I am considering getting a War Eagle Renegade Boat with a Merc 115 4 stroke @395 lbs.Just wondering if anyone out there has one.The other option is a aluminum Ranger.As someone who has been out of a boat for about 5 years,I didn't know they quit making the 90 and 115 Optimax.Any info is appreciated. 

I am considering a war eagle also,want to see one up close though. my buddy has a ranger aluminum with a 115 etech. that's the other boat I'm looking at.

I believe the Optimax series was replaced by the Pro XS.  Can't indicate that for sure.  I would advise against the E-tec.  Way too many problems in the past

That seems to be "in the past"  They seem to be really good now.  I use a guide in TN. often and his is running flawlessly daily.

14 hours ago, gimruis said:

I believe the Optimax series was replaced by the Pro XS.  Can't indicate that for sure.  I would advise against the E-tec.  Way too many problems in the past

The same problem discussion could be said for Optimax produced during certain years. However, that's not the case recently. Mercury is also shifting or has shifted to all 4 stroke engines, I doubt any new boat sold presently will have an Optimax on the back of it.  Evinrude did have issues in the past as well, but their recent models have been doing pretty good. Both outboards are good. You will have to take other factors in consideration to make your decision. Good luck on your purchase. 

5 hours ago, BassinLou said:

The same problem discussion could be said for Optimax produced during certain years. However, that's not the case recently. Mercury is also shifting or has shifted to all 4 stroke engines, I doubt any new boat sold presently will have an Optimax on the back of it.  Evinrude did have issues in the past as well, but their recent models have been doing pretty good. Both outboards are good. You will have to take other factors in consideration to make your decision. Good luck on your purchase. 

Well, here's a new boat with a new 200 Optimax  (25 inch shaft) bought last month. 

The  200 Pro XS shaft length of 20 inches is too short for the Lund's transom height.

A-Jay

you just wanted to show off your boat again @A-Jay

1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

Well, here's a new boat with a new 200 Optimax  (25 inch shaft) bought last month. 

The  200 Pro XS shaft length of 20 inches is too short for the Lund's transom height.

A-Jay

I stand corrected.  

6 minutes ago, BassinLou said:

I stand corrected.  

That being as it may - I will offer the following observation in support of your initial thought -

This winter while at the Detroit Outdoors's show - of the let's say 300 outboard motors on display at the show that were over 150 horse power - perhaps 10 were 2 stroke !

To that's screams - "We are All In on the 4 Stroke" - I am however - not.

A-Jay

2-strokes are already illegal in California and have been for years which includes the Optimax, Pro XS, E-tec, whatever you wanna it.  Hard to imagine the rest of the country going this route but if one state can do it certainly another can too.

23 hours ago, gimruis said:

2-strokes are already illegal in California and have been for years which includes the Optimax, Pro XS, E-tec, whatever you wanna it.  Hard to imagine the rest of the country going this route but if one state can do it certainly another can too.

I see this spread around as gospel in a lot of places, but the fact is this just isn't correct. Here is a link from the horse's mouth, CA Gov. A google search will turn up a lot more info correcting the myth of the 2 Stroke ban.

http://www.dbw.ca.gov/Environmental/TwoStroke/

There are some bans of carbourated 2 stroke, which nobody makes anymore ( and these bans are on PWCs not boats), having moved to DFI Engines, which match or exceed 4 stroke emissions.

 

Quote

I doubt any new boat sold presently will have an Optimax on the back of it.

Just took delivery of my Tracker 190Tx with a new 2stroke 115 Optimax Pro XS on it.

Well played.  So its not necessarily the fact that its a 2 stroke vs a 4 stroke, its whether or not it has a specific set of emissions that meet the standard of regulation.