Resigning

[38 Angler]

Well guys , it's probably fair to resign from the forum because I sold (after 19 years) my faithful "Suzie" . --- I replaced it with an E-Tec which is just FANTASTIC (so-far) .--- Having owned (during the last ~ 60 years) 4 Evinrudes , 1 Johnson , 1 Chrysler and 1 Suzuki I went back to Evinrude . Each one of these motors was good (to me) but I kept the Suzuki the longest . --- Now-a-days most outboards are excellent ; choosing the "right-one" is , more or less , a "personal-matter" . --- Enjoy what-ever your choice is . --- See you on the water !

[Moonlighter]

Cheers! Enjoy the time you have on the water!

[Solarman]

I'd like to hear a little more about your new etec?
Size, package you bought, price if you don't mind? Did you buy boat and motor? I'm seriously interested. I've heard a lot of good things about them. And as my twin motors are getting old, I've thought about the etec''s as well (I'm not too fond of the 4 strokes, too many moving parts).
And would like to hear back, when you get it on the water of how it does for you.
Thanks, I'll be around here, just post back if you don't mind. Ralph

[38 Angler]

I'd like to hear a little more about your new etec?
Size, package you bought, price if you don't mind? Did you buy boat and motor? I'm seriously interested. I've heard a lot of good things about them. And as my twin motors are getting old, I've thought about the etec''s as well (I'm not too fond of the 4 strokes, too many moving parts).
And would like to hear back, when you get it on the water of how it does for you.
Thanks, I'll be around here, just post back if you don't mind. Ralph

*** --- ***On account of my age (78) my "water-ski-days" are over ; sooo , I don't need ski-boats and big motors anymore . However , I'd kept my tin-can (14' POLARKRAFT with 15 HP Suzuki (DT 15C) for fishing and general "bumming-around". My POLARKRAFT is 23" deep BUT the transom WAS only 15" . I had to be careful about waves "catching me" from behind . --- Lake Ontario get's pretty rough at times . --- I constructed a ~ 22" high transom (2.25" thick) and bolted it behind the original-one . Now I needed a long-shaft-motor . The E-Tec seemed to be the most "logical" choice . This sophisticated design beats any 4-cycle power-wise , uses very little oil , sips a minimal amount of fuel and runs smooth and silent . --- 190+ fewer parts than a 4-cycle . --- I purchased a 25 HP E-Tec . Normally they sell for ~ $5000 ; I traded my 19 year old DT 15C and paid $3955 on top (tax included) . --- The dealer was pleasantly surprised regarding the clean condition of my trade-in . --- Having been an automotive mechanic (Gas + Diesel) I took care of my "toys" . --- Yesterday , the "maiden-run" convinced me that my choice was a good-one . --- 2 people (400 lbs.) , 2 full tanks , anchor , fishing-gear etc. (+ boat and motor) ~ total-weight ~ 850 lbs. . GPS-recorded top-speed 41 kms/hr . Had I been alone in the boat I'd probably have hit 50 kms/hr . --- Yeah , Evinrude advises that no break-in is needed ; WOT is even encouraged . --- We trolled for ~5.5 hrs. as well . --- Gas- and oil-consumption was negligible . --- So-far I am impressed . Hopefully reliability is "up-to snuff" as well . --- I forgot to mention that the dealer threw in 3 gallons of XD50 (semi-synthetic) and a full tank of gas . --- That's another ~$175 . --- I'm not complaining !

[Solarman]

Am glad you're happy, sounds like you should post a few pics of fish caught, on the site when able.

I'm looking at pricing for the 150 - 225 hp size motors for my sea cat (26' cat), we use for off-shore fishing (50 miles out to gulf stream, plus trolling all day, then 50+ miles back in), most of our fishing trips have been good, but with age/ hours of use, I'm going to need to repower soon. I've never been a fan of the four strokes, with an extra 200+ moving parts, the extra weight, and running saltwater through for cooling... a recipe for some high dollar repairs. I like to keep it simple, so the 2 strokes seem to still have the most efficient track record. And, I like the etec simply for the "no service for three years", and "no break-in period".

To me, that means more trips out, and equates to more fish in the freezers.

Keep us posted on how you're doing, and show us some fish occasionally. Good luck, happy boating.

[hogfan]

Am glad you're happy, sounds like you should post a few pics of fish caught, on the site when able.

