OptiMax vs 4 stroke?

[1lastcast]

I have the option to upgrade a boat from a 90hp 4 stroke to a 115 optimax 2 stroke for $1000 extra. What are your thoughts people? I say stick with the 4 stroke as they are more enviro freindly and so quite running. But the down side is weight. these 4s are big and heaving. A 115 Optimax is 375lbs compared to the 90 4stroke at 399lbs.

any comments would great. Thanks

[bullseye]

First off, How big and what style is the boat? On a boat say 17 or 18 ft or more, that extra 24lbs won't make that much difference. Your 4 stroke is quieter, more fuel efficient, and will give any 115hp 2 stroke a run for the money across the lake. The 2 stroke may get the hole-shot, but you won't be that far behind after a few hundred yards. Plus, how many fish do you catch at 40mph anyway? My vote is for the 90hp 4 stroker.....

[Badger Shark]

After having my optimax for the past 2 seasons I wont change. It has always started even after sitting for a while. And so far less maintenance than the 4 stroke I had for only 2 months.

[CNs]

4 strokes are only marginally quieter these days than the opti's.

As for fuel efficeincy the 2 stokes are now outperforming 4 strokes and are just as environmentally friendly.

The downside to 2 strokes is the oil consumption which is not as bad as it used to be.

I am running a 75 hp merc 4 stroke. My next engine will be a 2 stroke.

The difference between the two ( 4s vs 2s) is marginal. I will go with the 2s for performance reasons (lighter, quicker).


Noise is the same when running wot. it is only at idle that there is any difference. As I do very little trolling this is not an issue

[eye-tracker]

Both motors are an excellent choice. It will come down to a personal preference and weighing the pros and cons of each versus your boat weight, hull shape, fishing style, water sports and etc. As an example if you like to troll most of the day you will be changing or cleaning the plugs often on the OptiMax. Check the price out on 4 plugs for the OptiMax

Enjoy your new motor...

-sheldon

[Luke]

I just bought a new Princecraft 178 and decided to go with the 115 optimax, my reasons were weight, performance and maintenance. Also I was told by a couple marinas that optimax parts are usually easier to get which means less downtime if something happens.

[1lastcast]

I am starting to lean towards the Optimax 115. Its 25 more hp 25less pounds then the 4 stroke 90.

I do troll for eyes and would prob do more fishing in the big waters for steelhead having a bigger boat.

Opti's dont troll well? How much louder would an Optimax be over a 4 stroke.

pros. of an optimax

- lighter
- more horse power
- more mpg


Cons. of a optimax

- Troll speeds?
- Oil consumption
- $1000 more to upgrade from a 90hp 4 stroke

I hate making big desicions like this...... keep the post coming guys.

[1lastcast]

Badger Shark

What sort of maintenance did your 4 stroke need? Why did you only have it 2 months? What size is your currant optimax?

Do you troll for walleye with the optimax?

Is the engine noise more or less then the 4 stroke?

thanks

[Badger Shark]

It wasnt just my motor it just happened that everything was a lemon. The motor died in the middle of the river. Turned out it was the fuel pump .

I trolled for walleye and everything else with it. You most likely should get yourself a trolling motor or kicker. Not because of noise just because of speed, if you want to troll less than 1.8mph you would need a drift sock to slow you down more otherwise.

The 4 stroke is more quiet I believe but the opti isnt really loud to troll with.
In fact its pretty quiet compared to my last 2 stroke which was a 25hp merc.

At full throttle I can still speak to whoever is on board without yelling. My old 25 you had to shout. I guess it just comes down to personal choice.

[swampbuster]

I agree that this is a very complicated matter, I currently run a D.I. 2stroke with a 4stroke kicker and it does the job quite well, but if I suddenly found myself in the market for a new rig I have no idea which way I would go. Probably the best way would be to work backwards , pick your dealer first make shure you trust/like them, then see what products they offer and does it fit your budget.It is great we have so many choices but it is a double edged sword. But certainly upgrading 25 hp for 1000 bucks sounds like a great deal, also that 25 hp will feel more like 35hp going to a D.I. 2-stroke.

Thanks Russ

[ady]

I believe you can get a trolling package for the Opti that will assist in getting the speed down and prevent plug fouling, never seen one but I hear they are around. I actually have the 115 4s on my 17'6" Princecraft, and my buddy has the 135 Opti on his 17'6" Legend. My 2 cents:

I love my 4s but my slowest troll speed without a sock is 2.8mph

The 4s hole shot sucks and giving me problems with water toys - I'm getting a lower pitch prop to help this

The Opti is a B%&ch to change the plugs (access) and he has 2 heli's in now - perhaps the 115 being a 3IL will help this.

The 4s service is no biggy if you do it yourself

The Opti is LOUD at WOT may be the new ones are quieter.

End of the Day??? I would probably go with the horses, you can never get enough horses

[Luke]

ady, I think what you are refering to is the smart craft system. The boat I just bought came with it and I've been told it will let that 115 opti troll down to less than 2mph without fowlin plugs. I find that hard to believe but I will find out as soon as the ice goes!! I really don't know much about it yet as it wasn't something I was looking for, it just came with the boat, but if it really works then it will be nice to have.

[swampbuster]

Hi Addy

My ficht is easy to change plugs(access) but you have to face the electrode in a certain direction to work properly this is called indexing.It only takes me 30 minutes to gap and change the plugs but it costs 70 bucks.It upsets me but then but when I am out on the river flying by larger 4s motors I become somewhat forgiving. Untill the missing starts 20 -30 hours later.My ficht/etec is loud at high revs but not to bad at idle , but no where near as quiet as a 4s.Especially those Yamahas man I swear they are electric motors in reallity.I find the DI 2S start any time any temperature and stay running but the 4s can be a little cranky in the cold.I have also noticed that if you have a stand up top the 2s di stink a little more when the wind blows into the back of the boat.But you still get some fumes from the 4s.Even though they are both rated 2or 3 star for clean burning.I thought the Verado Merc would be the perfect motor (supercharged 4 stroke) but I don,t think they are living up to the news hype.And i have talked to guys who run them they say the milage is not great and I know my 115 evinrude will run nose to nose with a 135 Verado and it is about 1/2 the size.Who knows where all this technology will take us in the future, but it will/should definately be better for us as consumers.

Russ