2002 Mercury 135 Optimax - Please help!!

[gw204]

Does anyone know how this engine will perform in comparison to my 1985 Merc. 150 (older 2.0 liter block)? I'm thinking of repowering my 20' Grady White center console (1995 lbs. dry) with one since I found a tremendous deal. $6495 and a 5 year non-declining warranty. I just don't want to end up underpowered. Currently I'm able to cruise at 28 kts. turning a 14 x 19 SS prop at 4000. Wide open puts me just over 40 kts. at 5300. These numbers are with one person and 20 gals. fuel.<br /><br />Any information would be greatly appreciated. I'm driving myself crazy trying to make this decision.<br /><br />Thanks.<br /><br />Brian

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: 2002 Mercury 135 Optimax - Please help!!

new motors are HP rated at the prop, not flywheel.<br />deduct 15% from 150 and that's what you have now.<br />about 125hp under new rating.

 

[JB]

Re: 2002 Mercury 135 Optimax - Please help!!

I think the 1985 was also rated at the prop.<br /><br />You should expect a surprizingly small decrease in performance.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: 2002 Mercury 135 Optimax - Please help!!

sorry, JB is right on. my mistake.

 

[miloman]

Re: 2002 Mercury 135 Optimax - Please help!!

jb is right it is prop rated I think you might notice a few mph difference. That will depend on the condition of your current motor. I f your current motor os not finly tuned the compression is slightly down etc... I think you might even notice a slight increase maybe not in top end speed but hole shot etc...

 

[Franki]

Re: 2002 Mercury 135 Optimax - Please help!!

can you test it first??<br /><br />It'd be great to check it out first..(or another one mounted on a similiar size and weight boat.) <br /><br />Personally I would expect not alot of difference.<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Franki

 

[gw204]

Re: 2002 Mercury 135 Optimax - Please help!!

Thanks for the feedback guys.<br /><br />Unfortunately, I can't test the motor and when I asked the dealer to search for any Merc. performance sheets w/ similar boats, he couldn't find anything. I did find some numbers for a 135 Ficht and 130 Yammy but the test hulls were pretty different (low to the water and very shallow V if any, although weight was similar). The numbers on those rigs were encouraging but there is a lot of bow on my boat (approx. 36" high at rest) and I have about 18 degrees of deadrise so I wasn't confident that I could achieve the same results.<br /><br />With all that in mind, I've decided to pass on the Opti and go for either a tried and true 150 or 200 carb, or a 150 EFI. Sure it will cost me more, but I'm willing to pay for an engine that I KNOW will give me better performance that what I currently run.<br /><br />Thanks again fellas.

 

[sfels]

Re: 2002 Mercury 135 Optimax - Please help!!

For what it's worth, I remotored my '92 Bayliner Trophy 2002 with a Mercury 150EFI last year. The boat is a 20 footer and weighs about 4,000lbs. With the new 150, which replaced my old Force (or is that farce) 150, I get about 37mph top speed. The EFI motor is really great and I was able to get it for about $3,000 less than an equivalent Optimax. Also, if you go with the Optimax, you'll probably have to install new instruments as well. I got away with rigging my stock gauges.

 

[gw204]

Re: 2002 Mercury 135 Optimax - Please help!!

Steve,<br /><br />The gauges are one thing I did ask about and was told that although most people didn't know about it, and many dealers don't tell you, there is an analog adapter to enable the used of standard gauges w/ the Opti. In fact, my dealer actually recommended this over the Smartcraft for reliability.<br /><br />I've come across an '02 150 carb. for $6500, a '98 225 carb for $8449 and a '98 200 EFI for $8880, all new in-the-box motors. The prices for the latter two include installation, new binnacle control, wiring harness, key switch /w warning horn and guage harness, oil tank, control cables and an in water test to insure the included aluminum prop is correct for the boat.<br /><br />Now, I just trying to convince my wife that I need 200 horsies and EFI......

 

[sfels]

Re: 2002 Mercury 135 Optimax - Please help!!

Personally, I think that EFI is the way to go. There's less maintenance, better performance and better fuel economy. With only a couple hundred dollar's difference between your quotes, I'd opt for EFI. The price quote you got looks great.

 

[RJS]

Re: 2002 Mercury 135 Optimax - Please help!!

gw 204,<br /><br />2003 Merc Saltwater Classic 150 = $8899<br />2003 Merc Saltwater EFI 150= $10,692<br />2003 Merc Saltwater Classic 200 = $10,450<br />2003 Merc Saltwater EFI = $11,968<br /><br />Even though the '98 is "new out of the box", it will take a major hit on depreciation. Look up the price on NADA for the '98 and go from there.<br /><br />I love the Merc EFI's, I have the 200 HP. Do the calculatoins to see if it's a good deal.

 

[MIKE F]

Re: 2002 Mercury 135 Optimax - Please help!!

RJS,<br />Where did you get those prices? They're horrible.

 

[RJS]

Re: 2002 Mercury 135 Optimax - Please help!!

Mike F,<br /><br />I got the prices out of the latest issue of Trailer Boats Magazine. They probably are high, but the relative cost of differnt engines EFI vs Carb and 150 vs 200 is hopefully useful.

 

[MIKE F]

Re: 2002 Mercury 135 Optimax - Please help!!

RJS,<br />I see where you're going now with those prices. They are list prices and really are way off from real world pricing though. I'm pretty sure (as an example) you can get a carb'd 150 Merc for around $7,100-$7,200. A 150 merc EFI is someting like $1,600-$1,700 more. I got a 2002 150 carb'd Merc for $6,800 a couple of weeks ago.<br />I think gw204 is getting some good prices.

 

[rons boat]

Re: 2002 Mercury 135 Optimax - Please help!!

The merc was also prop rated and if compression is still up there, why not check to see? the mercury will run off and leave it. Also check weight of the two motors as that can make a difference if you are splitting hairs.