Need help.Optimax or verado 150

[Rodrunner]

Hey fellas,I'm buying a new boat in the next couple of months. I dont know wether to go with the mercury optimax 2-stroke or the mercury verado 4-stroke. please tell me why I should buy one over the other.thanks for the input. Jason

 

[rndn]

Re: Need help.Optimax or verado 150

Personal preference as both are very nice motors. You may also want to look at the Evinrude E-TEC if available at the dealer.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Need help.Optimax or verado 150

compare the weight of the 2 motors. 4 strokes tend to have less hole shot.

 

[j442w30]

Re: Need help.Optimax or verado 150

What kind of boat are you thinking of putting them on?

Optimax are very nice engines, fuel efficient and lightweight with excellent holeshot. You don't have to worry about changing oil but you need to buy the special DFI oil for them to work right. Some of the newer ones are available with DTS (Digital Throttle and Shift) which makes the controls silky smooth. Optimaxes are more fuel efficient at WOT than Verados but they are both close throughout the RPM range.

Verados are the ultimate outboard in my opinion, but they would be better on a heavier boat. They are supercharged so you don't have to worry about a sluggish hole shot and the throttle response is absolutely amazing, not to mention you can barely even hear them running. They come with power steering and DTS standard but they are significantly more expensive than an Optimax. Verados are more fuel efficient at low to mid range RPMs than Optimaxes but going WOT you will burn more fuel than a comparable Optimax.

I would have to say that it really depends on the type of boat you want to put this on. If you had a Mercury outboard previously then it might be easier to rig up an Optimax because a Verado requires all of the Smartcraft controls. Keep in mind you might need to upgrade your batteries/electrical system because both engines have very strict voltage requirements to operate correctly.

Both are great engines and will serve you well, and there are other great alternatives out there like the Evinrude Etec as previously mentioned.

 

[gss036]

Re: Need help.Optimax or verado 150

I just read an article on the 2008 Verado's. According to the writer, the 08's are 18-22% more fuel efficient than the previous Verdaos. They are still very heavy though. I try to keep up on new engines for a repower, one of these days, if I ever manage to blow my 89 Merc 200 hp carbed engine, I want to have an idea of what to look for.
Right now, the Verado is worth a look, but for 2 stroke, E-Tec all the way. It is a much simpler engine than the optimax.

 

[Don S]

Re: Need help.Optimax or verado 150

http://northamerica.mercurymarine.com/look_deeper/head_to_head.php?ID=57&Filter=3

 

[Rodrunner]

Re: Need help.Optimax or verado 150

Thanks for your replys..sounds like I wont go wrong either way..

 

[Rodrunner]

Re: Need help.Optimax or verado 150

Does anyone own the verado? If so what is your experience with it.I will be putting either the verado or optimax on a new 28' lund or tracker.Both boats weigh about 1500# dry

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Need help.Optimax or verado 150

veradoclub.com

 

[Rodrunner]

Re: Need help.Optimax or verado 150

maybe I should go with the evenrude E-tec?