Anyone care to comment on these new motors? Evinrude is pumping them up like they’re the greatest thing on the water. Is it really possible for a two-stroke to outperform a four-stroke in so many key areas?
From all the testing I’ve read on and the reports coming from motors out there, ya I believe and don’t doubt it one bit.
I have the 75 e-tec on a pro angler 1700. I am very happy with it. Starts great,runs very quiet, and a great hole shot. I can go between 30 – 32 mph on the gps. Depending on up river or down river. When its real real cold you have to go thru the winterizeing proceedure. takes about 2 minn. to do. I am very happy with it. 
You ever see me on the river stop and say Hi. 
Its a gray pro angler. Thanks Jim
A good source of information is at http://bbcboards.zeroforum.com/
Go to the Evinrude forum and post your question.
The fitch, opti, hpdi systems changed the way 2 strokes were oiled and vastly reduced oil and fuel consumption. This also greatly decreased emissions. The Etech is a further refinement.
Fourstrokes have high nox emissions and catalytic converters are used to redue nox. Fourstroke outboards do not have converters and suffer from high nox emissions. Etechs are the cleanest of the twostrokes and have lower emissions than the fourstrokes.
I think the cost of twostroke oil will cost about the same as a fourstroke oil change for a season. So those costs are equivalent. I have heard the 20 hour fourstroke service with oil change runs around $220. The etech does not require service for 3 years…gas and oil are it. The etch will also winterize itself with a process using the ignition switch.
I will be interested to see how they hold up before invest in one.
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I will be interested to see how they hold up before invest in one.
Ya think… 
These are the same talking points we heard when the Ficht engine debacle put OMC into bankruptcy.
So the FICHT engine is what bankrupt OMC? I don’t think so.
Well I bit on one. Getting my boat back tonight with a new E-TEC on it. I sure hope they hold up to the hype they have recieved. They say that they require less maintenence than the four strokes. I find that claim a little hard to swallow. One of my friends that fishes a lot has a 90hp honda 4 stroke that he claims he has not done anything to for 5 years. That would be a tough act to follow. 
I will again put my E-TEC where my mouth is. Mine is available for test drives at most IDA events, or if you see me on the River. I have had excellent luck with mine!
Tuck
I suspect the bankrupcy had more to do with OMC’s inability to market its product, albeit there were problems with the initial FICHT engines. This new E-Tec sounds to good to be true, but to have a motor with less emissions, less maintenance, far less moving parts, proven, not new computer technology and better performance says a lot. I know the Honda’s are great, but can’t say the same for Merc or Yamaha, especially on the service end (expensive $$$$$).
Anyway, I had better quit now because if I keep this up I will run out and buy a new E-Tec.
If you went to the boat show, you got to see all the motors made and offered here in the States. Not saying anything about the preformance of the motors, but just look at the physical size of the motors! The 75 Merc Opti is the size roughly of a 115 Yamaha 4 stroke! The 4 stoke Honda in 75 HP is a moose! Yes, reliable, dependable, but HUGE! My E-TEC is amazingly small in stature versus motors in the same HP range. It is a dream on the arms if you are a tiller guy. I challenge anyone to find a faster motor out of the hole. Gas mileage and oil consumption rates will have you tapping the gagues to see if they are working. Someone said “Time will tell”. Yep, they said that about the Shad Rap too. Comparing the E-TEC to the Ficht technology is like saying Chevrolet sucks because they made the Vega! And Ford with the Pinto! Evolution has changed things for the better. You can watch from the sidelines, and make assumtions on what you have been told from others who are “In the Know”, or you can jump in my boat and see for yourself. For technical questions, feel free to contact Destry or Nick at LaCannes Marine in Fairbault. These guys have long been supporters of IDA and will give you the straight scoop and a great deal.
Tuck
The guy that sold me my ’75 cherry Pinto said it’s a classic. Did he mean classic something else?
I am curious; what does your response have to do with the Evinrude E-TEC Outboard.
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If you went to the boat show, you got to see all the motors made and offered here in the States. Not saying anything about the preformance of the motors, but just look at the physical size of the motors! The 75 Merc Opti is the size roughly of a 115 Yamaha 4 stroke! The 4 stoke Honda in 75 HP is a moose! Yes, reliable, dependable, but HUGE! My E-TEC is amazingly small in stature versus motors in the same HP range. It is a dream on the arms if you are a tiller guy. I challenge anyone to find a faster motor out of the hole. Gas mileage and oil consumption rates will have you tapping the gagues to see if they are working. Someone said “Time will tell”. Yep, they said that about the Shad Rap too. Comparing the E-TEC to the Ficht technology is like saying Chevrolet sucks because they made the Vega! And Ford with the Pinto! Evolution has changed things for the better. You can watch from the sidelines, and make assumtions on what you have been told from others who are “In the Know”, or you can jump in my boat and see for yourself. For technical questions, feel free to contact Destry or Nick at LaCannes Marine in Fairbault. These guys have long been supporters of IDA and will give you the straight scoop and a great deal.
Tuck
Another contact would be Ken Smith owner of Smittys Marine in Lake City, Mn. the # One E-tec sales dealer in the country in 2004 with any questions. Theres gotta be good reasons why E-tecs are out selling other motors. And just for the record I don’t own or use an E-tec motor. But I do like what I see and hear about them.
Thanks, Bill
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So the FICHT engine is what bankrupt OMC? I don’t think so.
It certainly put the final nail in the coffen….
Then again what do I know my family has only been selling OMC, Johnson, Evinrude outboards since 1956… 
Where is this Crystal ball that tells us the future reliabilty of these E-tecs……
I picked up my boat last night with the new 40hp E-TEC on it. 
It sure looks a lot bigger than the Merc 25hp I had on it.
