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Author Topic:   115 4 stroke vs. 135 opti

13DAUNTLESS posted 11-14-2003 02:18 PM ET (US)
Looking to repower an 18 ft bow rider that is 1450 lbs. Can't decide between 115 4 stroke efi Merc and a 135 opti. The opti is only about 50 lbs heavier than the 4s but I wonder if it is worth the extra 20 hp for the opti when I hear about all the opti problems. If anyone ownes or has owned these motors your info would be great.
Thanks,
Brian
Bigshot posted 11-14-2003 02:23 PM ET (US)
Depends on your needs and what hull is rated for. If speed and skiing are your desires, then the 135. If quiet running, awesome economy and decent performance, the 4 stroke is great.
13DAUNTLESS posted 11-14-2003 03:15 PM ET (US)
The problem is that all those things are important. I want quiet, clean, reliable and performance for watersports. The hull is rated for 135 hp. The fuel tank is only 20 gal so economy is important. From what I read in the Merc book the 135 opti uses less fuel than a 130 Honda 4s. The question is how much more fuel is the v6 opti going to use over the 4cyl 4 stroke? I tend to think a 115 4s with a hull weight of only 1450 lbs should do rather well for watersports. Look at the new 170 Montauk hull as it is 1400 lbs with 13 gal of fuel and it goes 40+ mph with a carb 90 4s. On the other hand the 135 opti would be a rocket!
rbruce posted 11-15-2003 05:06 PM ET (US)
I am a true believer of two stroke engine technology for their mechanical simplicity, however, at close to four gallons of fuel per hour in my 1969 Chrysler 20 HP mated to a Boston Whaler Sport 11' during a boat trip of 5 hours, the theory behind the Opti Max DFI should deliver the best of the two worlds: four stroke fuel economy through better fuel and oil metering and super power over all the rpm band due to the lacking of valve timing.
I am also a true believer that if you use your boat for boat trips carrying extra fuel should be a #1 item in your list of to do's.

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Author	Topic: 115 4 stroke vs. 135 opti
13DAUNTLESS	posted 11-14-2003 02:18 PM ET (US) Looking to repower an 18 ft bow rider that is 1450 lbs. Can't decide between 115 4 stroke efi Merc and a 135 opti. The opti is only about 50 lbs heavier than the 4s but I wonder if it is worth the extra 20 hp for the opti when I hear about all the opti problems. If anyone ownes or has owned these motors your info would be great. Thanks, Brian
Bigshot	posted 11-14-2003 02:23 PM ET (US) Depends on your needs and what hull is rated for. If speed and skiing are your desires, then the 135. If quiet running, awesome economy and decent performance, the 4 stroke is great.
13DAUNTLESS	posted 11-14-2003 03:15 PM ET (US) The problem is that all those things are important. I want quiet, clean, reliable and performance for watersports. The hull is rated for 135 hp. The fuel tank is only 20 gal so economy is important. From what I read in the Merc book the 135 opti uses less fuel than a 130 Honda 4s. The question is how much more fuel is the v6 opti going to use over the 4cyl 4 stroke? I tend to think a 115 4s with a hull weight of only 1450 lbs should do rather well for watersports. Look at the new 170 Montauk hull as it is 1400 lbs with 13 gal of fuel and it goes 40+ mph with a carb 90 4s. On the other hand the 135 opti would be a rocket!
rbruce	posted 11-15-2003 05:06 PM ET (US) I am a true believer of two stroke engine technology for their mechanical simplicity, however, at close to four gallons of fuel per hour in my 1969 Chrysler 20 HP mated to a Boston Whaler Sport 11' during a boat trip of 5 hours, the theory behind the Opti Max DFI should deliver the best of the two worlds: four stroke fuel economy through better fuel and oil metering and super power over all the rpm band due to the lacking of valve timing. I am also a true believer that if you use your boat for boat trips carrying extra fuel should be a #1 item in your list of to do's.