2006 90 E-tec on Sylvan 820 Pontoon

[njbob]

Hi All, I am considering purchasing a new pontoon boat and the dealer offered me a 2006 E-Tec 90. Can anyone share some tips on this engine? The dealer is a Merc shop and took this motor as a trade and really does not know that much about it. I have read that it can be mapped for different oil. How would I know what he has in there now? He wants 4K for it fresh water use only. Thats over 3K of the cost of a new one. Said his customer had a shifting issue and just wanted a new motor and he rebuilt the lower unt over the winter.

The boat is a Sylvan mirage 820 weigt is about 2,000 lbs max HP is 90 maybe a 50 could push it? Not much into tubing and sking but would like to do it occasionally.

 

[The Rooster]

Re: 2006 90 E-tec on Sylvan 820 Pontoon

I don't know, Bob. The E-tech is a great motor and that 90 hp makes a good combo w/ your Sylvan, but the dealer doesn't sound too confident about what he's got and without any warranty or a water test with a load on it, it might be better to pass. Good luck !!!

 

[Treker57]

Re: 2006 90 E-tec on Sylvan 820 Pontoon

I agree with Rooster on this, while the E-Tec is a good outboard sounds as if this one may have some serious issues. Don't think that someone would dump that E-Tec just because it wasn't shifting right. That alone is not that serious a problem unless it is related to a more serious issue

 

[crb478]

Re: 2006 90 E-tec on Sylvan 820 Pontoon

I would look it over carefully and see if he could let em sea test it to verify that everything worked correctly. If it did had good compression and now shifts right I would chance it.

 

[njbob]

Re: 2006 90 E-tec on Sylvan 820 Pontoon

I trust the dealer he is a local guy and told me that if I have any issue within a few weeks he will exchange it. He has a great reputation but like you guys say I still feel a lump in my throat. How would a 50 pucs it ya think? As thats prob the only new engine I could afford. And are the Mers much different than the Etec

 

[steelespike]

Re: 2006 90 E-tec on Sylvan 820 Pontoon

The Etec is a direct injected 2 stroke. As far as I know the Merc is an injected 4 stroke.
Etec has 2/3s fewer moving parts likely lighter.New motors have no breaking period,and no maintenance for 3 years or 300 hours.
The etec has fewer and less complicated service intervals.Exceeds all CARB and emissions standards.
As far as I know the Merc is a fine motor and does meet or exceed CARB emission standards.But does have the many many moving parts.
Some other makes are now building direct injected 2 strokes.
I think I would stay away from an unknown motor from a dealer that likely doesn't have factory training for and probably no electronic equipment to trouble shoot or setup the motor.
By the way the etec has a program that can tell you the history of the motor hours,rpm,error codes service intervals etc. etc.

 

[WaterDR]

Re: 2006 90 E-tec on Sylvan 820 Pontoon

Can never believe a seller or a dealer, so sounds like two liars. With that said, who knows until you have it checked out. i don't buy any used anything with a motor w/o a compression and leak-down test. Ask the dealer for a warranty of some sort....in writing.

On the other hand, sucks being stranded regardless of the waranty and then waiting weeks to get it fixed.

For me, I don't buy two strokes these days period. Boats with 2 strokes are impossible to sell around here. I just sold a 2000 Pontoon (Premier) with a 4 stroke and the first question everyone asks is "it's not a two stroke, is it?"

 

[Treker57]

Re: 2006 90 E-tec on Sylvan 820 Pontoon

WaterDR where are you located at?

 

[WaterDR]

Re: 2006 90 E-tec on Sylvan 820 Pontoon

Hudson, WI. Near Twin Cities. We boat on the St. Croix River

My 2 stroke comment in regards to re-sale may need a qualifier. There are three types of pontoon owners around here from what I see. An older, cheaper boat, primarily used on a small or medium sized lake, is likely to have a 2 stroke and that's what buyers expect and may even want. Most of these are older, barge style pontoons and good for hanging out and fishing.

Then, you have the families with newer boats (perhaps 8 to 10 years old to brand new). They are not so much into fishing and want a little power for things like tubing etc. They are not the "hard-core" boaters and only think of bad things with 2 strokes, granted, much of it is unwarranted. My neighbor up the street....never owned a boat before, no way was he gooing to buy a 2 stroke with his new Bennington. Many of these people have cabins too.

The last group are the high-end pontoon owners. Keep in mind, if you boat on the St. Croix, you will expect to pay $4,000 to $5,000 a year for a slip around here, so any pontoons owners with this type of budget will always have 4 strokes. Spend 50 to 100k on a pontoon, it either has an inboard, or a 200 to 300 hp 4 stroke.

The vast magority of people fall into the first two groups.

I have had used and new outboards. Best experience was with a new one and was the worst.

Anyone know about Mercs issues right now? They are 7 to 8 weeks out on delivery if the dealer does not have a motor.

Again, if the dealer is willing to stand behind the motor, if it has a major problem you will likely know about it within the first few times out. Have it checked over. These things are not rocket science, but all motors can go bad or have issues.

 

[njbob]

Re: 2006 90 E-tec on Sylvan 820 Pontoon

Thanks to everyone who responded. I am worried with no factory training on the e-tec the guy prob cannot even tell me what kind of oil goes in it. I think I am going to try to get him to knock a grand off cause of the risk I am taking. If he can't do that I'd buty a new motor but do you think a 50 would push the sylvan 820 at 2000 lbs? It will be used on a small lake primarliy just hanging out. Or is the extra 2 to 3 k worth it for the 90?

 

[The Rooster]

Re: 2006 90 E-tec on Sylvan 820 Pontoon

Bob, if you have lots of younger crew wanting to do a lot of watersports, the 90 hp. will provide more of a thrill , but the 50 hp should be fine. Good luck !!!

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: 2006 90 E-tec on Sylvan 820 Pontoon

Anyone know about Mercs issues right now? They are 7 to 8 weeks out on delivery if the dealer does not have a motor.

We're told its a production issue an that makes sense. This area is recovering nicely and sales are up year over year. Merc didn't commit to improving production until they knew a recovery of sorts was real.