E-Tech Opinions

Looking at a new Ranger 1760 angler with a 115 e-tech. I currently have a f115 Yamaha on my Mr. Pike. What do you guy’s think of the e-tech compared to the yam 4 stroke?

Thanks

I will tell you I have a 225 etec and love it. I was in Canada last weekend and the guide boats have 60hp Yamaha 4 strokes on them. They are 18 foot Alaska’s, three guys and gear. Terrible hole shot and not that fast. Seemed to bog more than a 2-stroke. I do know the etec will be lighter and has more torque. All is my opinion. I would go with the etec.

I agree with you Tim, the only downfall to an etec is the oil you go through in a year, were a four stroke all you need to do is change the oil once a year.

I do not have an etec but am looking to switch to either an etec or a 4 stroke. In talking with a dealer I was told that etec is the only thing keeping Evinrude from going under and etec sales haven’t been all that great. I still haven’t made a decision but am leaning towards a 4 stroke Mercury as I know they’ll be around for many years to come. The 4 stroke powered boats I have rode in all seemed to have pretty good hole shot. It might end up taking me another second or two to get the boat up on plane but I’m not usually in that big of a hurry where 2 or 3 seconds is going to make a difference.

Eyehunter

Eyehunter

Yes Andy you are right. But the maintenance on a 4 stroke over three years will out way the cost of oil. Plus the etec does not use nearly as much as the older DFI’s. Fuel efficentcy is also better.

Until you drive an ETEC for a year you won’t know what you are missing. My oil consumption for a year is about 1/4 of what it was before I had an ETEC. They use a lot during break in and then nothing. I have went through a gallon and a half so far this entire year in 2 tournaments. I have been very impressed with my ETECs

“But the maintenance on a 4 stroke over three years will out way the cost of oil.”

what maintenance is there on a 4 stroke?

Thanks

An oil change on a 4 stroke will run you around $85 and lower unit gear oil replace $25 per year. That would be around $330 for 3 years. A etec will need no maintenance for the first 3 years.

The power of the etec is like no other. The hole shot and accelleration will inpress you. I know that my etec being a 225HO is super smooth and extremely quiet.

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An oil change on a 4 stroke will run you around $85 and lower unit gear oil replace $25 per year. That would be around $330 for 3 years. A etec will need no maintenance for the first 3 years.

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Are you saying an ETech does not require you to change the lower unit oil?

All regular scheduled maintenance is every 3 years! That means lower units also.

Just put oil and gas in and go! I had a 250 Evinrude DFI before this etec and the etec uses 1/2 the oil the DFI used. A little better fuel economy also.

Very interesting.

I have a 75-e-tec and love it Great hole shot and runs very quiet. Have been really happy with it. Jim

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Until you drive an ETEC for a year you won’t know what you are missing. My oil consumption for a year is about 1/4 of what it was before I had an ETEC. They use a lot during break in and then nothing. I have went through a gallon and a half so far this entire year in 2 tournaments. I have been very impressed with my ETECs

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Scott,

I have always been told that they don’t have a break in period. Can you clarify please.

FDR

Etec’s do and do not have a breaking period. You justed do not have to add double the oil and very your speed. The computer takes care of all the break-in itself by verying the oil intake and range of rpms threw the first 10 hours.

I’m listening guy’s. You almost have me but lets keep going.

Backlash. The weight difference, maintenance, and torque should be more than enough! You cannot go wrong. There is nothing wrong with a 4 stroke, just better option with an etec!

What is the difference in a 225HO and a plain 225? Does the amount of torque change?

An HO has a more stream line lower unit and the hp is more than 225. The hp can be 10% higher than the rated hp and that is what an HO is. You could actually have 248 hp at the prop rather than 225. Also, the regular 225 have a Magnum gear case. It is bigger and you may loow 1-2 mph.

I will let you guys have your fun.
I will never go back. Yamaha 4 strokes are bullet proof, and no one can deny that. The smooth power, and rock solid power band is enough for me.
Wait until you guys start replacing all those spark plugs in the ETECs. They eat them like candy. Not a four stroke though. If you guys want to beat your chests about no maintenance for 3 years…forget it. I have been down that road. No motor can go 3 years without maintenance. Yes, they are lighter, and may win a torque fight. But a smooth power band and quiet running gets my vote now. Both are good motors. But neither are maintenance free.

