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To whomever can provide useful information.

I have long admired and wanted to purchase a Boston Whaler and the time has come where I now have the ability (at least a used one) to.

I am working a deal to purchase a 2001 Conquest 28' that is powered by Twin 225 Mercury Optimax Salt Water line motors (same year). The motors have 140 hours on them. I have been doing some digging around on other forums and reviews and have come across two concerns with this boat and power set up. I figured I need to go straight the the best source, which would be other BW owners.

Issue #1: Getting the boat to plane out properly and easily has been a voiced problem by some other owners.
Issue #2: That the 225 Optimax motors are garbage and there are more experiences with issues than there are success stories.

Any feedback, good or bad about this particular boat and power set up would be greatly appreciated. I assume there are some members here that owned or still own the same boat and setup.

Prior to purchasing anything I still plan on getting a structural and mechanical survey.

Your help is greatly appreciated.


(Edit: corrected name to Conquest 28' as the 285 was not made until 2006)