was also looking for a concept or renegade , but i fell into a new 24 checkmate with a 225 xs opti . fuel economy and worry free operation have me hooked. good bye big bock and bravo's

I have a 115 Yamaha EFI 4 stroke, it is so quiet if it were not for the pisser you would not know it was running, every person who has ever heard it is amazed. There is no dougt the OB is a dream compared to a BB packed in a hole. I learned to put a starter on with one hand, starting the bolt while holding it up. This is an art that only a nice boating day can bring out. And I sware it would have been faster to pull the motor if I had a fork lift, 4 bolts and you can just hang it in your face. I will stick with OBs, I too have only removed the cover to change the oil.

A 30 AMT with twin Merc 250 OPTI's gets 4mpg at 80 mph, all day long.

This thread has had some great input on it!! I luv it!!

I'm looking low maintenance and dependability and easy to work on!!

I have a 43 ft Black Thunder with custom 600 cu in EFI engines and a Concept 23 SF with a 225 Optimax. One hard weekend on the BT will equal a full season on the Concept. My wife loves both boats but would take the Concept over the BT in a heart beat. I had the Concept built with Livorsi gages and controls, trim tabs, jack plate ect. It is just as much fun @ 50 with 4 people as the BT @ 75. Joe Murray

Nothing rumbles like a big block, but I will always buy an outboard!