Merc 200 EFI

I’m still searching for a true Fish/Ski boat for the family. I know there’s a lot of tradeoffs, but it’s the best I can do to get a larger boat. I’m focusing more on an 18 1/2 – 20 foot fiberglass/composite hull from 2000 – 2010, since it will serve as a family boat better than most of the aluminum fish/ski models, and that is my primary need. Looking at Ranger Reata, Triton SF 190 and SF21, Skeeter 190 Fish and Ski, ProCraft 200 and 215 Combo, but I haven’t completely ruled out the more sporty aluminum hull boats. I do know that I want 175 hp minimum, I’ve ridden in a few boats at this size now, and while 200 hp is not completely necessary, it feels right. Could maybe go 150 if I did choose an aluminum hull boat.

From what I’ve seen so far in my date range (limited by my budget) the primary outboard is the Mercury EFI 2 stroke, and I have no firsthand knowledge of them except that they still use oil injection, which had a reputation for not being long-term reliable, and a failure of that system would likely be catastrophic to the entire motor.

What do the great minds here at IDO think of buying a boat with one of these motors that is 15-20 years old? Are they solid? Did the oil injection ever become reliable? What years? What about the Optimax 200 – are they reliable enough to count on 25 years of MN/WI seasons if properly maintained?

I always feel like I ask more than I contribute here at IDO, but the knowledge here is amazing, so as always, I appreciate any help.

I have an Opti and its been good to me so far. It is a 115hp so not sure it relates. I heard issues with some of the larger ones. The opti has oil injection but the tank is part of the engine ie under the hood, where some of the older ones had a remote tank with hoses going to the engine which I thought were less reliable.

I haven’t heard of oil injection issues since the old vro’s, and even then those systems were good when maintained. Opti’s issues were historically the air injection pump and the bigger ones used to have more issues. Anything out there still running today is probably pretty good and shouldn’t give you any problems.

In that age range any motor could or could not have problems. Now or in the future. Does not matter what brand.

Sure, I agree any motor can go bad at any time. I’m just looking for reasonable assurances based on experience

No I hear ya. I guess what I am saying is if it’s been taken care of and you take care of it should not be many issues. Every brand has had issue here and there. Never had a major one with an opti.

I’m running a 2006 225 optimax on a Triton 202. Maintain them and keep good fuel In them and they should treat you right. I pull tubes and wakeboard occasionally works good enough for our family

I would private message iowaboy1 and get his input on what model years to look at. I would trust his opinions.

Mojo if you want Iowaboy’s opinion shoot me a pm and I can get a hold of him for you.

Yes, I was hoping for a reply from some of our gurus, I had forgotten that he was going to be taking a “break”. If he is up for it, I would definitely like his suggestions. And I welcome others also.
Thanks you.

Mojo, I had a 1999 175 EFI 2 stroke Merc for 22 years. Sold it to a buddy and it’s still going strong with no issues.

mojo wrote:

Yes, I was hoping for a reply from some of our gurus, I had forgotten that he was going to be taking a “break”. If he is up for it, I would definitely like his suggestions. And I welcome others also.
Thanks you.

Look at your email Mojo.

I have a 2008 200HP Opti, I have had it for two years and works great. The Opti’s are notorious for the compressor going out between 500-800 hours so just be prepared for that depending on how many hours you’re looking at.

mojo wrote:

I have no firsthand knowledge of them except that they still use oil injection, which had a reputation for not being long-term reliable, and a failure of that system would likely be catastrophic to the entire motor.

For reasons that I’ve never understood oil injection systems became this mythical outboard destroying dragon to armchair/internet mechanics the world over. It’s like suddenly you have this brand new thing where an oil pump is attached to an engine and if it fails and all the warning and safety systems fail, then bad things happen and this situation never existed before the advent of two-stroke oil injection. Oh wait…

First of all oil injection is not new in two-stroke engines. There were highly reliable oil injection systems 20 years or more before they became common on outboards.

Secondly if you really understand these systems you know that it is virtually impossible for an OI engine to continue to run if the oil supply has somehow been cut off.

In the age range you’re looking at these outboards had highly evolved and very reliable oil injection systems. Mercury’s was one of the best right out of the gate but by the year 2000 all of the manufacturers had systems that were as failsafe as any mechanical thing can get.

One thing I always point out to people who think it’s a good idea to delete oil injection systems is this: if oil injection is so damn unreliable how did your 20 or 30 plus year old outboard make it this long? So NOW you’re going to delete the oil injection system because it’s unreliable?

Matt Vogel wrote:

I have a 2008 200HP Opti, I have had it for two years and works great. The Opti’s are notorious for the compressor going out between 500-800 hours so just be prepared for that depending on how many hours you’re looking at.

No compressor on an EFI. (It’s EFI not HPDI) The Merc 200 EFI is basically an upgrade of the carb’ed 200 Merc block made since the early 70’s. One of the most reliable marine motors ever made.

Only downside to the EFI is it will suck gas if you like running WOT. Keep it at 4000 RPM’s and it will sip gas pretty much like an Opti at the same RPM.s

FWIW – that motor “well maintained” should last 2000 hours.

Edit – agree with what Grouse wrote!

-J.

A buddy ran a 225 efi on his procraft 215 combo. It was a good motor for the time he had it. It was thirsty if you ran it hard though. He is still running the same boat but repowered with 250 proxs.

Thanks everybody for all the replies. I’m pretty comfortable with those options based on the information all of you have given.
You are right Grouse! I still run snowmobiles with oil injection as well. My hesitation is probably due to internet rumors and myths which very well may be the end of us all. My parents did have a mid-80’s Merc 35 on a pontoon that had the oil injection fail, but it was the remote reservoir type. Somehow they got insurance to cover it and the dealer switched it to pre-mix after rebuilding it, then they sold it soon after.

Have a safe season everybody.