Twin Rotax or Single Merc???

[Biffitis]

Thinking about maybe upgrading to an 1800 Challenger next spring and just wanted some feedback. Looks like pre 2000 they used the Rotax Engines and post 2000 they went to the Merc. I'd like to know your opinions on the two engines from a reliability standpoint. Since I'm looking at getting something around '99 - '01 I can go either way if one engine proves to be considerably more reliable than the other. Any other points to consider about those years?

Thanks,

 

[BMANN06]

Personally I would stick with the rotax engines (2stroke or 4stroke). Unless you are really comfortable with complex fuel systems are able to do alot of your own work (ie... you need to be really, really tech savy). I don't have any experience with the mercs, the guys that have them have said they are really reliable, but when you have problems it can't get expensive. If you go with rotax there is an abundance of parts available and a bit more support imo.

Hopefully I dont' get flamed for this but its just my $0.02

 

[Dr Honda]

Since you are looking at a boat with a choice of power... I think I would stick to the Rotax powered boat also. The Merc engiens are reliable... but they are harder to get service on... and since they are now +10 years old... there is a good chance that a rebuild will be in the near future. (not cheap) But then again... rebuilding a pair of Rotax engines isn't cheap either. But... at least it can be done, one at a time.


In my case... I always told people to stay away from the Merc engines, because of minimal parts support, and service support. Now that I am neck deep into an Islandia project (had no choice of power) I know that parts are easy to get. (but not cheap) basically... don't even think of going to a seadoo dealer. Just go straight to your local boat shop. (or on-line)

Finally... if you can't do your own work... check locally to see if there is a boat shop that works on Merc outboards. (it's basically the same engine)


I guess... if you find a good deal on a Merc boat... don't be afraid to buy it.

 

[Biffitis]

Thanks guys.

I'm not at all afraid (or incapable) of doing my own work. In fact, I like to tinker in my spare time. If I bought a boat that needed nothing (ha, imagine that, a seadoo that needs nothing ) I'd be bored.
I enjoy troubleshooting, tweaking, tuning, upgrading etc. I'm just not interested in rebuilding unless I have to.
I would have thought that 1 Merc would have been less maint. than 2 Rotax, but I guess it all depends on the previous maint.
I'm not power hungry either. Although it would be nice to get out of the water a little stronger than my current Challenger single does. I imagine both engines are comparable on power? What about fuel economy, any ideas?

 

[Dr Honda]

You didn't ask about maintenance. With the Merc... it may be a little less... but it's really about the same.

Since you are dealing with about the same power... you are looking at about the same fuel. The 240 merc drinks 28 gal/hr wide open. The pair of 800's will drink about 23.4 gal/hr. (only 220 hp) But who runs full throttle all the time??

Reflecting on that though... Rotax is getting 220 hp out of 1600cc's and 4cly... but Mercury needs 2500cc's, and 6 cyl to get 240. (the 250 is 3000 cc's) But, becasue of that... you can burn cheaper TC-w3 oil in the Merc. So... $ per mile is going to be about the same.

 

[Biffitis]

You didn't ask about maintenance.

IMO, maintenance & reliability are in the same boat (yes, pun intended). If something isn't reliable, then it's going to require lots of maintenance.
Thanks for the feedback, Dr. After reading yours (and some other) posts the consensus seems to lean towards the twins. I'm good with that... Since I'm already familiar with the 787, and a '99 is several thousand less than an '01 Challenger.