Hey all, looking to buy a boat. Just wondering if it is a bad idea to buy a 2009 2 stroke 90 HP Mercury Optimax as opposed to a 4 stroke? Since motors are going this direction of 4 strokes, it may be hard to find parts for repairs? Thoughts?

I have a 90 hp Optimax on my 19 ft. Tracker and love it. Never owned a 4 stroke, so I don’t know what I’m missing. Have not had any problems with mine. I use good gas, oil and additives to mine. Knock on wood my 90 has been great for 10 years. 2012

I'd say you're okay.  I didn't have trouble finding parts for 2001 115 Mercury or my 1998 2.5L Promax - both 2-strokes.  Mercs are pretty well supported.

That is a good motor, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding parts

This place has parts for Merc engines back to 1940

 

https://www.oldmercs.com

If priced the same, I would get the 4 stroke but getting parts for the 2 stroke won't be a problem  for years

Merc is fine for getting parts, probably the easiest actually. I do love my 4 stroke though. 

Two stroke outboard engines worked for over 100 years.  Mercury is not going anywhere and service is easy to find. However, the advantages of a four stroke outboard are many.   If you plan to keep the engine for a long time, you may want to step up to a new four stroke.  Fuel economy is better, they run quieter, they come with a warranty, they idle all day without hesitation, no need to add oil to the gas and they don't smoke or pollute the water.  The difference is amazing.

5 minutes ago, Captain Phil said:

Mercury is not going anywhere and service is easy to find.

Who'd have thought Evinrude would stop making outboards after 110 years?

4 hours ago, J Francho said:

Who'd have thought Evinrude would stop making outboards after 110 years?

That’s a different color horse.  In thr 90s OMC outsourced a lot of parts to overseas (China) I think.  They had lots of problems.  Genmar then bought them out and tried to resurrect them.  After them came Bombardier, a branch of the Leir Jet people.  I spent 2 days in a district meeting with them and they wouldn’t even entertain ideas from the midwest.  They marched to their own drummer.  I wasn’t surprised when they pulled the plug and decided to play another game.   I’m surprised they didn’t do it sooner.

The 2009 Mercury Optimax 3 cyclinder 2 stroke is basically 1/2 of the 200hp Optimax. This engine uses the same block as the 75hp, 90hp, 115hp and 125hp engines.

I owned the 2005 115hp Opimax 20” for 15 years without any issues, excellent engine, great gasoline mileage and quite clean running for a 2 stroke OB.

I ran a Laser 2, 20P for my Triton TR-175 with good performance about 55 mph top speed, usually traveling at 35 mph lake speed limit.

The 4 stroke is a heavier engine, 365 lbs vs 300 lbs, very quite and popular.

Customer service support is excellent with Mercury engines.

Tom 

I had nothing but issues with a 08 75hp Optimax. The engine would always have a miss at idle and was told by the dealer that this was normal and that most opti’s do this.