90 E-Tec or 115 E-Tec Decision

[captaindale]

My boat of interest is the Key West 176 DC; I am trying to make a decision about the 90 or 115 ETec...This boat is not that big and the saving would be about a thousand between the two engines. The negative about the 115 is that the oil tank would not be part of the motor and would be separate. I am wondering if that is worth it for the increase in power with the 115 and the storage of oil tank as a separate thing. I have never seen the configuration yet ...just learned about this difference tonight on another forum. Would appreciate opinions.

 

[boobie]

Re: 90 E-Tec or 115 E-Tec Decision

My first question would be , what hp is the boat rated for ?? They are both good mtrs. The 90 is a 3 cyl in line and the 115 is a v-4.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 90 E-Tec or 115 E-Tec Decision

Regarding overall fuel consumption. Both are direct inject powerheads and will save on fuel vs the older carbed engines. You'll find a significant different in the engine torque between the two. The 115 will run at a higher speed. You can throttle it back when cruising and save on fuel. You might find the 115 cruising speed to be the same as max throttle on the 90. Most folks don't complain about too much hp.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: 90 E-Tec or 115 E-Tec Decision

My cousin has owned both on the same boat. S tarted with a 90, then got a 115 leftover at a great price. The biggest difference beside the obvious power difference was the 115 was a much smoother runner. Both are very good motors, however.

 

[archcycle]

Re: 90 E-Tec or 115 E-Tec Decision

Without knowing what your water conditions are, probably the 115. When I had a 90 on my 16' deep v if I was headed into a large swell in the Gulf of Mexico there could be serious torque issues and it would bog down. Similarly if a swell was following me the strain on the motor would drop and it would accelerate. Basically constant throttle management when in high swells. With a 140 it just chugs along no matter how violent conditions under the surface are.

Go for the 115. You can always throttle it back a bit but you can't add more torque to the 90. IMO there's nothing wrong with a 90, but considering you're buying new and have the option, if you run into a situation where you feel under powered (weather conditions, or a full passenger load that's embarrassingly slow to plane) that $1,000 spread over a loan is going to feel it ought to have been a no brainer.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 90 E-Tec or 115 E-Tec Decision

Don't forget-at some point you may want to sell the boat. The 115 should command a slightly higher price and may make it sell faster.