Optimax Gearbox

andy21 · 17-09-2009, 11:02 PM

Just a quicky...

Is there an aftermarket gearbox/lower unit (whatever it would be called) to fit onto a 200hp mercury optimax?

Something with low water pick ups?

Cheers for any help/info

Andy

Big V · 17-09-2009, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy21

Just a quicky...

Is there an aftermarket gearbox/lower unit (whatever it would be called) to fit onto a 200hp mercury optimax?

Something with low water pick ups?

Cheers for any help/info

Andy

are you looking for over 50mph next season then mate? lol

scooby_hugh · 18-09-2009, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big V

are you looking for over 50mph next season then mate? lol

andys boat is surprisingly fast to say he has a fishing motor! it goes as fast as kev's if im not mistaken!

larby · 18-09-2009, 07:07 AM

Best he comes and proves it next year then!
Andy, the gearbox you're after is a sportmaster, they're pretty pricey. Are you sure you'd gain that much by running your prop that high? Edd's on a standard pickup running as set up by offshore and for all round use i don't rekon he could better it. If you start going surface piercing you'll struggle to even get on the plane with a load of people in the boat

James

larby · 18-09-2009, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooby_hugh

andys boat is surprisingly fast to say he has a fishing motor! it goes as fast as kev's if im not mistaken!

So not that fast then?....

Cookee · 18-09-2009, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larby

Best he comes and proves it next year then!
Andy, the gearbox you're after is a sportmaster, they're pretty pricey.

James

If I'm not mistaken the Sportmasters are mostly for the 2.5 litre motors they may do one for the 3.1 but it will be a different hole pattern, so make sure you get one that will fit!

roofer · 18-09-2009, 08:14 AM

You need a sportsmaster off a 300 Promax.

andy21 · 18-09-2009, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larby

Best he comes and proves it next year then!
Andy, the gearbox you're after is a sportmaster, they're pretty pricey. Are you sure you'd gain that much by running your prop that high? Edd's on a standard pickup running as set up by offshore and for all round use i don't rekon he could better it. If you start going surface piercing you'll struggle to even get on the plane with a load of people in the boat

James

Its not 100% for the low water pick ups, I figured people talk about putting these different gearboxes on other mercs, so there must be an advantage somewhere along the line!

As for the prop height, i'd like to fit a lifter too... if I can lift the engine about 2" then it should be able to tilt all the way out the water when moored...

andy21 · 18-09-2009, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roofer

You need a sportsmaster off a 300 Promax.

Cheers!

Have you (or know anyone who has) done the swap? Any performance gains?

andy21 · 18-09-2009, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big V

are you looking for over 50mph next season then mate? lol

If I can raise my top speed by 3mph, I "should" be able to knock 2 minutes off my current round island time...

(sea conditions dependant)

Cookee · 18-09-2009, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy21

Its not 100% for the low water pick ups, I figured people talk about putting these different gearboxes on other mercs, so there must be an advantage somewhere along the line!

As for the prop height, i'd like to fit a lifter too... if I can lift the engine about 2" then it should be able to tilt all the way out the water when moored...

Get a Stainless Marine Gorilla 3 lifter - they are the strongest in my experience! 3mph is certainly possible ............. IMHO

larby · 18-09-2009, 09:09 AM

So are you gonna race next year then andy? The promax sporty was the one i meant, IIRC, Steve Hutch has a fleetmaster, that'd be a cheaper way of getting much the same gains?
What top end are you getting at the mo? Are you wanting to rig her just for top end performance or all round usability? A lifter would be a good idea as it'd allow you to drop the motor for better holeshot.

James

andy21 · 18-09-2009, 01:46 PM

I'm just toying with a few ideas at the moment really...

Put a bit more money into mine and have 1 fairly fast but reliable boat for race and pleasure...

Put the money into a lower spec race only boat and keep the ring for pleasure (that sounds wrong)

Or sell my Ring (if that kind of work is legal over here) and buy a nice put put fishing boat that will plough through big waves like a lifeboat

andy21 · 18-09-2009, 01:48 PM

oh, speed wise, (without weed) she will comfortably do 53-54 knots and 56-57 knots on the good days!

simon · 18-09-2009, 04:10 PM

Have you concidered a Bobs Machineshop nose cone? Lot cheeper alternative and still get the hight.

scooby_hugh · 18-09-2009, 04:18 PM

Get an offshore leg aswel andy

andy21 · 18-09-2009, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simon

Have you concidered a Bobs Machineshop nose cone? Lot cheeper alternative and still get the hight.

Just had a look at them now... looks like an easy way allowing me to lift the motor and not too many $$$

Part of the gearcase changine would be to change the gear ratio aswell though...

Does anybody have any comparisons between a standard gearbox and one of these fancy jobs... Doesn't have to be the same motor i guess, just anything to compare!

Cheers for the help so far!

andy21 · 18-09-2009, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooby_hugh

Get an offshore leg aswel andy

would probably sound quite nice!

scooby_hugh · 18-09-2009, 05:02 PM

your opti will be relliable so get an offshore leg and a good gearbox and set yours up for pleasure/racing with the transom jack plate!! no fishing boats

larby · 18-09-2009, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooby_hugh

Get an offshore leg aswel andy

I'm not aware of such a thing existing for the opti...?

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy21

Part of the gearcase changine would be to change the gear ratio aswell though...

Why?? It's not like you're at the kinda speeds where it'd be an advantage...

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy21

Does anybody have any comparisons between a standard gearbox and one of these fancy jobs... Doesn't have to be the same motor i guess, just anything to compare!

IMO, there's no gain to be had from just swapping the gearbox, the advantage of the sporty box is that it allows you to raise prop height, thus leaving less of the box dragging in the drink. At most you'll see about a 3-5mph increase, thats what i used to get. In the revenger i loose a load of speed if i go surface piercing (with the trim, it's pretty close all the time).

James