Brand new 4 stroke question

[mogfisher]

Hey all. I am contemplating motors for my 20' SeaCraft and I thought I had decided on an Etec (I love love love my current Etec 90 on my other boat) but now the new mercury 2.1L 4 stroke 115 has caught my attention. Less weight than an Etec115, more displacement than a yamaha 115 and probably quieter and better on fuel than both. My dilemma is this. One of the things I love about my Etec is that I hop on the boat, put the motor down, turn the key and it's running. I dont have to fiddle with advance throttle. It wont stall while warming up. I can idle away from the launch seconds after startup if I need to without any drama. In 08 I had bought a brand new mercury 4 stroke and this was not the case. I had to keep rpms up during warm up or it would stall which means you cant put it in gear for a few minutes. Is this the case with the new mercurys? I really feel like the fuel injection systems should be able to compensate without my input and keep the motor running during warmup. The Etecs do. I know its a small thing, but it could be the deciding factor for me on which engine I buy. Does anyone have any experience with these new 4 strokes? Thanks!!

 

[DonHof]

I start my 30 hp 4 stroke put it in gear and go, no warm up need.

 

[ondarvr]

All the modern EFI motors I've used were no different than your car, turn the key and go.

 

[Alumarine]

I operate a 2012 Merc 150 4stroke EFI on occasion.
Touch key, it starts, idles perfectly and is ready to come off the trailer immediately.

Perhaps the 08 was carbed?

 

[flyingscott]

Pretty sure the merc is fuel injected and don't be so sure the 4 strk will be better on fuel than on e-tec. The choice is yours cant really go wrong with any of them.

 

[mogfisher]

This is encouraging information. Mine was a fuel injected motor but if it was a chilly day I had to babysit it like an old carbed motor. My dealer said that's inherent to 4 strokes. Some better than others (honda being worst). When I asked him this question the other day, he said the new ones are the same. He said if it's cold out, you may have to advance the throttle a bit. I just figured I'd get some end user opinions. Thanks for the feedback. If anyone else wants to chime in, I'm all ears.

 

[mogfisher]

Pretty sure the merc is fuel injected and don't be so sure the 4 strk will be better on fuel than on e-tec. The choice is yours cant really go wrong with any of them.

I agree. All great motors. For me it is coming down to a power to weight ratio at this HP Rating. I may even go with the etec 90 on this boat. I'm really loving my etec. I have software for them. I do like my local Merc dealer better than my local Evinrude dealer though. And troll control is nice. On my etec I have to plug in the laptop to change troll speed. Not on the fly like the mercs. The etec 90 is lighter than any in its class, but the merc 115 is lighter than the others in its class so...I put a premium on weight savings because this boat is very sensitive to heavy motors. I know a guy with a yamaha 150 4 stroke on this boat and it's VERY hard to plane and the deck is wet at rest. Not what I'm looking for. I need quick handling and well balanced, not 60 mph.

 

[flyingscott]

I don't know if I would get caught up in a HP to weight ratio comparing an e-tec to a 4 strk. Even with the heavier weight I bet the e-tec is the stronger motor. The only 4 strk I have ever seen that can run with a 2 strk is the supercharged Verado. I haven't had the pleasure of running the Yamaha SHO yet

 

[Alumarine]

This is encouraging information. Mine was a fuel injected motor but if it was a chilly day I had to babysit it like an old carbed motor. My dealer said that's inherent to 4 strokes. Some better than others (honda being worst). When I asked him this question the other day, he said the new ones are the same. He said if it's cold out, you may have to advance the throttle a bit. I just figured I'd get some end user opinions. Thanks for the feedback. If anyone else wants to chime in, I'm all ears.

Funny, as far as having to advance the throttle a bit I'm not sure if that's even an option on the 150 merc I've been using.
I'll have to check it out. In any case, I've never needed it. I think it even has an auto start sequence.

I'm sure they're both fine motors.
I did just change the oil and filter on the merc and it couldn't have been easier.

 

[mogfisher]

I don't know if I would get caught up in a HP to weight ratio comparing an e-tec to a 4 strk. Even with the heavier weight I bet the e-tec is the stronger motor. The only 4 strk I have ever seen that can run with a 2 strk is the supercharged Verado. I haven't had the pleasure of running the Yamaha SHO yet

I certainly agree. Its hard to beat the 2 strokes. These are the criteria I have based my thoughts on. The Etec is 390 lb, 1.7Liter 2 stroke rated at 115hp. The Merc is 359lb 2.1Liter rated at 115hp. The Yamaha is 386lb and 1.8L 115hp. My thoughts are that the merc, having far larger displacement, would have torque close to a 2 stroke with much less displacement and save me 30lb on the transom. Does this seem like a reasonable assumption?

One other factor to consider...The etec is sexy. The yamaha is fugly. The merc is...utilitarian.

 

[flyingscott]

I certainly agree. Its hard to beat the 2 strokes. These are the criteria I have based my thoughts on. The Etec is 390 lb, 1.7Liter 2 stroke rated at 115hp. The Merc is 359lb 2.1Liter rated at 115hp. The Yamaha is 386lb and 1.8L 115hp. My thoughts are that the merc, having far larger displacement, would have torque close to a 2 stroke with much less displacement and save me 30lb on the transom. Does this seem like a reasonable assumption?

One other factor to consider...The etec is sexy. The yamaha is fugly. The merc is...utilitarian.

It could be a reasonable assumption. I am not a huge 4 strk fan so I can't give you a lot of info on them. I have seen the price of oil changes for them it's more than my truck.,

 

[mogfisher]

It could be a reasonable assumption. I am not a huge 4 strk fan so I can't give you a lot of info on them. I have seen the price of oil changes for them it's more than my truck.,

True. But at almost 50 bucks a gallon for etec oil...perhaps a wash? I use a gallon or so a year.

 

[mogfisher]

All other stuff aside, it seems like my original question has been answered and that I should not experience the need to "warm up" a new fuel injected 4 stroke motor. That's really what I came for. Thank you for all the feedback, gentlemen!