1979 exciter update

[Bronc71]

I have not been on line that much just thought i would give you guys an update. Boat's been great had some motor trouble put a piston through the block so did some scrambling and put together something just for this year. It's a 1993 200 carb with 1988 foot. My Question to you guys is i think i want to go optimax 200 or 225 is there anyone running this motor on an exciter?
If so how is the performance (I'm worried about the weight)
Will upload some on the water pics
Thanks Marc

 

[Bronc71]

 

[Bronc71]

It's not that clear but she runs around 60MPH at 5600RPM

 

[Bronc71]

 

[Bronc71]

 

[Bronc71]

 

[Bronc71]

 

[Bronc71]

 

[Bronc71]

 

[Bronc71]

 

[70 ragtop]

Nice looking boat!

Sorry, can't answer your question

 

[DropTop5.0]

If so how is the performance (I'm worried about the weight)

I can't really help but I can give you food for thought. JJG on this forum (sometimes) ran a Pulsare 185 with a Verado 175 HP (weight of 510 pounds) and his boat seemed to run really well.

Beautiful boat by the way, I'm envious of the flake.

 

[corey331]

I know quite a few years ago, Nick (ndaniels on here) had an Exciter and he put on a 225hp 3.0L Johnson which is probably about the same weight at a 225 Opti. The boat ran awesome!! 79.9 on GPS if I remember correctly.

 

[Bronc71]

Thanks for the info keep it coming!!!!
I have found a 1999 225 pro max with what the ad says is very low hrs pictures of motor looks clean anyone here have experience with this motor. He's asking a lot for it $9000.00 obo Canadian I think I can get it for $6500.00 been for sale for awhile. Priced out new 200 opti best price was $24000.00 out the door taxes in and I do install
Is the pro max a ticking time bomb not sure what is different

 

[70 ragtop]

Thanks for the info keep it coming!!!!
I have found a 1999 225 pro max with what the ad says is very low hrs pictures of motor looks clean anyone here have experience with this motor. He's asking a lot for it $9000.00 obo Canadian I think I can get it for $6500.00 been for sale for awhile. Priced out new 200 opti best price was $24000.00 out the door taxes in and I do install
Is the pro max a ticking time bomb not sure what is different

The Pro Max looks to be about the same weight as the old 2.4 Mercs at 375lbs.

 

[ForbesZ]

Thanks for the info keep it coming!!!!
I have found a 1999 225 pro max with what the ad says is very low hrs pictures of motor looks clean anyone here have experience with this motor. He's asking a lot for it $9000.00 obo Canadian I think I can get it for $6500.00 been for sale for awhile. Priced out new 200 opti best price was $24000.00 out the door taxes in and I do install
Is the pro max a ticking time bomb not sure what is different

If you're looking for brand new, I believe Paul at Top Gun Marine would be closer to $20,000 CDN out the door on a new Merc 200 ProXS opti and he might even include the rigging in that price. But he's in Bradford Ontario which is a bit of a drive for you. Also if you call him to get pricing you'll have to be prepared to be patient because he's always super busy and his phone is always ringing, so sometimes he has to avoid answering the phone to get his customers' jobs done and out the door. But I think a little patience is worth it because Paul has always been extremely fair, upfront and honest with me.

Also note that if you ever leave your boat with Top Gun (as is the case with most places), make sure you put on all the covers and stuff yourself. He's always got so many boats coming and going that he simply has no time to find and install covers on people's boats whenever it rains. I would be a shame for that beautiful boat of yours to get rain and leaves inside it!

 

[Bronc71]

Thanks on the TOP GUN MARINE tip i have tried calling him very hard to get on the phone. The drive is no problem boat was redone by Ronny's Marine in Peterborough and i made 4 trips down there last winter!!!!
The 1999 pro max 225 that i'm looking at the owner says top gun rebuilt it and it only has 75hrs on it since that is why im trying to contact him now to find out if it's true.

 

[DropTop5.0]

One can buy a lot of gas for $15,000.

 

[ForbesZ]

Thanks on the TOP GUN MARINE tip i have tried calling him very hard to get on the phone. The drive is no problem boat was redone by Ronny's Marine in Peterborough and i made 4 trips down there last winter!!!!
The 1999 pro max 225 that i'm looking at the owner says top gun rebuilt it and it only has 75hrs on it since that is why im trying to contact him now to find out if it's true.

Yes he is, at this time of year especially. I'm going to be driving right past his shop tomorrow morning anyway so I can stop in and see if he's there. If he is I can ask him about that 1999 ProMax 225 as well as what his price is on a new 200 Opti. If you can PM me the seller's first name for the 225 ProMax that would be good - Top Gun rebuilds A LOT of motors for people and many of them are 225 ProMaxes, so if I just say 225 ProMax he probably won't know which one I'm talking about.

 

[ForbesZ]

One can buy a lot of gas for $15,000.

Very true ... don't expect the gas savings to pay back the cost of an Opti, even at inflated Canadian gas prices. They do use noticeably less gas (& oil) though, plus they start/idle/run a little better, have no choke, no need to squeeze primer bulb, have no blue smoke/smell, support Smartcraft stuff, etc. Plus most people upgrading to an Opti get more HP while they're at it, so that has a value too. Still a lot of money though.