I'm going to get a 258DLV, and one dealer is pushing the E-Tec? ..or 4-stroke?

[rsieminski]

I've only had one other boat, and it's got a 200 Honda 4 stroke. It's TOTALLY reliable, low maintenance, quiet, fuel efficient, etc. I have had 2 stroke dirt bikes, and the top end needed to be rebuilt every season, or e/o season. What can I expect with the 2 stroke boat engine?

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

Two strokers would run for ever, same the four strokes.Is just what you like the most.E-tec is a very good motor as far as i heard, never had one, same goes for Honda, but some shops don't like them because Honda requires special tooling.Yamaha, merc,zuki, they are fine as long as you take care of them.I had 2 strokes before, and the only reason i would not go back is filling the oil tank and the mess i use to get in rough seas, on the other hand, you can fill the oil tank at the dock, but i only have one brain. ;D 004 004 004

[CFISHN]

First let it be said the E-Tec is form most acounts a great motors !
I went with a 4 stroke due to the idea that what you save on fule is lost on buying oil.
The recomended oil is kinda high "synthetic". but it dose go at 100:1 ratio half that of older 2 strokes you can use regular TCW III ? I was told at 50:1 twice as much used costs less but it has to be programed chip/computer by the shop.

To be fair you have to change oil in a 4 stroke every year too and twice the first year and filters ect.

Noise may be a factor I haven't heard e-tec run but I have haerd 4 strokes purr !

From my recersch on my own new boat the real diff was TORK ! Hole Shot Power
that E-Tec wins hand down and also a more familure power band to ol salts.

cost is another thing E-TEC is priced near the top of the 4 stroke market you could save a lot on some other brands !

GREAT LUCK
Craig 015

[al_e._gator]

All e-tecs come from the factory programmed to run on any TCW3 oil but semi-synthetic is recommended. You can have the engines programmed to run with less oil but then you HAVE to use Evinrude XD-100 oil. XD-100 is hard to find and costs $30 plus per gallon so I left mine setup for TCW3. Admittedly the cost per hour with the more expensive oil is probably the same as running Semisyn TCW3 due to the reduced ratio used. My engine is barely out of break-in where it double oils and I might have used a quart of oil so far. I'm a 2 stroke fan and I love this engine so far.

Oh, BTW rsieminski, If you plan on doing watersports with your skiff you'll appreciate the higher torque of the 2 stroke. The best advice though is to buy the engine that is easiest to get serviced in your area. Now, having said that, the E-tecs have no scheduled maintenance for 3 years or 300 hrs. ;D

[Javy]

My retired buddy just went through replacing motors on his 24ft Prowler. He had Opti-Bombs. I told him to check out Yamaha and he at first was sold on the Etecs (he eventually end up peeking my interest in them as well.)

He end up going with twin 115 Yami's and we go out all the time on them. He is his logic:

1) Oil and delivery. The Etec uses a new oil delivery system and expensive new oil. It really barely uses any oil and he feels that is an accident wanting to happen. That being said I think Etec does a demo with the motor running 5 hours with no oil as well as has a rpm limiter if the cpu detects something wrong.

2)New technology. The Etec is new nothing we can do about it. Only time will tell if it will hold up. Yami's on the other hand are proven to be reliable and he wants these motors to be the last one's he buys.

3)Look at the commerical crabbers and fisherman. Around our area they all have Yami's on their boats.

He consider Suzuki's but last year (07) Suzuki did not have the 6 year manufacturers warranty and Yamaha did. Not the case anymore. I think I am sold with the Suzuki for several reasons. Mainly, better performance than the Yamaha's, same reliablity, good service in my area.

Javy

[Redfish]

Just went through what you are going through, rsieminski. I looked at both the e-tech and Opti as a 2-stroke choice and the Yami and Suzies for 4-stroke. Much of what has been said above is true regarding e-techs: more torque, lighter, better on oil and gas than older conventional 2-smokers. They are, however, a newer technology and, though most reviews are very positive so far, I was concerned with this lack of long-term performance data. In addition, Evenrude went through a real bad patch a few years back and a lot of mechanics and older boaters are still skiddish of the brand.

