Mariner 150 Opti-max

Nick Hearne · 23 June 2005, 17:22

Hi, I have been looking out for one of these for some time at a good price, to put on Rosie!
This one http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1
is 6 years old but ony 70 hours, looking like new!

Did they not have problem with these in the early models?

How much do you think fitting buy a dealer will be?

Is Opti oil that expensive?

Any one got some ideas to tell the wife as to why we need it?

What do you think the old 1992 Johnson 100HP be worth?

Any good or bad thoughts to this sensible idea?

Nick

Alan · 23 June 2005, 17:39

Wouldnt 150hp be a bit much for a 5.75m RIB?

Early Opti problems I think were more on the 200hp's. On a 2001 Merc Opti we had a problem with the trim pump but that was it. Dealer fitting I guess around 500 quid. No idea on price of Opti oil now.

I would guess your current engine is worth what 1000 quid? Assuming in good nick.

Ebay seller looks to be a bricks and mortar business so thats reassuring. (IIRC there is an outboard motor shop in Rainham Essex so mebbe the same people.) 6 year old engine with 70 hours? Hmm, mebbe the old adage about more hours = more care is important. I think their reserve price is pretty high for a 6 year old motah.

No idea how to convince your wife. Sorry!

Nick Hearne · 23 June 2005, 20:56

Thanks for that, Viper 5.75 is rated up to 150hp so it should be no probs also it will move some with this on the back! Also I'm hoping to get a improvement in fuel consumption cruise at the 20 to 25 knots mark!
Nick

ashbypower · 23 June 2005, 21:01

HP looks OK on the RiB but please take care OPTi's are heavier than their 2st Equiv, ensure that the transom can take the weight.Stay Safe.

Brian

Nick Hearne · 23 June 2005, 21:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashbypower

HP looks OK on the RiB but please take care OPTi's are heavier than their 2st Equiv, ensure that the transom can take the weight.Stay Safe.

Brian

Thanks for that Brian, I have emailed Osprey to get there advice!
Nick

Pete7 · 24 June 2005, 08:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan

Wouldnt 150hp be a bit much for a 5.75m RIB?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

Also I'm hoping to get a improvement in fuel consumption cruise at the 50 to 55 knots mark!
Nick

Nick that is really going to fly with that much power, there will be queues for rides on her. Paid £3.5k for a similar engine a year ago.

Pete

Nick Hearne · 24 June 2005, 09:09

50 to 55 knots, that should keep the kid quiet!

Anyone know the difference in weight of the 2 Eugine's?

CJL · 24 June 2005, 09:25

Nick,

If you get the opti check to see that there is a blue collar around the injectors or the intector is totally blue. If the engine hasn't got this then I'd steer well clear.

Its about £1k to get all the injectors changed and it should have been done under warranty about 3 years ago.

Besides that I'd check to see if OPTI oil has been used or not. Its not the end of the world f it hasn't but it gives you a good indication if it has been looked after.

Its also worth remembering that low hours isn't necessarily a good thing!

Chris

CJL · 24 June 2005, 09:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan

Wouldnt 150hp be a bit much for a 5.75m RIB?

Nah way. Try a 5.5 Humber with a 150 Opti.

Lots of smiles per mile!

Nick Hearne · 24 June 2005, 10:32

It dose not appear to come with smart gauges, are these going to cost the earth? Aluminum prop not so good ether!
Nick

"IT COMES WITH ONE SMALL WARNING LIGHT GAUGE,FOR PETROL,OIL ETC. IT HAS A ALUMINIUM 23PITCH PROP FITTED"

Andy Stevens · 24 June 2005, 11:16

I cant figure out the bloody smart gauges anyway lol!

CJL · 24 June 2005, 11:29

My Merc doesn't have the smart gauges either but its one of the very first Opti's into the UK.

I know that mine cannot have the smart cratf guages added so you would be wise to get the serial number and check with a friendly merc/mariner dealer if it can be done.

