Hrs on an outboard question.

[bassfisher444]

My 2010 Optimax still runs like brand new, other than routine maintenance all I have had to do to it is replace an ignition coil which was very easy.

[DaveBrabec]

My Optimax is 16 years old. No hour meter. Couldn’t tell you how many hours. Hasn’t been on a computer in 6 years. Had 350 on it then. Replaced a coil. Other than that just normal maintenance

[BroWhoop]

I would have someone pull the hours on the engine. They can give the hours per 1000 rpm to see where the engine spent a lot of time. 2000 and under should have a lot, if above 5000 is extremely high (personally) I would decline. I would prefer the 3000 to 5000 rpm engine.

[bassfisher444]

I would have someone pull the hours on the engine. They can give the hours per 1000 rpm to see where the engine spent a lot of time. 2000 and under should have a lot, if above 5000 is extremely high (personally) I would decline. I would prefer the 3000 to 5000 rpm engine.

Above 5000 is the correct operating range for just about all outboards, running them below the reccomend operating range for extended periods of time does more harm than good.

[Highcentered]

Above 5000 is the correct operating range for just about all outboards, running them below the reccomend operating range for extended periods of time does more harm than good.

I'd like to hear what the mechanics who work on these motors daily have to say about that.

[BroWhoop]

Above 5000 is the correct operating range for just about all outboards, running them below the reccomend operating range for extended periods of time does more harm than good.

They're designed to operate there, but not all the time. A lot of rotating mass at high rpm for long period of time. You take larger engines that is a lot of stress. A car engine while designed to operate above 5000, is operated daily at +/- 2000 rpm. Double that to 4000 the 150k to 200k is now shot before 100k or less. I've seen pumps operating at 3600 rpm 50 years old, 1750 rpm pumps rarely last that near that long, can't say never but most do not. Best analogies I have.

[bassfisher444]

They're designed to operate there, but not all the time. A lot of rotating mass at high rpm for long period of time. You take larger engines that is a lot of stress. A car engine while designed to operate above 5000, is operated daily at +/- 2000 rpm. Double that to 4000 the 150k to 200k is now shot before 100k or less. I've seen pumps operating at 3600 rpm 50 years old, 1750 rpm pumps rarely last that near that long, can't say never but most do not. Best analogies I have.

Outboard motors aren't car engines, outboards are designed to run constantly at max RPM car engines aren't.

[bassfisher444]

I'd like to hear what the mechanics who work on these motors daily have to say about that.

Sure just go ask in the Mercury section.

[BroWhoop]

Outboard motors aren't car engines, outboards are designed to run constantly at max RPM car engines aren't.

Agreed!

[MarKimBassTeam2021]

What I'm looking at is a 2013 Merc Pro XS 250 with 800 Hrs.

[Highcentered]

What I'm looking at is a 2013 Merc Pro XS 250 with 800 Hrs.

That's a lot of hours for that motor in my honest opinion. It might still have several hundred good hours left in it but I've seen the Opti pop with way less. Is the powerhead newer or is it the one that motor was born with? If the powerhead has been replaced you might be OK or maybe not. It's a gamble. All depends on the previous owner(s) operating habits.

[PowerFish]

Every single one of us could blow the motor on the very next turn of the key. New, Old, 1hr, 100hrs, 1000hrs.

Be diligent, ask questions (you are), have a shop check it out, pull hours, codes etc. The used boat you buy could last forever, or a few days. The 2002 Skeeter I sold in 2010 with a 250 OX66 Yamaha on it, just finally gave up last fall with well over 1000hrs on it. The main thing is feeling like you get your money's worth out of the engine while it lasts...

[Rangerdeepv]

What I'm looking at is a 2013 Merc Pro XS 250 with 800 Hrs.

That would be a trip to my local outboard shop for a once or twice over and a decent discount on the price. Is the rest of the boat in decent shape also? Tells a lot about how the motor was/is maintained and ran.

[Silkstringz]

The correct answer is there is no real answer. Any of them can pop any day you go. Some blow at 2000hr, some at <100hr etc....Its the issue with owning a boat. I understand its not feasible for all, but I usually get rid of my boats before the warranty runs out. I own a 2023 pro xs and I am fully aware it could blow the next trip out.....and it may go the next 20 years.

[Wormdunker]

I am in a similar situation but I own a boat now and often consider upgrade to a larger boat. My 02 Ranger 518vs with 200 Yamaha HPDI has about 700 hours on it now, I bet 90% are at about 3000 RPM or less. Likely 75% are at idle due to scanning and the like. Those 700 hours have been put on it May - September (occasionally October) since 2002 when I bought it new. Always stored in a garage. I debate the same thing you are when I consider a newer bigger rig. Don't have much to add but to say, my 200 Hpdi, comes out of storage every year, gets batteries put back in typical measures to ready the boat, I back it into the water and she fires and runs flawless. Runs so good I cant get myself to sell it. Thinking repower will be the direction I go someday but not sure when that will be.

I think you can tell a lot by the shape of the rig. IF the boat is super clean and meticulous, up to date from a technology standpoint the motor has likely been well cared for. when you are shopping, check out the nooks and crannies. A boat can get clean for selling but if the bilge and other deeper areas of the boat aren't kept up you probably have a sing the motor isn't either.

[Highcentered]

The correct answer is there is no real answer. Any of them can pop any day you go. Some blow at 2000hr, some at <100hr etc....Its the issue with owning a boat. I understand its not feasible for all, but I usually get rid of my boats before the warranty runs out. I own a 2023 pro xs and I am fully aware it could blow the next trip out.....and it may go the next 20 years.

The 7 year warranty went out on mine yesterday. I'm gonna roll the dice because it only has a little over 200 hours and I don't abuse it. As much as I want to upgrade (and will be buying new when I do), the price to put me in a new larger tin rig is a tough pill to swallow on my paycheck. I could make the payments but what I have is paid for and is a nimble fish catching machine. Fish Maumelle 99% of the time and it's fine for that size lake.

[MarKimBassTeam2021]

That 2013 Mercury Pro XS 250 with 800 Hrs is hanging on the same year Legend Alpha 211. The boat is in awesome shape.

[geodebasser]

I bought a used boat with a HPDI from a friend. I knew that he took care of the motor and had it maintained yearly. The boat was always garage kept. Most of the hours were at a low to mid RPM since he was not a tournament fisherman. It had 600 hours when I bought it four years ago. So far no problems but I maintain it well. Bottom line I would have never bought that boat if I had not known the owner .

[Justfishing]

Probably not rare for a work or ocean motor to go 3000-5000, but a bass boat on a small lake that turns on 30 times a day and runs 2 minutes at wide open may only make it 600 hours. The whole hour thing is just one part of the puzzle, maintenance and use decide a lot. Getting a unbiased 3rd party mechanic to give it a once over with a compression test to show consistent pressures in the good range is a best purchase practIce

I disagree. I have seen rental boats at lake of the ozarks go over 4,000 hours. Boats used for pulling skiers or tubes. Boats that see loads from 2people to 8. No changing the prop based on load. Also not fitted with the max horsepower.

What they did get is regular maintenance.