I'm looking at pricing for the 150 - 225 hp size motors for my sea cat (26' cat), we use for off-shore fishing (50 miles out to gulf stream, plus trolling all day, then 50+ miles back in), most of our fishing trips have been good, but with age/ hours of use, I'm going to need to repower soon. I've never been a fan of the four strokes, with an extra 200+ moving parts, the extra weight, and running saltwater through for cooling... a recipe for some high dollar repairs. I like to keep it simple, so the 2 strokes seem to still have the most efficient track record. And, I like the etec simply for the "no service for three years", and "no break-in period"

I'm a little curious about the saltwater cooling comment, aren't the Etec's cooled the same way? I have a buddy in Alaska, who says the vast majority of motors in his area are Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha 4 strokes, and he says he can count dozens in his area with 1000+ hours. I have nothing against the Etec (other than I don't want the oil tank in the boat), but modern 4 strokes are pretty dependable.

[Solarman]

Yes, all are cooled with saltwater. The difference comes from all the additional moving parts, and small cooling pas-sages, oil cooling system, and the many additional features related to 4 strokes. Many of those require cooling as well.

I might feel better, if they used an antifreeze cooling system for the entire powerhead, with a heat-exchanger in the midsection cooled by saltwater.

My two motors Suzuki 2 stroke, 140's are 1999, and do have some saltwater corrosion areas, but 17 years and a few problems, most due to purchasing used. Also, I have one 140 from '94, and it's still running.

So I am pleased with the 2 strokes, and will probably lean towards etec in the near future, unless Suzuki still has 2 strokes?

Good luck.

[Moonlighter]

Ralph, the etecs are not simple 2 strokes like those old Suzukis of yours! Direct fuel injection and the EPA changed all that......

Google "replacing etec fuel injector" or similar and see what you find. From people I know who own them, that is not exactly an uncommon thing to have to do. Not a cheap or easy exercise. Each injector has to be indexed to the motor and cylinder it is fitted to.

And read the fine print on that 3 year no servicing claim. Again, none of my friends (all saltwater anglers) who own them actually do that, they all do annual 100hr services much the same as we do. And check the price of the XD100 oil you must run to even contemplate that. What does a etec spark plug cost??

Out here, good luck if you want to trade your etec for a new motor. Most non-etec dealers wont touch them. Too many problems, too much trouble, is what they say. I have two good friends, one is a big Yamaha dealer and the other, naturally, a Suzuki dealer who regularly wins the national spe******t dealer of the year award. Neither will touch the etecs as trades.

The old 4 strokes being heavy argument also largely went out the door with the 2nd generation of 4 strokes released by most manufacturers. Depending on model there is now often very little in it, especially when you add in weight of oil containers so you are actually comparing total operating weights.

Ive owned 2 stroke Yamahas and Evinrudes in the past, and my previous boat was originally bought new with a 70 Yammy 2 stroke that was a great motor. Upgraded it to a Tohatsu direct injected 2 stroke, a TLDI90. While they use a different approach to the DFI to etec, the results are much the same. It was also a great motor, never missed a beat in the 5 years I had it, but filters and belts had to be changed quite regularly and those platinum spark plugs were upwards of $25 each! Yikes! They do not seem to have the reliability issues out here that the etecs have.

So like everything boating, there are plusses and minuses no matter which way you go, 4 stroke or DFI 2 stroke.

And like anything in this space, i rarely if ever buy a 1st generation of anything, i prefer to wiat for gen 2 or gen 3, when all the problems have had a chance to surface and be ironed out. The Suzukis are well and truly into 2nd or 3rd generation across the range and especially in the hp that you are looking at.the 150-200hp in-line 4 cyl Suzukis have quickly established a great reputation and their light weight compared to V6's offered by other manufacturers in that hp range looks good too.

Just food for thought!

[Harper]

Just food for thought!

You speak well, Kemo Sabe!!

[38 Angler]

Resigning

Referring to Moonlighter's remarks about the E-TEC . --- I'll admit to being a bit "apprehensive" myself (regarding reliability of the electronics) BUT the people I've consulted seemed to be satisfied and even enthusiastic about the E-TECs . --- Outboard-mechanics told me that these motors DEFINITELY don't present any more problems than any other motor . They have been around for 12 or 15 years already and have proven them-selves to be GOOD . --- While I don't know how the "aussie-models" are set-up our canadian version is factory-adjusted for XD50 (semi-synthetic) . If it is desired to run XD100 (synthetic) exclusively, the engine can be set-up accordingly . --- There is no real advantage to using XD100 in a "normally-set-up" engine unless it is operated under arctic conditions . --- E-TEC-owners I conferred with never had to exchange plugs either . One guy told me that within 9 years of ownership the motor has never let him down . --- There are no valves or belts to adjust , no oil-changes etc. --- *** --- I've always owned 2-stroke outboards and prefer them to the "4-bangers" . --- The E-TECs happen to be the natural evolution of the 2-stroke-system and I am reasonably confident that I won't be disappointed .