E-Tech vs. 4 stroke

[DaKanati]

OK I know I am probably going to start a huge debate but since I have recently had some major outboard issues, I am planning on repowering hopefully by this summer. Sooo if anybody has some real knowledge of the e-tech or any of the new 4strokes in the 150-175 hp range lets hear it!

[SPARKY101]

Now i do not own a boat of the caliber of say big A$$ motor"wish i did" But i did see a 1/2hr show on the e-tech and suhweeet from 3 year nor service matinence and the feature if lets say you are a long ways from launch and you lose oil pressure or a line is broke anything like this,the motor is said to give you 50 miles of limp the baby girl home and not worry about the trolling motor"limp not haul a$$"but thats a good thing ur not running ur trollin motor.And the weight is dropped by i think 70 lb of same class others...I know that my dad has a 6hp evinrude that has been in the family for a long time and it had sat for i think app.4 years,well new gas and srubed the plug clean that girl fired up second pull..so all this in my opinion but i gotta say im VERY IMPRESSED:cheers: You buy what u can and get what u want and leave ur wallet happy.Tight lines

[saltyseadog]

iv got a 72 and a 73 both 15 horse e rude got them both used and never ever had one prob. got 96 6 horse bought new nothen but salt water not one prob.... but i would for sure go with a four stroke any day now!

[G-Man]

Well I don't have a large outboard in the size you are looking at, but I do have a 115 E-tech that is just coming up on its 3 year anniversary. I have not had any issues to date while operating this motor and have no regrets in buying it. My main reason for selecting the motor was to cut weight as there were going to be many times when I would be pulling my boat as well as having my 9.5" camper loaded on the truck. At the time the motor saved me about 100lbs in weight verses a comparable 4 stroke version and came with a 7 year top to bottom warranty! Fuel economy has been great, hole shot is just incredible and I really like the fine adjustment for the trim. It's self fogging for long term storage, which I have not yet needed and starts in sub-freezing temps just as readily as it does in the summer time. It is probably just a hair louder at idle than a 4 stroke engine, but I can say that most folks believe I'm BSing them when I tell them it's a 2 stroke. 2 gallons of the high-end (xd100) oil has lasted me almost 3 years and I do quite a bit of fishing. I would not hesitate to buy another if I was to upgrade my boat. That being said I've also been in a few boats with various 4-strokes and they function just fine. With the EPA setting tight standards I think all newer major outboards are a safe bet. I can say that the only time I have removed the cowling from my motor is to show off the insides and to perform a trail pull start. Yes, it works as advertised!

[DaKanati]

sounds good, thanks for the reply

[Rich McVey]

This is good info. I have a Johnson 55 2 stroke and I hate it. Its older and Im wanting to get it replaced but didnt want to add the additional weight of a 4 stroke, but wanted to stay away from the 2 strokes just based on personal experience. Mine smokes alot when idling.

I'll give the e-tech a closer look now.

[Bodofish]

In my opinion, it's really hard to go wrong with any of the new outboards. The engineering they put into them is just incredible. Fuel consumption 2 Vrs 4 stroke is now about the same with the direct injection. In the case of E-Tech, they comply with Euro pollution standards (much tougher than ours)and beat many of the 4 strokes. Power to weight ratio is on par and they're both very quiet. Wooldridge has been using the E-Tech with great success with a jet package, many going to Alaska, I've only heard rave reviews from the owners up north on the jet boat forums. My only concern would be a blanket ban on 2 strokes on some bodies of water, take for instance Lake Whatcom in B'ham. My salt fishing buddy Repowered his boat last year and went to a 140 Suzi, that is one sweet motor! No need for a kicker anymore. Toss a coin. =)

[G-Man]

I was up at Lake Whatcom last summer, the ban for 2 stroke engines is the same as they have on Lake Tahoe, CA. No "carbureted" 2-stroke engines allowed, the Evinrude, Merc, Yamaha and other direct injected 2 strokes are acceptable. As Bodofish mentioned most of the new engines are on par with one another, it just comes down to a matter of preference and most importantly, the deal you will be offered.

[G-Man]

Just an FYI - I expect that these type of restrictions will become more and more common where municipalities draw drinking water from lakes that are open to boating. Fair or not, these laws are now in effect. So... keep this in mind when hunting for your new motor.

Summary of Boating Restriction Timelines - Lake Whatcom, WA

January 1, 2006—The operation of all carbureted two-stroke engine powered watercraft is prohibited
on the portion of Lake Whatcom in the City limits, except: Watercraft powered by a two-stroke
engine whose engine is certified and labeled as meeting the 2006 or later model year US EPA emission
standards and two-stroke carbureted engines of 10 horsepower or less.

