75hp Mer OpiMax vs. 75hp E-Tec

[sskevin71]

Hello! I have a 2004 BassTracker ProCrappie 175 w/ a 2005 Merc 50hp. The 50hp gets me up but have to leave it at full throttle. I want to upgrade and 75hp is the max rated for my boat. I wondered if anyone had an opinion between the 75hp Optimax and the 75hp E-Tec. I have been to bothe companies sites and am confused as they both say they are the best the same things. Is there another reliable source out there? The local Prop Shop services both and he says he only sees the E-tec's when customers bring in for new prop or for 300 hour service but he sees Mercs all the time.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: 75hp Mer OpiMax vs. 75hp E-Tec

Both products are too new to tell and both manufacturers claim the world is in their pocket. Never believe marketing. Look for INDEPENDENT sources.

 

[gss036]

Re: 75hp Mer OpiMax vs. 75hp E-Tec

If!?? I had to repower at the present time I would be leaning about 75% to the E-Tec and about 25% to the Honda, but I would be looking for a 225 hp. From all I had read about the optimax is that they require too much maintence, always requires a "BIG" battery to run and has a belt that drives a compressor plus all the electronics. Just my 2 cents for what it is worth, which is nothing.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: 75hp Mer OpiMax vs. 75hp E-Tec

FWIW, a friend of mine bought a Ranger w/175 Optimax. About the same time, his son got back from Iraq and bought the same boat, but w/150 E-Tech. My friend says that E-Tech will walk all over his Merc. while burning less gas.

I've never been in either boat, so, like I said, for what it's worth.

 

[sskevin71]

Re: 75hp Mer OpiMax vs. 75hp E-Tec

I handt really considered the Honda because of the 4 stroke maintenance. Are they better than other 4 strokes? I know the 75hp Honda weighs 60lbs more than the e-tec. I have been searching for good independant sources but they are hard to come by. Can anyone point me in the direction of a good unbiasd source that has tested both? Please....
Thanks for the reply...

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: 75hp Mer OpiMax vs. 75hp E-Tec

its very hard to find "independent" voices. Honda's are great engines and the Etec is starting to build a good name for itself also. I really wouldn't worry about 4 stroke maintanace, its no big deal especially if you change your own oil (costs about 30$ for oil and filter every 100hours / once a year) and check/change the timing belt every 400 hours or every 4 years. The Diehard 2 stroke guys on here make is sound like you need to service a 4 stroke everytime you go to the lake! I know you want a 75hp but also look at the Suzuki DF70 4 stroke, a bit lighter than the Honda and a very well proven engine and its listed weight of 359# is its wet weight, they use to be listed as 336# dry weight (which is how most other outboards are weighed)

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: 75hp Mer OpiMax vs. 75hp E-Tec

Three different guys in my neighborhood all bought new motors the same summer... 1 with a 2004 75 e tec, one with a 2004 140 e-tec, and one with a 2004 175 Optimax.

The neighbor with the 75 is on a pontoon boat. He has had it to the dealer repeatedly for computer issues; when it's running right, it's like a top. It's had him stranded once.

The other two boats have had spark plug and impeller changes... nothing else.


Now I hear other tales of an e-tec with flames coming out of the exhaust as it flies across the lake slicing an Optimax clean in half without even a drop in RPMs as it rips through the Mercury powerhead. This I have not personally seen; the other 3 motors, I have seen on many occasions as well as ridden on the boats they are attached to.​

 

[sskevin71]

Re: 75hp Mer OpiMax vs. 75hp E-Tec

Thanks for the advise. I will look into the Suzuki's aswell and also into this other story about E-tec's splitting Optimax's in half. I guess it's luck of the draw. My uncle has a 70's model evinrude, 25hp I think, and it fires right up to this very day.

 

[StratosRob]

Re: 75hp Mer OpiMax vs. 75hp E-Tec

I'm a die hard two stroke guy. The four strokes are building a name for themselves and so are the two strokes. From my understanding there is a weight issue. The four stroke being heavy. But just remember there is nothing like the smell of a awaken two stroke first thing in the morning.Very pleasent. Price diffrent parts for the engines at hand and see what might be more costly to keep up. For all that matters price a complete rebuild. I think you are going to find the four stroke is $$$. Just an opinion so you four stroke guys dont take it the wrong way.

 

[BillP]

Re: 75hp Mer OpiMax vs. 75hp E-Tec

I have five 2 strokes and one 4 stroke. What I'm seeing in my area is etec owners are raving about how much they like them. I'm also seeing first time 4 stroke owners buying etecs for their next motor. I will join them next time around. Maintenance is higher with 4 strokes and that isn't hype. Just read maintenance schedules of 4 strokes and leave valves, timing belts/chains and crankcase oil changes off the 2 stroke schedule.

BP

 

[Bass Man Bruce]

Re: 75hp Mer OpiMax vs. 75hp E-Tec

I have a fifty hp etec with just over two full seasons on it. I would buy another in heartbeat if someone stole this one.
Runs smooth, starts instantly, quiet, sips gas, Came with a 7 year warranty.
I never heard about that slicing an opti in half though, might hafta give it a try!