Chris

Nick Hearne · 24 June 2005, 13:31

Got some answers back!
Been quoted £500 to swap engines over + £800 part ex on the old Johnson!

"HI NICK
THANKS AGAIN FOR QUESTIONS

1/I HAVE MADE SOME FURTHER ENQUIRYS REGARDING THIS MOTOR.THE UNIT WAS PREVIOUSLY OWNED BY A MERCURY AGENT AND USED ON A FRESH WATER LAKE IN NORTHERN PORTUGAL. THERE IS AN IMMINENT BAN ON TWO STROKE MOTORS ON THIS PARTICULAR LAKE HENCE THE REASON FOR THE SALE.

2/THE MOTOR WAS LAST SERVICED JANUARY THIS YEAR AND A NEW WATER PUMP IMPELLOR FITTED

3/THE DEALER WAS WELL AWARE OF THE INJECTOR RECALL AND CAN CONFIRM THAT THE RECALL WAS ON THE LATER 2000 AND 2001 MODELS.

4/CAN CONFIRM IT HAS NOT BEEN USED WITH OPTI 2 STROKE OIL AS THIS IS NOT BIO-DEGRADABLE. IT HAS HOWEVER BEEN USED WITH A SYNTHETIC MERCURY 2 STROKE OIL WHICH IS BIO-DEGRADABLE AND A FAR BETTER OIL THAN OPTI OIL.
I HOPE THIS INFO IS OF USE
REGARDS"

Pete7 · 24 June 2005, 13:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

Got some answers back!
Been quoted £500 to swap engines over

How much

for four bolts and some wires. Nick if you can restore anitque furniture then swopping the engines over will be a walk in the park, a day tops. I fitted mine myself and just got the dealer to give it the once over with the mercury servicing computer once fitted, 10 minutes of a dealers time tops.

Would be tempted to ring Barrus and ask them about the syn oil question and go for it depending on there answer.

Pete

Nick Hearne · 24 June 2005, 13:47

Ops!

Nick Hearne · 24 June 2005, 13:48

Yep, I think you have a point!
I have changed a few car engine in the past, so should not be too bad!
Nick

Daniel · 24 June 2005, 13:55

Hi Nick, just got your PM and replied about economy (1li per mile or 30li per hour at upto 80% WOT). I'm not sure you'll acheive the top speed you are aspiring to with the osprey hull. She is a nice deep V and has a design speed of 40something knots i think. Mine is certianly on the limit of control and stability at 45knots.

The early opti's did not support smartcraft, and had a simple integrated gauge as you describe. The gauges are silly money to buy seperate (if supported) (£1000) so i wound not think that is going to happen.

Good news is i don't beleive there is any way to "fake" the hours run on these new engines, although i don't know what would happen if the ECU was replaced (unlikely and very, very expensive unless under warenty)

Nick Hearne · 24 June 2005, 14:04

50 - 55 knots that came from Peter7 not me, 45 knots is what Osprey quote as max! Top end speed is fun but not the reason for the upgrade, but better fuel consumption at 20 to 25 knots would be good! Managed 37 knots at the weekend with the old Johnson 100HP, just me on board. 50 hp extra for 8 knot maybe a bit daft

But then when was owning a boat sensible?
Nick

Rogue Wave · 24 June 2005, 18:35

I think for it's age it's pricey (buy it now price) also I don't like the answers the dealer gave you pertcularly the Oil

Opti's aren't the easiest engines to keep looking like new (as this one does) so the hours may well be right, however engine hours are zeroed when a new ECU is fitted,

Daniel TD5 · 24 June 2005, 18:59

nick

ive be two to see that dealer two times now he seem a very help full guy
a lot better thay were i got my new rib from hes on the A13 in essex so well worth a trip to have a chat with him when ive been in he has had a good supply of second hand engines

go see him see what he will do as a offer its a lot of money for a ebay sale

dan