225 ETEC Benefits versus Mercury 225 Opti or XS

[BassCatDan]

Guys,

Looking for some feedback. I am looking for some benefits of the 225 Etec HO versus the Mercurys listed. The Evinrude website really doesn't compare the HO to the OPTIs but instead compares to the verados and other 4 strokes for the most part.

There is a chance that I might be repowering by BassCat Cougar with a 225.

Can you all provide reasons you know of why I should get the ETEC vice the Optimax or the HPDI for that matter. Key points: how is it on fuel compared to the other 2, how is it on speed, how easy/difficult to get maintenance, how is the reliability compared to the other 2.

Thanks,
BassCatDan

[Chunder]

Both motors are great, so you will have to do some reading, after you dilute the BS that they all promote you will end up with your choice which suites you best, this is what I did and I went from black to white and haven't looked back, best of luck.
Chunder
ps read the posts on this site, some bad some good.

[TW]

I have had both, an Optimax on a '06 Puma, and now a '07 225 HO ETEC on a 520 Ranger.
The fuel consumption is worse with the ETEC, this may be due to different boats, but I don't think so due to what has been published in the past. But, it is still a lot better then a non DFI engine.
In my opinion the Optimax has a better lower unit.
The ETEC doesn't have a compressor or belts to worry about. Much easier to work on like changing plugs.
The ETEC is much quieter, and starts instantly.
Finally the ETEC seems much stronger. I know the 520 is a little heavier than the Bass Cat, but it comes out the hole better and best top gps speed of 73, it also seems hot weather and humidity doesn't affect it as bad as the Opti.
Both are great engines, I would consider warranty and price to be the deciding factors if I were choosing between the two.
Tom

[Lockjaw]

My bud has a cougar with an Opti 225 and it will haul much booty. You need a minimum of a 26p trophy, and he routinely hits the rev limiter, so I would go with the XS. He gets really good gas mileage too.

I think the 225XS is the best 225 on the market for a stock DFI. Now if you want to mod one, look at the Yamaha. Its pricey, but there is a guy on Fastbass with a stage lll 3.1 liter 225 Yammie on a stroker and it runs 106+ on GPS.

Its not a DFI motor though.