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: 75hp Mer OpiMax vs. 75hp E-Tec

I handt really considered the Honda because of the 4 stroke maintenance. Are they better than other 4 strokes? I know the 75hp Honda weighs 60lbs more than the e-tec. I have been searching for good independant sources but they are hard to come by. Can anyone point me in the direction of a good unbiasd source that has tested both? Please....
Thanks for the reply...

The Honda BF75d is all new for this year, it now has the same fuel injection (PFI) that has been tried and true in the larger marine engines only refined with an 02 sensor for economy.

It weighs 366lbs.

The engine oil is changed (after the break-in service)every 100hrs, 4quarts.
The oil filter is changed every 200 hrs.
The valves are adjusted every 200 hrs.
No timing belt, it's a chain.

The other service components are what is on 2strokes, gearoil, plugs, fuel filters, water pump, etc.

All this talk about 4 strokes being more maintenence is true. However, it surely isn't that much more.

 

[hitace]

Re: 75hp Mer OpiMax vs. 75hp E-Tec

just rember when its race time you will only see 2 stroke

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: 75hp Mer OpiMax vs. 75hp E-Tec

just rember when its race time you will only see 2 stroke

This weekend had the Nitro National racing sledboats here at Red Bluff.
The fastest was in the neighborhood of 285mph, they were all 4strokes.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: 75hp Mer OpiMax vs. 75hp E-Tec

Thanks for the advise. I will look into the Suzuki's aswell and also into this other story about E-tec's splitting Optimax's in half. I guess it's luck of the draw. My uncle has a 70's model evinrude, 25hp I think, and it fires right up to this very day.

Well, that 25 hp was made by OMC. Modern evinrudes are made by BRP. Not much is the same. OMC was by far the BEST engine, but BRP's IMHO are easily camparible to any others. If I were in your shoes, I would be looking at older OMC motors, but I am just a stubborn OMC guy, so I aint buyin' new anytime soon. I guess you could take my 2 cents worth for free as it ain't what you want to hear.

 

[hitace]

Re: 75hp Mer OpiMax vs. 75hp E-Tec

This weekend had the Nitro National racing sledboats here at Red Bluff.
The fastest was in the neighborhood of 285mph, they were all 4strokes.

im talking about outboards your talking about stern drives or inboards.you cant compare a 2 stroke outboard to a 4 stroke stern drive or inboard.so let me refrase when its outboard race time you will only see 2 stroke.

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: 75hp Mer OpiMax vs. 75hp E-Tec

im talking about outboards your talking about stern drives or inboards.you cant compare a 2 stroke outboard to a 4 stroke stern drive or inboard.so let me refrase when its outboard race time you will only see 2 stroke.

They were saying the same thing about snowmobiles 5 years back (also a sport with diehard 2 strokers), Yamaha changed that with there 4 stroke lineup. Add a turbo to a 4 stroke and watch out. I'm amazed no one has done a turbo 4 stroke outboard yet with todays turbos there is no lag and you gain ALOT of power for very little added weight (would be a better setup than the Mercury Verado IMO).

 

[sskevin71]

Re: 75hp Mer OpiMax vs. 75hp E-Tec

Well, I guess there are strong pros and cons in the 2 stroke vs. 4 stroke battle and that will be deliberated in my head. So I guess what I want to know is if I were to choose a 2 stroke 75hp, what is the best one out there? Also if I choose and 4 stroke, which one is the best? What I am hearing here is that the Suzuki and Honda are probably the best 4's but what about the 2's? I know opinions vary alot and I have learned a great deal of info on this site since joining a few days ago. Please keep the opinions coming because I consider everyone's "2 cents" valuable info. Thanks again folks!

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: 75hp Mer OpiMax vs. 75hp E-Tec

The e-tec and the Optimax are both excellent motors.

Here goes: The optimax gets better fuel economy.​

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: 75hp Mer OpiMax vs. 75hp E-Tec

Well, I guess there are strong pros and cons in the 2 stroke vs. 4 stroke battle and that will be deliberated in my head. So I guess what I want to know is if I were to choose a 2 stroke 75hp, what is the best one out there? Also if I choose and 4 stroke, which one is the best? What I am hearing here is that the Suzuki and Honda are probably the best 4's but what about the 2's? I know opinions vary alot and I have learned a great deal of info on this site since joining a few days ago. Please keep the opinions coming because I consider everyone's "2 cents" valuable info. Thanks again folks!

Sounds like you have your choices, pick your favorite dealer with a good reputation and chose from what ever brands they sell. Etec is a little new but in the 75hp class I haven't heard anything bad about them, can't say the same about the 40-60hp ones though as I know 2 people that bought 1st year ones and have had issues but they are running better with every computer update. I never hear much about Optimax around here since most people with mercs are running 4 strokes. The Suzuki 70hp is built on there 1.3L automotive engine thats been proven for 15+ years and sips fuel. I've never heard bad stuff about honda but there isn't many around my area either.