Was on Mille Lacs the other day, I’d say I saw almost 100 boats with Yammi and 1 e-tech, I’m not brand loyal, but something tells me Yamaha is doing something right.

My son Nate has run a 90hp Etec on both a console boat and on a tiller boat and has loved them. Very smooth and powerfull motors. This year he has choosen to demo a 16.6ft Alumacraft tiller boat with a 60hp Etec motor to show how smooth and effecient the mid range Etec motors and midsize Alumacraft boats are. I have no idea what size boat or motor he will chose next year but I do know it will be an Etec motor.
Thanks, Bill

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I will let you guys have your fun.
I will never go back. Yamaha 4 strokes are bullet proof, and no one can deny that. The smooth power, and rock solid power band is enough for me.
Wait until you guys start replacing all those spark plugs in the ETECs. They eat them like candy. Not a four stroke though. If you guys want to beat your chests about no maintenance for 3 years…forget it. I have been down that road. No motor can go 3 years without maintenance. Yes, they are lighter, and may win a torque fight. But a smooth power band and quiet running gets my vote now. Both are good motors. But neither are maintenance free.

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Right on

Yamaha, proven dependability.

E-Tec, proven stupid infomercials

I was wondering if the E-tec “no maintenance” excluded the multiple trips to your dealer to get the software upgrades?

Let’s keep this thread on track. If you own or have recently owned an Etec please share your opinions. None of that “I know this guy who has a brother…” stuff, please.

If you’ve never owned an Etec… best to sit this one out and read so we keep this one useful and on track.

I have the 75 E-Tec and love it. It has a great hole shot and is very quite…..not 4 stroke quite but close. My buddy has a 90 Yamaha and it is very very quite…

Fuel and oil consumption is very good.
I’ve logged 81 hrs on my boat this year and used.
51.22 gallons of gas..(.63 gallons and hr) I’d say 3/4 of these hours are trolling. And I’ve used about 1/2 gallon of oil.
This is about 1/2 of what I used with my 75 Mariner

When it comes to the maintenance free I would not suggest anybody go 3 years without changing the lower unit oil…to easy to change by yourself for peace of mind…..
Both motors are excellent choices and you have a hard choice…I went with the 2 stroke and a little better hole shot…. MY .02 Whatsa

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My son Nate has run a 90hp Etec on both a console boat and on a tiller boat and has loved them. Very smooth and powerfull motors. This year he has choosen to demo a 16.6ft Alumacraft tiller boat with a 60hp Etec motor to show how smooth and effecient the mid range Etec motors and midsize Alumacraft boats are. I have no idea what size boat or motor he will chose next year but I do know it will be an Etec motor.
Thanks, Bill

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Bill,

What other choices does Nate have? Did his dealer pick up a new motor line?

Choices at Smittys are Etec, Evinrude Direct Injection, and Johnson [new non currents]. Nate has been sponsored by Evinrude the past few years but his choice of motor [from Evinrude] has been the Etec over the Direct Injection motors. Hes been very impressed with them.
Thanks, Bill

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Choices at Smittys are Etec, Evinrude Direct Injection, and Johnson [new non currents]. Nate has been sponsored by Evinrude the past few years but his choice of motor [from Evinrude] has been the Etec over the Direct Injection motors. Hes been very impressed with them.
Thanks, Bill

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Bill,

I’m confused. But that’s not unusual. I just visited the BRF website and the only motor offered by BRF is the Etec. What other DFI motor are they offering?

Presently Evinrude only offers the Etec. For awhile they offered both the Evinrude Etec and the Evinrude Direct Injection motors. Nate use to run the Direct Injection motor but after trying the Etec he stuck with that model. He really likes the features those motors have.
Thanks, Bill

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Presently Evinrude only offers the Etec. For awhile they offered both the Evinrude Etec and the Evinrude Direct Injection motors. Nate use to run the Direct Injection motor but after trying the Etec he stuck with that model. He really likes the features those motors have.

Thanks, Bill

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I thought it have been a couple years since BRF has offered anything except the Etec.

So has Nate had good luck with his etecs since he blew up his 90 HP?