January 1, 2007—The operation of all carbureted two-stroke engines including 10 horsepower or
less is prohibited on the portion of Lake Whatcom in the City limits.

January 1, 2009—The operation of all carbureted two-stroke engine powered watercraft on Lake
Whatcom is prohibited, except: Watercraft powered by a two-stroke engine that is certified and labeled
as meeting the 2006 or later model year US EPA emissions standards, auxiliary sailboat engines, 10
horsepower or less engines, and all electronic fuel injected two-stroke engines originally purchased
before August 2004.

January 1, 2013—The operation of all carbureted two-stoke auxiliary sailboat engines, all carbureted
two-stroke engines of 10 horsepower or less, and all electronic fuel injected two-stroke engines
originally purchased before August 2004 is prohibited.

City of Bellingham Ordinance 2005-06-045 and Whatcom County Ordinance 2004-02

[Rollin with Rolland]

January 1, 2009—The operation of all carbureted two-stroke engine powered watercraft on Lake
Whatcom is prohibited, except: Watercraft powered by a two-stroke engine that is certified and labeled
as meeting the 2006 or later model year US EPA emissions standards, auxiliary sailboat engines, 10
horsepower or less engines, and all electronic fuel injected two-stroke engines originally purchased
before August 2004.

January 1, 2013—The operation of all carbureted two-stoke auxiliary sailboat engines, all carbureted
two-stroke engines of 10 horsepower or less, and all electronic fuel injected two-stroke engines
originally purchased before August 2004 is prohibited.

City of Bellingham Ordinance 2005-06-045 and Whatcom County Ordinance 2004-02

EXCELLENT info G-man. This should almost be a sticky, or at least some topic with these similar restrictions state wide. I also have a feeling these restrictions will be implemented in other "municipal water reservoirs".

Simply, you CANNOT launch at Bloedel Park with a two stroke. Until 2013, you can launch at the COUNTY access in south bay with a two stroke 10hp or less (unless injected/EPA approved). But you cannot go into city "water" with a two stoke at all.(i.e. approx. from Geneva straight northeast). Looks like it will be pretty slow going for me launching from the south with my 3hp two stoke yamaha for the next five years.....then electric from geneva north...


Sorry off topic. Never hand e-tech. had an 8hp honda. Nice and quiet and fuel efficient. What about a 100-125 four instead of 150/75 two stroke??

[Bodofish]

I guess they've softened up a bit. The last time I was there, several years ago it was no 2 strokes period. Kinda tough on the jetskis but oh well.

[sickbayer]

my next boat will have an outboard yamaha jet drive....sssshhhhh dont tell the wife.

[swedefish4life1]

2 buds with the new 140 Suhukies:compress: Great motor , great on fuel and will troll all day all truths = and gutless performing dogs even on a just under 19ft narrow Glastron
They are lean on performance and do the others swell so you could buy a 140 S for your kicker:colors: :brilsmurf and buy a 350 Yamaha V-8 for your main system motor:cheers: lol / = E-tecs seem to be gaining some ground and they are super clean:chef:

[Gisteppo]

There are more opinions than facts out there in the interwebs on the Etec and 4 stroke motors.

Go out, find yourself two or three motors in the power class that you like, and weigh them against each other based on price, weight, fuel economy, intended use, and boat.

What are you mounting the engine on?

Primarily the breaking point is use. Etec motors use more fuel at idle than a 4 stroke, slightly more fuel at midrange speeds, and slightly less fuel at WOT. Bearing in mind that we don't (or shouldn't) use WFO/WOT for long periods, you kinda leave that fact out, and focus on the slightly higher fuel consumption of the Etec motor over an identical 4 stroke. So, for trolling speeds, a 4 stroke is going to perform better, but most of us have kickers...

On the big cost debate for maintenance, always remember that a lower unit is a lower unit. Water pumps and lower unit lube are annual jobs regardless of the powerhead. A 4 stroke will have valve lash and timing belts to INSPECT, but rarely do they need maintenance. The 2 stroke will use less oil when compared to the 4 stroke because of the replacement of bottom end lubricant. Conversely, the wear and teardown specs on a 4 stroke have a wider tolerance than the Etec, which means the number of hours of use before a major overhaul is shorter for the Etec.

Performance wise, the Etec will always outperform the identical 4 stroke for one reason, and one reason only: WEIGHT. Weight is the single most important factor in boat performance on planing hull boats. The Etec will be 75-150lbs lighter depending on the engine class, which is either a full cooler of ice or up to an additional person in the boat. They produce their HP like a two stroke, however. 4 Strokes have a more linear hp and torque curve, where Etec motors will still have a weaker 1500-3000 rpm curve and a stronger 4000-redline curve. Its just the nature of no valves and needing rpm to produce hp.