That being said, I ended up selecting a Suzuki four-stroke for all the benefits discussed above (quieter, no oil tank, slightly more efficient). What sold me on the Suzuki was three things: First, their mid-size motors (90-140) are a "big-block" design and offer more torque than the average mid-size 4-stroke. (The trade-off is greater weight.) Plus, Suzuki uses a lower gear ratio gear box but runs a higher pitch prop on the motors. This supposedly helps even out the low-end torque complaints that are typical of other 4-strokes. Second, I owned a Suzuki on my last boat; it was a totally trouble-free motor. Furthermore, a lot of the commercial guys around here are running them, and they give 'em hell and don't have any major problems. Finally, Suzuki is offering a 6-year warrenty and they were priced about the same as the Opti and the e-tech.

Just my thoughts. I am sure others have their opinions. In fact, if you want to start an argument on this forum, just start bashing any of the "big-four" brands. They all have their respective fans.

[lakebiker]

I swear, I don't see where you guys are coming up with the 2 sts have more torque than the 4 sts do. I've had 2 sts for over 30 years, up to 200 hp Mercs and currently own two one of which is a 1974 50 hp on my pontoon boat that still purrs like a kitten and has never been touched other than impellers. The other is a lot newer however, still a 2 st. My 90F Yama has more torque than ANY motor I've ever owned or on any boat I've ever been in. You can just touch the throttle and this thing jumps, at any speed except wide open. Not trying to start a brand war ie: Yama, Suzy, etc etc but, I just don't get it. This is a 2 st vs 4 st thread. I'm very happy with making the decision with the 4 st and as of today, don't think I'd be willing to go back.

006 006 004

[al_e._gator]

This is from marineenginedigest.com

"In addition to the technical differences between direct-injection two-strokes and four-strokes, at lower rpm DI two-strokes are more potent performers because they boast a power stroke with every swing of the crank. Four-strokes only build power on every other up and down swing of the crank. To compensate some engine builders incorporate a lower gear ratio in the gear case. the lower the ratio, the more torque is multiplied narrowing the gap between two and four strokes."

I know this isn't gospel but it explains part of the reasoning for the 2 strokes have more torque claim.

[lakebiker]

This is from marineenginedigest.com

"In addition to the technical differences between direct-injection two-strokes and four-strokes, at lower rpm DI two-strokes are more potent performers because they boast a power stroke with every swing of the crank. Four-strokes only build power on every other up and down swing of the crank. To compensate some engine builders incorporate a lower gear ratio in the gear case. the lower the ratio, the more torque is multiplied narrowing the gap between two and four strokes."

I know this isn't gospel but it explains part of the reasoning for the 2 strokes have more torque claim.


al, sorry but to me your own data does not support the claim. "narrowing the gap between two and four strokes" does not make it. Maybe with the DI engines as I've not had any experiance with those, they may be better however, I'm sticking with my four stroke.
005 005 ;D ;D 012

[al_e._gator]

Don't matter. I'm happy, you're happy, we'll just agree to disagree. ;D I like two stroke outboards and I miss two stroke bikes. I would love to have an e-tec based RD350 equivalent!

[Shakespeare]

Hey!!! I got some seat time on RD350's. Woo hooo!

[lakebiker]

Don't matter. I'm happy, you're happy, we'll just agree to disagree. ;D I like two stroke outboards and I miss two stroke bikes. I would love to have an e-tec based RD350 equivalent!


Well put. I like em both. ;D ;D You're more than likely too young to remember them but those early 70's 400 Suzi trail bikes, that was one HOT bike. That's the one bike I believe that got all the rest of the others "off the pot" with bringing out hot 2 strokes and the rest as they say, is history.
012

[Javy]

Don't matter. I'm happy, you're happy, we'll just agree to disagree. ;D I like two stroke outboards and I miss two stroke bikes. I would love to have an e-tec based RD350 equivalent!


Shoot, I know that if the Etec proves to be as reliable as Yamaha I would not hesitate to get a 2 stroke. It is a much lighter engine, outperforms a Yamaha of similar hp (watch the Etec tug of war with Yamaha and it drags the Yamaha underwater) and the design of the motor is much better as far as output efficiency goes (ie it has a spark every cycle vs 4 strokes ever other cycle).

But that day of reliablity has not come and until that day comes I would not take the risk. Thanks to all those brave souls taking the initiative, so 6 years down the line I will know if I can get an Etec ;D. That is just my humble opinion.

Javy