Re: e-tec ?
I agree it is like the Ford/Chevy thing, but to me the comparison when it comes to these two outboards isn't a very big one. The E-tec is a way more advanced DI system than the Optimax. The Optimax is a dated system that Merc just keeps putting out there, they have improved it to the point of just working out most of the bugs that used to blow powerheads, but haven't made it any better, in theory, than the original system.
E-tec is a whole new, improved generation of 2 Stroke DI, Optimax can't compare. Merc put all of it's eggs in the supercharged 4 stroke basket, Bomby can't come close to competing with them there.....but nobody can measure up to Bomby on DI, E-tec is the most innovative thing in outboards, maybe ever.