E-Tec a factor in a used boat decision?

Wanted to ask this but did not want to hijack the used boat thread another user started. If you found a boat that fits all your needs but had a low-hours, well maintained E-Tec (or even a Johnson for that matter) – would you let that be a show-stopper since they stopped manufacturing?

I don’t want to get into an E-Tec debate, I know they’re polarizing – some love theirs, others have had troubles. But let’s say it was low-hours and well-maintained. I will likely be purchasing a used boat sometime in the next two summers – not rushing it and waiting for the right thing to come along. I feel like anything with an Evinrude or Johnson is a red flag, though.

I’m sure there are enough around for used parts, etc. But are they doing any OEM parts for these anymore? Also, Warranties are suspended aren’t they?

It would depend on the hp, model. There are some better then other. As far as warranty goes I believe they are gonna keep honoring those, parts they are definitely gonna keep that going I believe.

gregory wrote:

It would depend on the hp, model. There are some better then other. As far as warranty goes I believe they are gonna keep honoring those, parts they are definitely gonna keep that going I believe.

This.. Anything 90 or under I wouldnt be overly concerned, but some of the larger ones depending on year were very problematic.
As with anything that goes the way of the Edsel, they have to maintain a parts inventory and honor the warranty during its initial period. Not sure if warranty is transferrable on them however so that would be something to check into.

Warranties are still honored. Parts availability is supposed to be around but we’ll see if that comes true.

I’m sure this thread will go like all the other etec ones. The one thing that is consistent is related to resale. If you care about that then your future buyers will either not want it at all or be concerned like you. If you don’t care, all good

What year and what horsepower? While some swear off all makes/models they weren’t all deserving of a bad reputation. ex. the early 6 cylinder power heads were notorious for blowing up. The 4 cylinder was better as were more recent motors.

For me, too much uncertainty about long term support and too much negativity in people’s perceptions. FWIW, I wouldn’t but others have done well.

I wouldn’t buy one but many will. My understanding was that the biggest issue was they didn’t have enough Techs trained to repair them things if something did go wrong. If they didn’t have enough techs when producing them what will happen in 3-4 years? I’m positive there will be backyard mechanics that spring up that will be able to fix them. Now, if you can wait in line to hopefully have a guy who knows how to fix them more power to ya.

If you buy a boat and save $10 grand and you get 10 years out of it before you have to replace it would you be ahead or behind compared to buying a boat with a serviceable brand?

Your money, your choice.

I have 2 E-tecs and they were both good for me. I personally really liked the power and sound and prefer a 2 stroke over a 4. The big thing would be resale. If you are going to run it for a long time and not worried about trying to flip it a few years down the road I would go for it.

ThunderLund78 wrote:

Wanted to ask this but did not want to hijack the used boat thread another user started. If you found a boat that fits all your needs but had a low-hours, well maintained E-Tec (or even a Johnson for that matter) – would you let that be a show-stopper since they stopped manufacturing?

Not sure how much research you’ve done, but most Johnson OB’s for the last decade or 2 are re-badged Suzuki 4-strokes, not DFI 2-strokes.

HRG

I wouldn’t hesitate to buy a used Johnson 4 stroke.

E-Tec = Deal Killer.

-J.

Does a rebuild with 100 hours on it make it a better or worse idea?

I know a bunch of guys who won’t touch them, and I completely excluded them from my search. With that said, for the right discount it could make sense. They probably get more sh!t online than they realistically deserve, but them being discontinued just adds to the uncertainty.

Not sure what your price range is, but if it’s significantly discounted vs. the 4S’s and you get get into a nicer/bigger boat you could consider it.

Well there is a lot of boats especially in the Midwest with them hanging on the back. I can not imagine the are just going to haul these boats to the dump now. Plenty of good dealers still servicing them and I would think continue to do so since there is good money to be made in service.

It depends on the deal.

If it’s the boat I wanted, with a later gen Etec, in the condition I wanted, AND I can get enough money off to cover a good portion of a repower if eventually needed, absolutely I’d buy an Etec.

I get that some guys are absolutely terrified of even the idea of a repower. They’d rather pay any amount of money to avoid even the possibility of it. I’m in the other camp, right boat, right condition, right price, I’d do it.

BRP is still honoring warranties.

As far as parts, a lot of guys seem to be forgetting that Etec engines are still being manufactured by the thousands for snow machines. Not sure what the common parts base is, but I doubt outboards use 100% different parts with zero overlap. Either way, because of the abrupt nature of the Etec being discontinued plus aftermarket and used parts on the market, parts will be available for decades to come.

Grouse

TheFamousGrouse wrote:

As far as parts, a lot of guys seem to be forgetting that Etec engines are still being manufactured by the thousands for snow machines. Not sure what the common parts base is, but I doubt outboards use 100% different parts with zero overlap. Either way, because of the abrupt nature of the Etec being discontinued plus aftermarket and used parts on the market, parts will be available for decades to come.

