2015 Mercury Optimax 250 Information

[gooseaholic]

I'm looking at a boat that has a 2015 Mercury 250 Optimax w/~725 hours.

Reading online it seems like the compressor is prone to failure but can be maintained to prevent failure somewhat easily. It looks like they can be easy on gas but it's important to use the Merc EFI oil and gas additive.

Does anyone have information and experience on those late Optimax production motors?

[jwterry3]

Try the hull truth.com

Early optis we’re trash but they made decent models in those years…..loud as shit

[gooseaholic]

I've read a little from that site already. Once I have more time I'll do some further digging.

[SouthernWake]

Make sure you can get service should you need it. No one wants to touch one around here.

[lil 2 sleepy]

I have 2 2014 250s and they have been pretty good. Biggest issues we have had are the lower units in the Optis. Tons of torque and the lowers for Merc have always had problems. Mine have ~1150 hours in them and they are super efficient on fuel.

The optipop versions were 2001-2007ish.

[lil 2 sleepy]

Make sure you can get service should you need it. No one wants to touch one around here.

This is true, all anyone wants to mess with are the 4 strokes these days.

[Gone South]

You don’t have to use efi oil, but if you troll or idle a lot, it is formulated to foul plugs less than their premium-plus oil

[gooseaholic]

All good info. I appreciate it.

Edited to add:

Having looked into getting some service done on my other boat motor the shops are 6 weeks out just to look at it. If you need mechanic level service you're going to get out of the water for a while!

[Fireman]

I had a buddy with an 08 225. He never serviced anything but the water pump. Only had one compressor failure. We put that motor through hell. He sold the boat with 1300hrs on it and the other guy is still running it today.

It definitely has that 2 stroke growl to it. It was always music to my ears.

[gooseaholic]

I'm not fancy enough to have a 4 stroke on my current boat. Always hear the motor, that's how I know it's running!