The prop looks huge. I will have to wait to see how it runs as I have to work this weekend.
Where is this Crystal ball that tells us the future reliabilty of these E-tecs……
If this was a motor bashing site, I could say Mercury was using it for their Opti’s! But seriously, you could say that about any motor, right? If your family has been selling Johnson and Evinrude for that many years, they must be doing something right, wouldn’t you agree? Evinrude is backing it up with an awesome warranty. They ARE putting their money where their mouth is. In fairness, I believe all motor manufacturers have pretty good warranties.
As far as comparing the 25 Merc to a 40 E-TEC, what were you expecting? One thing you will notice with your new motor is how beefy the lower units are compared to other engines of the same HP. I believe the 40 also has the oil tank under the cowling, giving you another storage compartment in the back of your boat like a 4 stroke. Assuming of course that your 25 was oil injected. You will really enjoy the motor, I am sure!
Tuck
A strange response from a guy and his family who have been selling Evinrude’s and Jognson’s. I am surprised you are not a bit more positive about this motor. Please tell me where you dealership is so I can avoid shopping there when I buy me new E-TEC. Appreciate it.
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Anyone care to comment on these new motors? Evinrude is pumping them up like they’re the greatest thing on the water. Is it really possible for a two-stroke to outperform a four-stroke in so many key areas?
The Evinrude brochures are a bit selective in what they compare so I went to the published specifications and perfomance bulletins to draw my own conclusions. In the area of physical weight, size, and low rpm fuel economy the E-tec stands out from 4 strokes of the same HP. You get the benefits of a 4-stroke with the lower weight and simplicity of a 2-stroke.
In the area of performance, I have yet to see an objective comparison. Fuel economy at cruising speeds, and speed at WOT is comparable from what I can gather from the performance bulletins. Not sure how the torque curves compare because nobody has published a side by side comparison that I have been able to find. From my standpoint, my 90HP Suzuki is excellent on hole shot despite it’s handicap on physical weight.
I do think that the “no scheduled dealer maintence” claim is hype. I trailered my new Suzuki home on Sept 29th last year and ran it through Nov 20th before putting it up for the winter. I changed my oil and filter for around $30 for my 20 hour break in which is a far cry from the “several hundred dollars” claimed for 4-strokes on the e-tec website. My oil is good for another 100 hours which should translate into a lot of fishing time on the water. I fired her up again on March 15th this spring and it started instantly even with the fogging oil that I sprayed into the cylinders. I have run this motor in 38 deg water temps dodging ice burgs on the Menominee river and my motor starts instantly and runs flawlessly every time. My motor has not seen the dealership since it left the lot and I dont see any reason to bring her back any time soon.
JD power awarded Suzuki and Honda the customer satisfaction award for 2005 in the 4-stroke segment, and Yamaha in the direct injection 2 stroke category. Not sure how the Etec shook out in the DI category.
Why do you think that the “No scheduled maintenance for three years” is “Hype?” That is their claim, and their warranty backs that up. Does Suzuki (Or any manufacturer on JD Power’s list?) offer the same claim? Contact Suzuki and ask them to supply the power curve data you want, and see if you get it.
Suzuki’s make great motors. No doubt. I have owned three of them, and the only issue I ever had was a cracked water jacket. Great motors. But why slam Evinrude and the E-TEC technology and their claims if you have no first hand knowledge of the motor? It would be one thing if you said you owned one, and had nothing but problems. But to say it is nothing but hype just because you think so is unfair in my opinion.
Tuck
I did not slam the technology, in fact I pointed out the things that I see that set the Etec apart. The no dealer maintence is hype because it is based primarily on oil changes in comparison to a 4-stoke outboard.
Also no valve adjustments as in Yamaha 4 strokes after so many hours. I disagree with the hype comment. Nuff said.
Looking at the big picture, BRP came late to the game with 4 stroke, and DFI already entrenched in the competing camps. They contracted Suzuki for the Johnson 4 strokes. Great move! They developed technology to replace the Ficht technology of the past. Even better move. They are marketing the dickens out of a new motor technology because they are in a highly competetive market. They have made a claim about maintenance, and warranties, and are sticking by it. I applaude them, and put my money where my mouth is. Darn glad I did to be honest with ya! Not saying you will not have just as much luck with your Suzuki.
Tuck
Tuck,
check out my new post. Per the Milwaukee Paper Evinrude will not sell to Crestliner, Lund and Lowe beginning 6-30. This one bothers me because I wanted a new Crestliner with an E-TEC engine.
Why wouldn’t you be able to buy each one separately?
O.M.F.T.-That sounds like a very nice rig you have there. Last year I bought the 16 Pro Angler. I was trying to decide between the 75 Etec and a 70 Suzuki EFI 4 stroke. I ended up choosing the Suzuki because E tec was soooooo new and the tiller handle was questionable at the time. I’m curious, how do you like the tiller handle? Also, a big point that I wanted to know that I never did get an answer to is-How slow can you troll? I’ve been a bit disappointed in the trolling speed of my Susuki-2.5 mph/gps. Tuck, If I remember right you had posted something about doing something to your 90(?) Etec to slow things down. What did you do and did it work?Good fishn to ya!
I have the 75, and they tuned it down with a laptop at LaCannes in Fairbault. I can get down to 1.5 MPH forward, and 1 MPH backtrolling. No wind either way. I did this on Mille Lacs last fall.
WOW!! And thats from a main motor too. Did it effect top end or hole shot much?
Thanks, Bill
Not one bit. There has been a number of people through it. James even commented how quick out of the hole it is.
I wish the E-tech success, but its to early to tell. If they stand up it will be great.
As far as OMC the Ficht didn’t put them under, it was management. They went from having the best quality rating to the worst.
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