any one with the next purchase of a marine product.<br />My first day on my new boat, I decided to break in the boat. So all excited I went out for a pleasure cruise. As I cruised Biscayne Bay an alarm went off, the low oil sensor. This can't be, it was full, but I checked and it had 2 gallons, must be a bad sensor. I came home and called the dealer, they instructed me on a few steps to check the oil. On its second outing I experienced the same low oil sensor, and a high water temp. I made an appointment with the dealer and was able to take the boat in for repairs. A few weeks later I had my boat again.<br /><br />A short period after the repairs were done I heard the same low oil sensor, and back to the shop it went. After appointment and repair, it had to be over a week with out my boat in the middle of dolphin season.<br /><br />Few months later guess what, low oil sensor again, and a new problem. The low oil sensor was accompany with the engine light. The combination of both lights means engine might be running with out oil. This can't be good. I called the shop and made another appointment. Turns out the engine had 2 cylinders burned, so Mercury replaced the power head. I was ecstatic to hear this, since I had so much trouble with this unit.<br /><br />Well I finally got a new power head, its going to run great I thought. As I get ready to leave from the ramp, the shifter is stuck in neutral. This can't be. Another fishing day ruined, and a brand new boat with a pretty Mercury sitting on my trailer. I called the dealership and made another appointment, this time I have to wait on Mercury because the dealer does not have the part. Let's just say another week goes that I do not have a boat.<br /><br />I began to break in my new power head. The boat is now running great. Or so I think. After the break in period I notice the boat is using a lot of oil, I guess that's better then no oil. I called the dealer and told them I was burning about 1 gallon of oil to every 10 gallons of fuel, that's about 7 times the normal amount of oil. So again I made an appointment. At least another week without my boat. These time the replace a recalled part and made a few adjustments.<br /><br />Wow my boat was running great, at least for 3 months before the dreadful low oil sensor came back. My boat had more then enough oil so I continued. Every few outings this alarm would go off but no big deal. I took time off and went to the keys. The black anchor (Mercury) ran good for 17 miles before the low oil with the engine light. Well now she is in the shop and who knows for how long.<br /><br />I have tried to deal with Mercury and nothing, has been solved. Maybe by writing this letter I can help anyone who is shopping for a new engine. I hope my history with Mercury will help you choose your next marine product or which one not to choose. Mercury will replace my engine if it's found to be unrepeatable, but in the modern age what is unrepeairable.<br /><br />If you do buy mercury, do not forget duct tape, it comes in handy to cover up the alarm.
