E-Tec turns out be a Ficth!!!!!!

[puff tentacle]

I went to see that 1999 Mako yesterday with what I thought was an 06 E-Tec 150 that turned out to be a 2004 150 Ficth under Bombardier. In the brokers defense, the boats he sells on the lot are 200-500k Center consoles and he took this boat because it's super well maintained and clean. He is making only like $200 on the sale he claims so he has not really spent too much time on it. The cowling is that all white one that has no writing on it and I only found out is was a Ficth when I took the cowling off. He called the owner up and put him on speaker and the back story is the owners original engine was a dud which Evinrude had to replace the powerhead and a few things and it eventually crapped out. Bombardier got the company and I think gave him a good discount on a new 2004 engine and gave him like a 7 year warranty so he researched and saw that Bombardier I guess made corrections on the Ficth direct injection engine so he bought the engine. He claims he has not had a problem with the new engine. I will probably stay away from this boat just because of the name "Ficth" and resale will kill me if I want to sell the boat. It's a shame because I really liked the boat and it was very well maintened. Wiggle room on the price too with a great upgraded trailer. Just curious if there anyone out here has those engines when Bombardier took over and if they really corrected the issues that bankrupted Evinrude. Thank you

 

[jimmbo]

That 2004 is already 14 yrs old, I expect it to die a horrible twitching death within the next few years, and will need replacing. You liked the boat. So if the price is really sweet...

 

[boobie]

That Ficht motor was built when BRP had control of the company. Haven't heard of too many bad reports about them.

 

[daselbee]

I own the same motor and I have no complaints.

Ooopsss....my 2004 is a 225HO, so it is different.

 

[puff tentacle]

That Ficht motor was built when BRP had control of the company. Haven't heard of too many bad reports about them.

i believe it was built when Evinrude owned the company and I was told that's what put them out of business was that motor.

 

[lmuss53]

'02 is the first year for BRP, your motor was built 2 years after the takeover.

Read about the Ficht and OMC story and what BRP did to fix the motors, I think you'll get a better feeling for the one you are looking at.

Here is a link to a pretty good post about the whole issue.

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/24836-i-need-a-brief-ficht-ram-education/

 

[puff tentacle]

i believe it was built when Evinrude owned the company and I was told that's what put them out of business was that motor.

Thank You.

I do think that they ironed out the problems by 2004 but I called three Evinrude places included where the original engine was purchased, and they say to stay away from it due to the difficulty and cost of parts. I think I would only feel comfortable if I got this boat well below what he is asking in anticipation of repowering soon. Let's face it , if I decide to buy this and the engine doesn't give me any trouble but I decide to move up to bigger boat, I will have a difficult time selling that boat because of the name "Ficth" attached to it.

 

[lmuss53]

I've got no argument for that, make your rock bottom offer and if they turn it down, keep shopping.

I personally don't trust anything a dealer ever says to me. His only concern is to sell you something he has or can get. I know this doesn't apply to all of them, but it sure applies to a lot of them.

 

[jimmbo]

BRP acquired Evinrude in 2001, the E-Tec was introduced somewhere around 2003 - 2004. it was probably in the advance development stage when OMC went belly up. I remember the 2nd Gen FICHT(FICHT Ram) being marketed along side the E-Tec for a couple of years. I would listen to the dealer and not walk from it, RUN!