E-tec Questions

[bigfish3]

Greetings all,
I had originally asked this in antoher forum, I was advised that I might have better luck here.

I am considering an e-tec for my next CS. The thing is, that I am replacing another boat that has a 4 stroke Honda on it.

I usually will idle for hours while flounder fishing and this does not present any problems with the Honda.

My question is, can I do the same thing with an E-tec and not have any problems? Are there anything I need to be aware of in regards to low, slow operation for extended periods of time?

Thanks for any help I can get,
Butch

[al_e._gator]

You might want to ask the guys at this evinrude specific forum. Most of them are go fast bass guys but a few are dealers/mechanics for evinrude on there. They are very helpful and knowledgeable about these engines


http://bbcboards.zeroforum.com/zeroforum?id=51

[Saltfever]

Only info I have been told on E-Tech engines, light boats such as a skiff, these are ok. Power heads run great, lower units are not beefy enough for heavier boats. An old salt told us this at the boat show last weekend. Said Yamaha is the only trusted engine in the salt environment.

[Willie]

Just saw an add on the tube for Evinrude etech, now with a 5 year warrenty, thats all

[hgerrick]

My local Evinrude dealer refused to sell me an ETEC for my Skiff. He says they are great go fast motors, good power to weight ratio and all that. But he is tired of the part throttle running problems. He reccommended a four stroke, any four stroke for idling around, trolling, running a crab line ect....That was his opinion, I bought a Suzuki ( not from him) could not be happier at this point. About 4 grand less than the Etec, the motor starts, idles and runs perfectly (so far). Others opinions will no doubt vary! 012

[bigfish3]

Thanks hgerrick,

Most of the folks that are using e-tecs around hre seem to be more concerned with the hole shot and WOT.

I usually idle for hours. I am heading to Florida in a few weeks. We will be fishing ot of a 24 Hydra-sports with a big e-tec on it.

I am hopeful that I can get some hands on answers to some of my questoins.

It wont be the same HP as I am looking for, but I have some things I would like to try.

I had seen a posting elsewhere about the E-tec stumbling around 2000 RPM. Something to do with the way the computer handles fuel to air ratio when running from slow to fast.

2000 rpm is probably where the boat wants to get on plane anyway, I bet it would be annoying for a minute, but I dont think anyone would run there for long. Slow down or speed up? Then again perhaps for some it is a deal breaker...

Thanks,
Butch

[Dave]

I wanted an E-Tech on my skiff at first but was persuaded by my research to think again. Seems like a good motor and I think you're right on with the go-fast crowd. I got nothing against 'em (that's why I wanted one) except I kept hearing and reading opinions (from folks more experienced the me) that the E-Tech was destined to die a slow death, succumbing to the ever improving, more popular 4-Strokes. I plan to have this boat and motor for a looooooooog time, work on it myself, and I sure don't want to (eventually) have problems getting parts. I finally succumbed myself and power my DLV 218 with a Suz 140 4-stroke and couldn't be more pleased. Last motor I had was a Suz 150 2-stroke - a real nice and real powerful motor but man, though I'd heard much about 'em, I wasn't prepared for the grand solitude and pleasure of running a 4-stroke.

Dave

[bigfish3]

Dave,
I have a 14' power catamaran with a carbed Honda 30 in it now. When I first got the motor, I had it on a different boat. Whenever I came to the dock, people would come running to help me, they all thought my motor had quit it was so quiet!

You get used to it!

The e-tec folks have told me that they are about as quiet.

As far as a slow death is concerend, I dont see it happening. The nice folks from the Great White North have a ton invested in the technology. The CARB rating and emissions outputs they claim seem to have them poised to sell motors well into the future.

Not to mention that the folks that have them love them.

I am just not sure that they are for me, at leat not yet. I have not ruled them out, but I really wish I could find someone who has real experience with hours of trolling on one of these.

The low end torque and ability to jump on plane would be a real bonus, but it is not a deal braker for me.

I never did a cost analysis on the oil expense. But I am going to start checking into it.

My dealer mentioned that ther program it for different types of oil, the factory stuff is evidently 100% synthetic!
I use synthetic Oil in the Electraglide and I am a fan even though it is more expensive.

[Dave]

Dave,
I have a 14' power catamaran with a carbed Honda 30 in it now. When I first got the motor, I had it on a different boat. Whenever I came to the dock, people would come running to help me, they all thought my motor had quit it was so quiet!


Second or third time I ramped my (new) boat, I was standing in it while my wife was pulling the boat and trailer out of the water. Lucky for me a fellow was standing on the dock right next (and behind me). I was about to debark and start unloading stuff when he hollered over "hey fellow, your motor is still running" - 001 A few more seconds and I could have had a real expensive experience. :'(

Dave

[al_e._gator]

BRP has thrown all their eggs in the e-tec basket. They just announced that production has ceased on all Johnson 4 strokes and they have retired the Johnson name. I don't think Evinrude is going to die anytime soon. The fact that the engines are two stroke has no bearing on their viability. Emissions-wise they are as clean as any four stroke. When it comes to oil, an e-tec will run on any TCW-3 certified oil unless you have the computer set up to run synthetic only. Most people run semi-syn or full syn even with the computer set for TCW-3 because these oils run cleaner and lube better. These engines are very frugal with oil and run at 100 to 1 when set up for synthetic only. The reports of stumbles around 2000 rpm are said to be related to the computer changing the way fuel is injected from low speed mode to high speed mode. I believe some computer updates have been made to address this. I haven't noticed the problem with my 90. One last thing the e-tec uses very, very little oil at idle speed. The safe mode when the oil tank is empty will let you run at 1200 rpm or less for up to 5 hours without damaging the engine. This is why I believe (my opinion only) that there won't be any problems with loading up at low rpm.

[Guido]

I have a 115 hp e-tec on my pontoon boat and I think it is the greatest motor I have ever owned. Idles all day with no problem and gets up and goes when you punch it. My J16 has a 25 hp Suziki 4 stroke that runs rougher and louder than the Evinrude. Seriously considering a 40 hp e-tec for the skiff.