Many outboarders know that the [E-TEC] has had [its] share of problems. I know "up north" in Canada and Alaska where outboards are put to the test they have not a lot of fans.
This is quite funny. On the E-TEC OWNERS GROUP forum there are two very active participants who live and boat in Alaska and swear by the E-TEC.
Also, the same technology as the E-TEC (direct-injection two-stroke-power-cycle) is used in SKI-DOO snow machines, which obviously are used in northern parts of this continent. SKI-DOO is the market leader in snow machines (or snow-mobiles) and their engines are all based on the E-TEC.
All outboard engines have their "share of problems."
Many outboard engine owners know that there is really ZERO statistically relevant information about the frequency of repair record of particular engines, brands, and models available to the public.
One dealer that has a weekly radio program...
Outboard dealers with radio shows are interested in self-promotion. They are not inherently oracles of fact.