to add... my 75hp ETEC 2005 has been flawless or near flawless for 17 going on 18 years. Before they R.I.P'd Evinrude my only issue was false NO OIL code 38 fixed by BRP in year 7 of ownership thanks to the proof logged in the EMM fault log memory..... since new . AT 73 it is my last one... hope it holds up a few more years. TLC is my only savior
uses less fuel than my old Merc 45 !!
Evinrude (OMC) spread themselves too thin by buying a bunch of low end boat companies. Then, their ETec design was a bomb and they were replacing more existing motors than selling new ones. By the time they got it right it was too late.
As an old fart, I simply want to go out in the boat and not ticker any more. My old 2-strokes work very well, but there is maintenance involved.
From one old fart to another, I am the same way...dont care to fix things anymore. However, my late 70's to early 90's motors gave been very trouble free. My ladt few outboards have started right up after a long winters nap. I do maintain my fuels condition for storage, and a quick treatment of plugs and cylinders for storage. Never a starting issue othe than an ocassional part failure. Had to replace a cdi box on one motor and a primer pump on another motor and a fuel pump on another, etc, just ocassional routine stuff. In some ocassions I have had to rebuild carbs when first purchased but after initial setup, no issues. I am a bit of a cheap skate except when it come to fixing or maintaining my toys. New motor costs are just....expensive, just cant justify the cost to save a few gallons of fuel. From my reading and research, many of the new motors require premium fuel, so much ofbthe fuel savings will be eaten up in more costly fuel. Hey...forv those that want new motors....go for it...just like a new car, cant justify 40K plus for a new vehicle, I keep buying 5 year old, like new vehicles and drive them for 5-6 years with few repairs...no matter what type of machine it is....maintenence is key!!!!!
Just before I retired I read a white paper that detailed the "Eleven Rules To Follow In Retirement". A few stuck.
I really like number 3....nakes a lot of sense!! We also planned to have some fun, bought a motorhome, had a nice boat, started to travel. Wifes hips went bad, gad both replaced, then I had a heart attack, but was lucky, no damage, a quick triple bypass and back on the road in 12 weeks. Then all hell broke loose, wifes back went out, two surgeries later, worse than ever. Can barely go to the bathroom on her own. Sold the big boat and the MH, went to a small boat I can handle by myself. Things dont always go as planned. My bucket got a big hole in it, so we never know what the future will bring !!
When I was a young pup, my retired neighbor responded to my question about his new car with a comment I will never forget; "The funeral procession does not stop at the bank!"
My favorite comment is "the hearse doesn't pull a u-haul trailer"
One that I heard was " Hearse's dont come with trailer hitches or roof racks". !!
Unfortunately the grave diggers will get that!!
