Evinrude/Johnson Ficht Questions

I am considering a 90h.p. Evinrude Ficht to replace my aging Johnson outboard. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with this type of motor. The sale folks say they will idle down and troll slow as well as a 4 stroke, and that the performance is excellant at all ranges of rpm. I have not had a chance to try one on the water, but would love to hear of any experiences from people I trust… here on FTR!
Thanks,
Rooster

I have a 90hp Johnson 2001 model and except for the cold bloodedness in the mornings I love the motor. Nate has a 2002 150hp Ficht and loves it. The 1998 and 1999 Fichts had problems [put on the market before the bugs were worked out]. If you buy one get a model no older than the 2001 and even better yet get a 2002 model as they seem to be a great motor. A great company bought them and made alot of good changes and they are known for putting out top quality products. Bill

Thanks Bill! The one I am looking at is a 2001, new in the crate. I can get it for $5900, w/2 year warranty and trim and tilt. Seems like a really good price. Is your 90 a Ficht? If so, can you run slow enough to troll lead or 3ways with it? I do not have a good set up for kicker motor, so am wanting a primary outboard I can troll with. I was thinking 4 stroke until recently. Thanks again!

Rooster

Rooster

The newer Fichts have proven themselves to be very solid performers… and the reliability issues that plagued them prior to 2000 seem to be behind them. About the trolling issue though…. Steve Hougom had the 90 HP FiCHT on a 1750 Fish hawk back in 1999 (it blew up!) and it trolled REALLY fast at idle. I think it was like 2.5 or 2.7 mph or something like that. Anyway, really fast. Steve used to backtroll with buckets off the bow to slow her down trolling into current.

The motor sounds like a heck of a deal but I’m thinking you might be a little dissapointed with that motor in trolling applications unless they’ve done something to slow the idle speed down considerably since that 1999 model year.

Just my feebles memories and recollections on that motor….

It may work for trolling. I have a Yamaha 150 carb and it on a Crestliner Sportfish 1850. I don’t spend alot of time trolling so I have not invested in a kicker. But when I have, it trolls (at idle) 1.5~1.7mph.

If I were you, I’d go to a busy body of water this weekend, and find someone with the set-up you are looking for.

Sounds like one heck of a deal.

Well… it may work for pulling plugs in the summer, I’ll certainly give you that. I guess I should have qualified what I consider “able to troll.”

Personally, when I’m in forward gear, if I don’t stop ALL forward momentum going into a mid-velocity current… I don’t have the speed control I’ve come to rely on to catch fish. Most of the fish I catch on livebait on 3-ways come at speeds around 0.5 mph. Sllloooooow. Guys that “bust” by me at 1.0 mph rarely sniff a fish let along catch one. Cranks are another deal altogether and most of the time that 1.7 – 2.5 mph range gets the job done… so that motor should work most of the time, for pulling plugs anyway.

But then there’s all those livebait applications and for that a guy just can’t work, wiggle or worm his or her way around a small kicker motor purchase if they’re really gearing up to consistently catch fish.

But the motor does sound like a dead steal at that price and the kinks seem to be worked out of the FICHT motors now.

Thanks guys for all the input. I have another big wrench thrown in the works. Local Yammi dealer can set me up with an 80H.P. 4 stroke for about 7000, installed. I know from all of them I see on the river that they are a fine motor, and probably better suited for trolling cranks. Also a little better economy I believe. Guess I’ll have to scratch my head some more now!
Maybe a whole new rig would be a better fix, but I don’t believe the boss will go for that right now!
Thanks again,
Rooster

James, are you talking about .5mph speed over ground moving upriver?

Thanks for the info,
Paul

One more idea. Try inquiring at http://www.boatsetup.com they have discussion groups by mfg. Some pretty knowledgeable motor heads run each group.

Good luck!

Yessir. SOG. Typically I just watch the shoreline as I crawl upstream. Just fast enough to keep from going backwards works most of the time… but you have to know where the fish are at ‘cuz that approach won’t “find” many fish… but once you know where they’re at, it’s a heck of a way to catch them!

My motor is the reg. 2-stroke motor. Give Ken Smith at Smittys Marine in Lake City, Mn. 1-651-345-3990 and see what kind of deal he will give you. To be able to really troll down you need a kicker motor. You should be able to find a used 6 or 8 hp. for under a thousand. Don’t go under a 6hp though as not enough power. I have a 6hp on my 2001 Lund Mr. Pike [boat alone weights 1070 lb.] and it works great.