Grouse

It would be interesting to know if there’s any parts crossover at all, but Etec snowmobile engines are only 600 or 850 cc. What size outboards would that correlate with? I imagine it would only be the really small ones, like 15-60 HP outboards.

tswoboda wrote:

It would be interesting to know if there’s any parts crossover at all, but Etec snowmobile engines are only 600 or 850 cc. What size outboards would that correlate with? I imagine it would only be the really small ones, like 15-60 HP outboards.

There would be very little crossover because the snowmobile engines are 2 cylinders, not 4 or 6. Injection technology may be shared, but even at that the throttle bodies would have to be different sizes etc. No internal engine components would be shared that I can think of.

tswoboda wrote:

It would be interesting to know if there’s any parts crossover at all, but Etec snowmobile engines are only 600 or 850 cc. What size outboards would that correlate with? I imagine it would only be the really small ones, like 15-60 HP outboards.

Right, but there are so many parts in an engine that are not HP or size-specific. Seals, bearings, etc. Also with the pressure in manufacturing to absolutely minimize parts inventories and to use common parts across models for supply chain efficiency, I’d be shocked if there were no common parts.

There is also big pressure to use parts that are already in existence when designing a new model. Why custom-design a water pump impeller when there are dozens of impellers already being manufactured by existing suppliers? If there aren’t already cross-references, there will be.

Also, the aftermarket parts places will keep making common parts no matter what and someone, somewhere will be rebuilding assemblies, powerheads, etc as long as there is demand. Where there’s $, there will be somebody there to supply the need.

I keep a 1965 Deere tractor running, only 10k of them were made over just 4 years. I’m amazed no matter how small and bizarre the part, between OEM, aftermarket, standard parts, and used, I have always been able to get parts. Way more Etecs out there than that, can’t believe parts will just run out anytime soon if you’re motivated enough.

Grouse

I have about five years on mine and over 300 hours with no issues whatsoever. (Knock on wood.) I would not hesitate on one built after 2010 or so. Parts and maintenance won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. Try to use it in the price negotiation as a buyer but don’t expect a huge discount unless it’s an old one.

Do you have a regular marine dealer or ??? who will work on whatever you buy?? If yes call them and see if they work on E-tek? If you don’t have somebody now, find the dealer now and ask him? I have a 1996 Evinrude 60hp and my dealer works on them.

That’s because they are a repainted Suzuki motor, one of the best out there.

koldfront kraig wrote:

I wouldn’t hesitate to buy a used Johnson 4 stroke.

I luv my Johnzuki….only thing BRP on it is the wire harness and controls….you can even convert this by buying a zuki harness and controls.

Sylvanboat wrote:

Do you have a regular marine dealer or ??? who will work on whatever you buy?? If yes call them and see if they work on E-tek? If you don’t have somebody now, find the dealer now and ask him? I have a 1996 Evinrude 60hp and my dealer works on them.

Look on their dealer website for wherever you live. A lot of them out there. The ficht motor was not the greatest but I don’t see many of those around. That’s what gave them a tough reputation.

I am not an etec fan at all but if the price is right I would still consider it I believe anything over 125 hp is where they had issues. I would need boat to be 12 to 15 grand cheaper than with a 4 stroke for me to touch one. I am running a 2006 Triton with a 225 opti love that motor

I don’t understand the comments on mechanics availability. Maybe in 6 or 7 years but then warranties won’t matter. There are plenty of independent mechanics out there working on anything.

I wouldn’t hesitate. You’ll likely get a great deal. If it’s the boat you want do it.

Friends don’t let friends drive drunk

Friends don’t let friends buy Tracker Boats

And lastly, friends don’t let friends buy E-tecs

Personally, I wouldn’t never purchase an Evinrude. This goes back well before they went out of business. You’re going to see better prices on boats with an Evinrude on the back but realize it’s for a reason. You may get a cheaper package but you’re also gonna eat it on the other end if/when you decide to sell. Depending on the boat, I would say most won’t even look at a boat with a 2-stroke on the back, much less an evinrude. The exception being bass guys….jmho

Smellson wrote:

Personally, I wouldn’t never purchase an Evinrude. This goes back well before they went out of business. You’re going to see better prices on boats with an Evinrude on the back but realize it’s for a reason. You may get a cheaper package but you’re also gonna eat it on the other end if/when you decide to sell. Depending on the boat, I would say most won’t even look at a boat with a 2-stroke on the back, much less an evinrude. The exception being bass guys….jmho

I would vigorously disagree on preFicht motors. I bought my 60 hp in 1996 since many of the Canadian lodges I visited Highly recommended for reliability. I still have that motor and it has always performed great. IMO Ficht killed OMC.

Smellson wrote:

Personally, I wouldn’t never purchase an Evinrude. This goes back well before they went out of business. You’re going to see better prices on boats with an Evinrude on the back but realize it’s for a reason. You may get a cheaper package but you’re also gonna eat it on the other end if/when you decide to sell. Depending on the boat, I would say most won’t even look at a boat with a 2-stroke on the back, much less an evinrude. The exception being bass guys….jmho

I agree, Bass guys just ain’t all there.

FICHT Eve’s…. I am still running my 2001 200hp RAM FICHT and still happy as ever. Almost made the jump to the E-Tec, but glad I never did…