E-tec outboards?

billfisher · #1 04-15-2005, 10:32 AM

Does anyone have any hands on information on the new Evinrude E-Tec outboards? It's time to hang a new motor on my 76 Sceptre, which will be completed soon and I'm shopping for a new 250hp 2 Stroke only. E-tec, yamaha, or Merc??? Which way do I go??? Which way do I go??? [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

FELLOW-SHIP · #2 04-15-2005, 10:56 AM

I don’t have any hands on experience. But it seems that they are REALLY TRYING to bring back the troops with the warranty, efficiency, and the amount of time between general service work needed to be done. I think they are on the right track and I haven’t heard of any problems on the new one. I have a 225 EFI Yamaha and love it as for the hdpi’s they also seem to be great motors as well. It would be a hard decision to make today will all the choices you have, when I needed to make my decision the playing field was not nearly as good.
FellowShip [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

salvagefirst · #3 04-15-2005, 11:53 AM

Im like you, i want to repower but with what. E-tecs 15 grand unrigged, Verados way too heavy, Bayracer marine said weight wise a suzuki would be fine, but i think he wants to sell a motor.(I dont want to buy a motor and a bracket at the same time.) Eds marine has a new 250 hpdi 30 inch shaft for 10900 thats hard to beat.

peterb · #4 04-15-2005, 03:11 PM

I agree that a low priced Yamaha is very hard to beat.

I am starting to see a lot of data out there that suggests that some of the new 2 strokes are approaching the 4 strokes in terms of fuel efficency and the like.

FELLOW-SHIP · #5 04-15-2005, 03:11 PM

HA Salvagefirst
If I was going to buy today I would not hesitate on the 250 hdpi 30” IF you have a 30” transom. My boat has a 30” transom and that extra 5” really helps. I have the EFI and it is lighter that the hdpi’s BUT 30” got to give you at least 3” higher water line that the 25” with a lighter motors on the transom.
FellowShip [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

salvagefirst · #6 04-15-2005, 07:01 PM

I finished the stringers,plan on doing the transom this week.Still undesided, 25 inches, run my old 200 another year or go 30 and repower,or third option, close the transom add a bracket run the old 200 one more year. Im hoping the e-tecs prices will drop alittle after the newness wears off.I am really leaning toward the 225 or 250 E-tec, Les

SECF3114M73J · #7 04-16-2005, 08:06 AM

A freind of mine tested the Etecs for Bom. last season. He had twin 250's on a 28 ft. Hydra Sport.He liked them better than the Fichts he had previous. He said they were quieter, used a little less gas and less oil. He put 600 hours on them with no problems, never even changed the spark plugs.

Boatdood · #8 04-17-2005, 10:05 PM

My take on the 250HP arena.

Verados are heavy and fuel hungry, but they are one sweet package. Great power, user friendly, and quiet as they come.

Mercury's Optimax has weathered the storm of new technology mistakes and come out swinging. Pretty good stuff with great fuel economy, yes even exceeding most four strokes, if still a bit oil hungry and weak on the bottom end.

Yamaha's 250 Four Stroke is apparently a good contender from early reviews, but danged near impossible to get. And still a bit on the heavy side.

Yamaha's 250 HPDI is still causing problems, as is the 300. Maybe they will get it figured out. I hope so.

Suzuki's 250 four stroke is a fine piece of machinery. A bit heavy and complex, but still fine.

Johnson's four strokes are white Suzukis. Maybe better warranty and parts/service distribution.

Which brings us to Evinrude. Great fuel economy, exceeding most if not all four strokes. Very stingy on oil as well. Simple design. Relatively light weight. Great power across the board. Very quiet for a two stroke, and acceptable sound level even from a four stroke standard. Comparable price when compared with other cutting edge technology. Downside? Yes, there is a downside. These engines still suffer from the stigma of Ficht. Fair or not, that stigma may well keep the value of these fine engines in the gutter for a still to be determined time frame. And, these engines suffer from the perception of the general public that two strokes are bad and will be illegal in the next few years. Although that is not at all true, the majority of the outboard buying public today believes that it is true. Therefore, perception may kill a perfectly fine piece of engineering. It wouldn't be the first time it's happened.

elpez · #9 04-18-2005, 10:42 AM

Went with the 200 e-tec on the repower of a 21 cc, could'nt be hapier, it's only been 6 hours of use but VERY powerfull and quiet.

billfisher · #10 04-19-2005, 11:09 AM

Thanks for all the great information guy's, It's a tough decision to try to make and you really don't know if you can believe all the sales garbage that's out there? I may have to give the 250 e-tec a go!!! I will keep ya's posted on my decision and it's performance!