If you are bass fishing, in a runabout that needs to go fast, or something like that, the Etec might make more sense. If it is an aluminum fishing specific boat or a fiberglass runabout that needs to run as fuel efficient as possible at cruising speeds, and needs torque for a heavily loaded boat, the 4 stroke might be a better setup.

Then it all boils down to cost....

E

[wolverine]

Having worked for a major boat builder I've seen more head to head tests than I care to count. In the 150 hp range the top dog has been the Yami 4 stroke. Delivers the goods and is cold stone reliable. The Merc Verado is the quietest at all rpm ranges but is way over engineered and has more parts than the rest. Honda is Honda, solid but behind Yami. Suzi is light weight, quiet, great warranty, but their drawback (like Honda, & E-Rude) is a lack of service facilities other than selling dealerships. Honda, Yami, and Suzi have all brought their motor cycle tech to the outboard dance. Supurb engineering and reliability in their powerheads. E-Rudes E-Tech is hot out of the hole and at WOT, but lags the others on other performance values. Since its a 2 stroke its also the lightest wt for its rated Hp out there. Its definitely not a quiet motor. The light wt, high torque design is supurb in PWC's but the jury is still out for boats (IMHO). The last point of consideration is resale value. Yami & Merc is a plus, Honda is neutral, and Suzi & E-Rude are minus. Of course if you keep the boat forever you don't need to worry about resale. In the long run it all comes down what you want to spend your money on and who will service the package.

[DaKanati]

well to everyone out there thanks for the advice. I finally made my decision and went with the e-tech. I should have it all wrapped up in 2-3 weeks. If youre wondering how I came to this conclusion.... all things were factored, 1st the absolute closest marina to my house sells etechs, suzukis, and yamahs. after talking to the guys down there it was obvious that the etech was there number 1 choice. second factor all other marinas I talked to that sold e-techs and other brands preferred the e-techs.3rd, performance... almost every salesman and some techs I talked to said that I would have to move up to a 175 fourstroke to see the same type of performance I was getting out of my current 150 2stroke and equates to even more money. so the question is did I make the right choice?? only time will tell....Ill keep ya posted on the truths and the lies!

[swedefish4life1]

E-Tec a great motor and as far as emissions they run as clean as any outboard and passed all the latest emission standards and in fact on a few test ran cleaner then a few New 4 strokes:cheers:
Other then that motor on your tub now being replaced and good JOB!!!!!
How About A (REAL VHF radio) as well#-o :batman: Big Kingston:colors:
One word out of 20 hailed spoken#-o is even a stretch for Bonics Ya think! LOL
Fish on and grab a stainless prop on that pig!:compress:

[G-Man]

Swede mentioned getting a stainless prop and that's fairly good advice. However, make sure your dealer lets you try out several different props to make sure your getting the appropriate pitch/style for your boat/motor setup. A good dealer should be close with his first guess, but only a test on the water will tell if it is the right one. Remember no break-in required so you can check full RPM range immediately. One thing I know for sure, the first time you gun your new rig from a standstill, it will take a week or so to get the grin off of your face!

[Anonymous]

Personally I'm a firm believer in stock equipment and as such would shy away from a stainless prop on a small boat.
The motor manufactures spend billions of dollars engineering the motors and prop combos. That's a pretty good reason they come with the props they do.
Racing, great!
Gotta be the baddest on the water, great!
Like to spend big money great!
Out in the deep water only, great!
Stainless props are very expensive and if you bonk something your risk of lower unit damage goes out the window and to the moon.
I would much rather buy a new prop than a lower unit.
Also check the warranty, many are voided with use of none stock equipment on the motor. o:)

[swedefish4life1]

Main guy at the prop shop= stainless props do not flex , bite harder and produce far better Performance ratings then stock units which also flex!.
They also reduce performance and will get less MPG then a SS unit with and when you run then the correct pitch and size prop over aluminum for any motor = outboard V-8 and even a model tub if its got enough HP.

SS props will perform better while using less gas due to the bite, less cavation and using salt water which is heavier weight then fresh waters.

We and many dealers and provide almost all the top Bass boats they sport SS props.

Every bud I have even the larger over/sized counter rotation dual props BB V-8 motors are SS why there better, bite better run faster and require less gas then a stock flexing prop.

Like everything you check and look at the gains against the costs.
Every motor I had BB or outboard had stainless props and went as far as 5 blades with jack plates and the performance differnce over stock was amazing in hole shot, top speed and just cruising.
Again Choices make the ones that fit your needs.