The twin Mercury 225-hp OptiMax outboards effortlessly push the boat at a 30-mph cruise. These suckers are loud, however, so much so that we’re investigating the purchase of a pair of four-strokes (from either Honda or Mercury).

Long-term reliability has always been the Holy Grail at Powerboat Reports. It’s easy to make spot assessments of design, fit and function of a new boat or a piece of gear. But the question of “how long will it last?” remains elusive, to be gleaned only after a product is well into its service life. Long-term studies of boats are particularly valuable but no less difficult to come by.

Powerboat Reports’ recent acquisition of a Boston Whaler 280 Conquest offers an unusual opportunity to tackle this perennial conundrum. The boat was made in the year 2000 and sports twin 225-hp Mercury OptiMax outboards turning stainless steel props. Its contemporary cousin in…