E-Tech Evinrude vs Mercury

[M Lucas]

I am about to purchase a 21.5 deck boat (Tahoe) and need to decide which motor to buy for it. Any info on new 150hp E-Tech Evinrude or Merc would be appreciated.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: E-Tech Evinrude vs Mercury

Well, I might as well get the ball rolling. <br /><br />Welcome to Iboats Compromise! Which Mercury are you looking at, the Verado, Optimax, or (naturally aspirated) four-stroke?

 

[ziemann]

Re: E-Tech Evinrude vs Mercury

Might I suggest using that big red "SEARCH" button at the top of the page??<br /><br />You will get dozens of opinions...all of which have been beaten to death....then beaten again. Then we put meat tenderizer on the dead horse...<br /><br />Lets be realistic, Mercury and BRP (Evinrude) both now days make decent products. I tend to let availblity of parts and service guide my decision.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: E-Tech Evinrude vs Mercury

Also take into consideration, Merc has NOTHING in the same class as the E-Tec in 2-strokes.<br />Compare warranty...<br />More info is becoming available every day that indicates, without question, the E-Tec is in a class of it's own.<br />If comparing 2-strokes, look at the std. DFI Evinrudes..that's apples to apples to the Optimax.<br />I'll get my eye poked out for this because Merc has some good products, but they don't have the E-Tec....some will say, yes, but Merc has the Verado...great, for another 100+ pounds in the same HP plus about an extra 100 moving parts the 2-stroke doesn't have, and they still won't get the fuel milage.<br />I know of atleast 2 boat manufacturer's, owned by Brunswick (Merc), that have decided to redesign the rear of their boats to handle the weight of the Verado because they won't as they are.<br />Service is very important, and if you have to travel an extreme distance for any maintenance, either brand could be a problem in that aspect.<br />The answer would be very clear to me, now let the poking begin....and welcome aboard!!

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: E-Tech Evinrude vs Mercury

One more vote: Two Stroke = ETECH!!!!

 

[Gordon Goldie]

Re: E-Tech Evinrude vs Mercury

I've just bought an E-Tec 90 - no maintenance for three years and I love it.

 

[Chief101]

Re: E-Tech Evinrude vs Mercury

I don't know about that POG, I get antsy if I can't play with my outboard engine over the winter, and there ain't enough normal maintenance to do on a 2 stroke motor anyroads. Chief

 

[Texasmark]

Re: E-Tech Evinrude vs Mercury

Hey Kenny,<br /><br />Man you need to disclaim yourself, beings you are a rude dude and all. Har Har Har.<br /><br />Mark

 

[steamboatwilly]

Re: E-Tech Evinrude vs Mercury

I agree with walleyehed.But how does Mercury get by in all their comercials saying theirs are best fuel mileage of any other?

 

[fishingdan]

Re: E-Tech Evinrude vs Mercury

There is a lot of e-tec info on this site and others. The only other thing I will add is that, I believe, the e-tec 150s are just starting to be delivered now. This is a good thing, but there may be many orders to fill resulting in a possibly delay.

 

[andy6374]

Re: E-Tech Evinrude vs Mercury

Curious...<br /><br />What separates the E-Tec from the Optimax's of today?<br /><br />Second, I think BRP is opening a can of worm advertising a maintenance free engine for XXX years. No matter what, especially if you run in salt, I would have the tstat and waterpump replaced every two seasons( of course one should change the gear lube, spark plugs....also). Why flirt with death?

 

[Gordon Goldie]

Re: E-Tech Evinrude vs Mercury

Originally posted by andy6374:<br /> Curious...<br /><br />What separates the E-Tec from the Optimax's of today?<br /><br />Second, I think BRP is opening a can of worm advertising a maintenance free engine for XXX years. No matter what, especially if you run in salt, I would have the tstat and waterpump replaced every two seasons( of course one should change the gear lube, spark plugs....also). Why flirt with death?

Do you know better than Evinrude Andy?

 

[roscoe]

Re: E-Tech Evinrude vs Mercury

They claim "no scheduled maintenance", but you still need to monitor for defects or problems.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: E-Tech Evinrude vs Mercury

They say no dealer scheduled maintenance. You don't have to take it back to a dealer for a 10 or 20 hr check, no 100 hr check, no winterizing etc.<br /><br />Also you gotta be careful about what any company says about their motor. Merc may claim that the Verado has the best economy of any motor in it's class. OK -- what is "it's class"? If youre talking about supercharged 4 stroke outboards as "it's class" then that's probably true. What other supercharged 4 stroke outboard is there?

 

[andy6374]

Re: E-Tech Evinrude vs Mercury

Pride of Glasgow-<br />I certainly don't think I know more the BRP. I was mentioning I couldn't imagine not servicing a saltwater engine regularly, but that just me. I like preventative maintenance.<br /><br />Dhadley-<br />I wasn't trying to compare Verado's with Etec's, but rather 2006 Optimax's to 2006 Etec's. I not taking a stand for one or the other. I was just wondering what separates the two (reliability, raw power, the internals,....)

 

[Ron G]

Re: E-Tech Evinrude vs Mercury

well ive got buddies with both 225 e-tecs brand new and optimax.seems like our dealer around here got a bad batch of the e-tecs i know of 3 that have blown up since november.but talking about service they had new powerheads and new computer programs on them in less than a week.the company is taking care of the batch of problemed ones from what i hear.the e-tec seems to be stronger in my opion and from what ive heard.my next motor will probably be an e-tec.just what ive heard around here.

 

[gss036]

Re: E-Tech Evinrude vs Mercury

I have been following the E-Tec and Opti-Pops for quite a while now. I think one big down side of the Opti's are the fact that require a "BIG" battery for electric power and that they have a fan belt for thier compressor for injection. I think running one or the other is a close call, both get get good fuel comsumption a low/mid range rpms, but the fact is, that it takes a certain amount of gasoline to create high rpms and power and it does not matter whether you are running 2 or 4 stroke, DFI, EFI or Carbs, WOT is about 20+ gallons per hour on the 200-250 HP motors.<br />If I had to repower this year, I would probably go with the E-Tec, but the local dealers are wanting full price and will not budge.

 

[BillP]

Re: E-Tech Evinrude vs Mercury

If etecs are anything close to what OMC used to be, doing 3 yrs and 300hrs without changing parts isn't a problem in saltwater without flushing. Don't try that with a merc though.<br /><br />I noticed two big etecs on a USCG patrol boat the other day. It's a no brainer to me. Get rid of my 4 stroke and buy an etec the next time around.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: E-Tech Evinrude vs Mercury

I love these "x vs y" threads. With the price of gas now I'm going to keep my trusty 28hp. I can cruise at 25 mph and have enough money left over at the end of the day for a hamburger!

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: E-Tech Evinrude vs Mercury

I used to love Mercs......until I had a Johnson and then afterwards a few Evinrudes. "Once I leave black I aint goin' back!" <br /><br />...besides Mercs are just Yams in disguise ...and now with a blower on them!<br /><br />Where are you Merc lovin' fools?