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Author	Topic:   DAUNTLESS 180: Mercury 125-HP Caburetor Motor vs. OptiMax 150
seareid	posted 07-24-2006 06:01 PM ET (US)         I have a 2003 Dauntless 180 with a Mercury 125 Saltwater. I recently came into a deal for the same year model (2003) Mercury 150 OptiMax Saltwater. I'm real happy with my 125. I have put about 200 hours on it this summer without any real problems. In reading the reviews for the OptiMax, it looks like I could expect better fuel and oil economy, as well as a few more horses for less than a hundred pounds of added weight. I also like the idea of no carburetors and a computerized system, plus it still has 14 months of transferable warranty left on it. If I can get into this deal (purchase 150 and sell 125) for a grand or two difference, would it make sense? Would I notice the difference on my boat? One more thing, I don't currently have the digital gauges, but can I use my existing analog guages and the throttle controls, steering, etc? Any ideas, suggestions, warnings, etc., would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Seareid
VI Jamie 22	posted 07-24-2006 06:36 PM ET (US)             The answer is largely about math. You will burn about half the gas. Sounds good, but do the math. Figue out how much money you spent this summer and divide by half. This number is likely to be not alot. Plus, you may be under warantee for a year, but you need to look down the road. 2003 is not a bad year for Optimax, but it also isn't a great year. I think the better ones came stating in 2005??? Your engine should age gacefully, the opti may not. So, count on the gas savings, figue what your engine will sell for add exta repair bills and the hassle of selling your old outboard and you say you are happy with what you have, the answer may be to pass this up and wait a few years for better outboards.
SEGrin	posted 07-30-2006 12:37 PM ET (US)             Not to be picky, but to find out how much fuel money you'd save, divide by 2, not .5 Or multiply by .5. Good news about Optis - they are extremely economical. The 150 hp. hasn't seemed to be troublesome. I've had a 135 since 2000 and it's been a reliable machine. Bad news about Optis - they're noisy. That may or not matter to you. At speed, the noise is overpowered by wind, etc. Idle noise seems to me to be quite low, but that's subjective. If I had people in the stern seat often, I might think differently. Boating mag tested a 2000 Ventura (same hull) with a 135 and it got 5 mpg at 3000 rpm. Not bad at all for a boat.
seareid	posted 08-04-2006 05:12 PM ET (US)             Thanks to you both, I am still on the fence. I took the 125 out camping with the kids for 3 days, skiing, tubing, and just having fun. Burned about 30 gals in 10 hours, not too bad. I think about having a little more power and better economy, but the 125 doesn't give me any problems. I don't really know the history of the 150 and I wonder what it would do for the value of the whole rig? I guess it's just going to come down to if I can buy it right. Do either of you know if I can do a straight hookup to my controls? There both 2003 models. Thanks, Seareid.
SEGrin	posted 08-04-2006 10:35 PM ET (US)             I think you've answered your own question. Why would someone want to replace a three year old outboard? If I couldn't track down the original owner I think I'd be pretty skeptical. Realistically, I don't think that the Opti is going to transform your boat - IIRC the difference between my 135 and a 150 was less than 5 mph in top speed. I can't help you on the rigging question - sorry. Let us know what you decide to do.
BOB KEMMLER JR	posted 08-04-2006 10:47 PM ET (US)          5mph is a big jump for 15 Hp IMO,in real life the hp gap is probably a bit more between the 135 and 150.
SEGrin	posted 08-05-2006 01:39 PM ET (US)             Actually, according to BW's performance numbers, the 150 is less than 1 mph faster on a Daunt. 18. The 135 is supposed to plane quicker than the 150. I remember that when I bought the boat new I didn't see enough difference to ask the dealer to swap it up to the 150.
VI Jamie 22	posted 08-05-2006 10:25 PM ET (US)             As to the resale value of the boat. I would say that it will stay the same. Some people will pay more for the carbs and some will pay more for the fuel efficient motor, makes it about even. Yes, it is a direct easy swap. The only thing that might be different is the remote oil tank, I am not sure if your present motor has one. But it is not a big deal either way.
seareid	posted 08-09-2006 10:54 AM ET (US)             I'm moving a little closer now to purchasing the 150. Still negotiating with the seller of the 150 and the buyer of my 125. I'll probably make a trip over next week to physically look at the motor and the connections. Can't I download the history of the motor from it's 'computer'? I'm encouraged by Jamie saying it should bolt right up. I will have to add the external oil tank. I'm waiting now for the current owner to send me the original owner and his mechanics contact info. Supposedly, they took real good care of them, but sold them for larger engines. As soon as I get that, I'll give them both a call. As far as the top speed, I'm not that concerned, as I seldom run WOT. More interested in fuel economy and reliability. I don't know how much it matters, but the comparisons you made were with a 135. I have the 125 carb model. Typo? Thanks to all for your interest, and input. I'll let you know when (if) I take another step. seareid
Plotman	posted 08-09-2006 01:23 PM ET (US)             There is not all that much difference between a 135 and a 150 in the merc line because they are both V-6 built on the same block. The 125 is a 4 cyl motor. If it were me, and I could get some comfort why the owner of the 150 was selling and I could do it for a grand, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Especially with warranty remaining on the 150. At a cost of $1000 to make the switch, you need to save 330 gallons of gas to make the math work. That isn't that much...
seareid	posted 08-22-2006 09:01 AM ET (US)             Well, it looks like I'll be keeping my 125 for awhile! I made the trip to PC last week, to physically see these motors. My first impression was one of horror! They were just laying on the floor of a machine shop, with a piece of scrap carpet covering the powerpacks. The covers had been removed to facilitate lifting, and the dust/dirt was accumulating inside these motors. After removing the carpet, I could see that these motors had many more hours than mine, and showed signs of salt corrosion. Not at all as I expected. Unfortunately, I had forgotten my reading glasses, so couldn't focus on the smaller stuff. I decided to come back the next day, which I did. This time I had my glasses and a flashlight. One of the motors was laying in a position such that I could read the serial number. It clearly said 2001, not 2003 as I had been told. That explains the prior sale and the extra hours! Game Over! Thanks to you guys on this site, I knew that I didn't want anything prior to 2003. In defense of the current owner, I've never known him to be mechanically inclined. He was out of town, but I believe that he bought these motors thinking that they were 2003 motors. I haven't been able to confirm that yet. Anyway, thanks for all the input. I'll be off line for a few weeks, I'm going fishing in BC. Never caught a halibut before! Thanks, all. Seareid

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