Posts: 1663
Location: Kodiak, AK | I did some of the same research when boat shopping myself a couple of years ago, and this is what I've picked up between then and now. Others will know (and be able to add or correct) more.
The Merc Opti's of that era had some fuel issues if memory serves. I'm not a Merc guy so I'm not as well versed, but I know there's updates that needed completed and there was a thread about that very thing on here recently. Don't know much about the EFI's. A buddy has an 01 that's still running well on a 520.
Some of the early HPDI's (may be a bit later than the years you're looking for) had oil pump issues and they smoked some motors. I'd guess that any HPDI series 1 you see now will either already have the update, or will have already blown, but be sure to take it to a Yamaha mech and have it verified. The OX66's are awesome motors. I loved mine.
The Evinrude Fichts are LEGENDARY for their problems. Typically it was their midrange 115-175 motors and supposedly the 200+ Fichts were fine, but the name "FICHT" is synonomous with trouble and will hurt resale value. So if you see one with a Ficht, be sure to get some $$ knocked off the asking price. But like I say, I know guys who've run and loved Fichts in the larger sizes. Many are still on the water doing fine, but they do have a rep. |
