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We have used a year 2001 Opitmax 200 on a 1973 Revenge 21 since purchased new. It is a 3.0 liter, same machine as the 250. It has run strong since new. Only one trouble in 2012, Crank Position Sensor failure. Blame on corrosion after 11 seasons on salt water in Maine (moored all summer)--- fog too of course. Replaced the $100 dollar part and all was well. Regular maintenance only- other than that.
Runs very well on the Revenge 21 with a Mercury Hi-Five 13x21p. The high-five really hangs on in turbulent waters and almost never ventilates-- in contrast to the standard Quicksilver 3 blade SS 19" that was used on the previous Merc 175 hp 2 stroke carb V6 "classic" on this Whaler. The "High-Five" hangs on right through the transition from displacement and getting onto plane, when the boat is really "bow-high", which is much better than the standard 3 blade was. The standard 3 blade would slip and wind-up if you stayed at that transition speed at all, you had to push past it to get the prop to latch-up again. Tops out at about 53 mph and 5700 rpm. Very comfortable in-shore river-running cruise at 3800 rpm and 30 mph.
Always has started up after two revolutions, whether first start after winter storage, cold start on the water, or warm start. We use a full size water separating filter on the transom. The engine has a spin-on filter as well under the cowl with a water sensor built in. We have used Mercury Premium Plus oil when new, and then it was switched to the Mercury DFI-Optimax oil when it came out and was recommended.
It has close to 2000 hours showing on the gauge set. It has the Smart-Tach /Smart-Speedo combination in the dash.
I run an optimax. It is only a 150 but I thought I would chime in. I love the motor. I enjoy the Smart Gauge that tells me Gph usage along with all the regular battery voltage and rpm stuff.
The best part of the opti is I go to florida every year with a friend. My first year with the Optimax, we ran side by side for four days of fishing. I burned 18 gallons and he burned 40 gallons with a carbed 150 Johnson.
