Posts: 32954
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | 'well it's funny to me that every one that had an HO chiming in on this thread blew theirs up... and even Merckid said in another thread I think that the only guys he see's running H.O's with any consistency are the guys that turn them in after 1 yr .... so a regular opti has X # of HP, and a Pro XS same engine size has more right? same w/ the HO's...to me anytime you try to crank out more HP out of any given 2 stroke size motor, whether it's in a snowmobile, motocross bike, etc you are asking for trouble..and I've tinkered and blown up enough 2 stroke motors since 1986 to think that is true...but maybe not... but I wouldn't buy an HO w/ out a warranty! '
The 'build' on the HO and Pro XS are completely different than the standard models. They are not taking a standard 225 and trying to boost the HP by running them 'hotter'. Up until the Pro XS models, the XS models were Mercury Racing motors and were built on a completely different line, and assembled by hand. The Pro XS models are now built as a standard production motor to Merc Racing specs; and sled, that line is well known to produce the most durable motors one might buy. Been to both factories several times, and I've watched those motors in the processes of being built. These ain't special build racing sleds and the actual output isn't THAT much higher than the 225 Opti or Rude. These are production outboards that have to be warrantied for a long period of time, and the durability under normal to severe use has to be there. You are a business savvy guy, would it make sense to build a popular, well selling 225 that would require multiple warranty visits? Both Bombardier and Merc know how to build an engine. Tell me, how much does the USCG/NMMA allow over the actual prop shaft horsepower on the cowl for the 'performance' engines? That's why the 200 Merc Opti wasn't originally available as an XS...it already was there.
MANY of the FLW/AIM Tour Pros run their motors two years, and some more than that. The number of hours they run is roughly equal to three times normal use and much more abusive because of the waters they fish and number of days they spend on the water. At one event last year, the average distance traveled every day, including prefish, was over 130 miles. If a motor is going to fail regularly, it will be there, and I'm at the service trailers several times an event talking to the tech folks. Both brands had bugs to work out of a couple engines first year out, and both did so to the point where those models now are extremely reliable engines.
The idea all the HO models are 'bad' is just plain incorrect.
When you get the chance to see as many V6 Outboards in extreme use as we do on the Walleye Trails, your perspective might be a little different.
There's a huge number of HO Evinrudes running out there with no issues at all or Bombardier/Evinrude would be in trouble; and it's obvious they are not. I'm on the ground at the AIM. FLW, and MWC events and see these engines in severe use regularly, and I can tell you the incidence of warranty of the HO and Pro XS (especially the Pro XS) is actually about average compared to all the engines built by both manufacturers according to the technical folks from both companies.
I've seen as many Suzuki outboards down by ratio as Evinrude...does that make Suzi a bad choice?
Of course not. |
