MONTAUK Re-power: 90-HP OptiMax - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: Whaler Performance
  MONTAUK Re-power: 90-HP OptiMax

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   MONTAUK Re-power: 90-HP OptiMax

holtrph posted 06-02-2006 12:56 PM ET (US)
I am in the market for a new motor for my 1988 Montauk 17, and found a good deal on an unused 2004 Mercury 90-HP OptiMax. I have seen a few pictures on this website of others with this same setup, but my boat dealer/installer has some concerns about the increased weight. She has heard some instances of de-installations of Merucry 90 OptiMax on older Montauk's due to instability caused by increased weight. Have any of you heard of any problems with adding a Mercury 90 OptiMax to a 1988 Montauk 17? Do any of you have good experiences with this? I'd really appreciate any feedback.
Perry posted 06-02-2006 01:16 PM ET (US)
According to Brunswick's Commercial Division, the maximum motor weight for a 17' Alert (Classic Montauk) is 330 lbs. I have seen Montauk's with heavier motors on them and they seem to handle it OK.
Tom W Clark posted 06-02-2006 01:22 PM ET (US)
The classic Montauk had a maximum engine weight of 410 pounds. Just how much does an OptiMax 90 weight?!
holtrph posted 06-02-2006 02:23 PM ET (US)
The Mercury 90-HP OptiMax weighs 375 lbs. According to some delaers I have spoken with, there are some concerns about not just weight but some hull vibrations throughout the hull at certain RPM with this engine. Anyone heard/experienced this?
sosmerc posted 06-02-2006 03:36 PM ET (US)
I have rigged three Montauk's with 3-cylinder Optimax engines. There have been no complaints whatsoever. In fact, it appears to be a great combination. Be sure to run the Flo-Torq III hub in whatever prop you choose, aluminum or stainless. Mount the engine so that the cavitation plate is at least slightly above the bottom of the boat.
Buckda posted 06-02-2006 05:03 PM ET (US)
I would think that this would be an ideal engine for the Montauk 17.
Remember, though, that any 3-cylinder engine is going to have unique vibration signatures. Three cylinder aren't as smooth as 4- or 6-cylinders, which is why the old balanced V4 motors from OMC were great engines for this boat.
I would not hesitate to put this motor on a Montauk, so long as you are getting a good deal and are comfortable with the battery requirements of the OptiMax.
Dave
dcritch posted 06-02-2006 07:03 PM ET (US)
holtrph
I have been very happy with the 90 OptiMax on my 170. There is a small vibration between 1,200- and 1,800-RPM, but nothing to be concerned about. Instant starts and great acceleration. The only negative is the weight if you want to add a kicker.
sosmerc
Would my 2004 factory installed engine have the Flo-Tor III hub you're refering to?
jimh posted 06-03-2006 08:33 AM ET (US)
You can find the weight and other dimension for the Mercury OptiMax 90-HP and several other low-emission 90-HP outboard motors listed in
Low-Emission 90-HP Outboard Price Comparison
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/loEmission90.html
sosmerc posted 06-03-2006 11:57 AM ET (US)
dcritch....I doubt it very much, since the FloTorque III was really created to solve some clutch chatter issues with the 4 strokes.
But as I have said before, I use the "III" whenever possible because it seems to help in every application.

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: MONTAUK Re-power: 90-HP OptiMax
holtrph	posted 06-02-2006 12:56 PM ET (US) I am in the market for a new motor for my 1988 Montauk 17, and found a good deal on an unused 2004 Mercury 90-HP OptiMax. I have seen a few pictures on this website of others with this same setup, but my boat dealer/installer has some concerns about the increased weight. She has heard some instances of de-installations of Merucry 90 OptiMax on older Montauk's due to instability caused by increased weight. Have any of you heard of any problems with adding a Mercury 90 OptiMax to a 1988 Montauk 17? Do any of you have good experiences with this? I'd really appreciate any feedback.
Perry	posted 06-02-2006 01:16 PM ET (US) According to Brunswick's Commercial Division, the maximum motor weight for a 17' Alert (Classic Montauk) is 330 lbs. I have seen Montauk's with heavier motors on them and they seem to handle it OK.
Tom W Clark	posted 06-02-2006 01:22 PM ET (US) The classic Montauk had a maximum engine weight of 410 pounds. Just how much does an OptiMax 90 weight?!
holtrph	posted 06-02-2006 02:23 PM ET (US) The Mercury 90-HP OptiMax weighs 375 lbs. According to some delaers I have spoken with, there are some concerns about not just weight but some hull vibrations throughout the hull at certain RPM with this engine. Anyone heard/experienced this?
sosmerc	posted 06-02-2006 03:36 PM ET (US) I have rigged three Montauk's with 3-cylinder Optimax engines. There have been no complaints whatsoever. In fact, it appears to be a great combination. Be sure to run the Flo-Torq III hub in whatever prop you choose, aluminum or stainless. Mount the engine so that the cavitation plate is at least slightly above the bottom of the boat.
Buckda	posted 06-02-2006 05:03 PM ET (US) I would think that this would be an ideal engine for the Montauk 17. Remember, though, that any 3-cylinder engine is going to have unique vibration signatures. Three cylinder aren't as smooth as 4- or 6-cylinders, which is why the old balanced V4 motors from OMC were great engines for this boat. I would not hesitate to put this motor on a Montauk, so long as you are getting a good deal and are comfortable with the battery requirements of the OptiMax. Dave
dcritch	posted 06-02-2006 07:03 PM ET (US) holtrph I have been very happy with the 90 OptiMax on my 170. There is a small vibration between 1,200- and 1,800-RPM, but nothing to be concerned about. Instant starts and great acceleration. The only negative is the weight if you want to add a kicker. sosmerc Would my 2004 factory installed engine have the Flo-Tor III hub you're refering to?
jimh	posted 06-03-2006 08:33 AM ET (US) You can find the weight and other dimension for the Mercury OptiMax 90-HP and several other low-emission 90-HP outboard motors listed in Low-Emission 90-HP Outboard Price Comparison http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/loEmission90.html
sosmerc	posted 06-03-2006 11:57 AM ET (US) dcritch....I doubt it very much, since the FloTorque III was really created to solve some clutch chatter issues with the 4 strokes. But as I have said before, I use the "III" whenever possible because it seems to help in every application.