Eight-Way 50 HP Outboard Shootout

[Kiwi Phil]

I came across this field test-survey on todays range of (8) outboard motor brands.
I found it very informative.
Cheers
Phillip

http://www.trailerboats.com/output.cfm?id=2259109

 

[JB]

Re: Eight-Way 50 HP Outboard Shootout

Good info, Phil. Gonna move it to Outboard Non-repair and stick it.

Thanks,

 

[SeaNymph Man]

Re: Eight-Way 50 HP Outboard Shootout

The big question is; How much longer is Mercury and Yamaha going to be allowed to build their carbed two strokes with all the EPA regulations out
now? Yamaha's carbed two strokes from 8 hp all the way up to a 150 VMax
carbed unit,...according to the latest Yamaha brochure I have,...are still available. Again,the question is; How much longer will it be before Yamaha
drops them and same with Mercury's remaining carbed two strokes? As for
Evinrude's E-TEC,...well,let's just say I am still on the fence about that motor,and here's why; not sure I am willing to fall for the claim that you
can 1,...run the thing full throttle right out of the box without breaking it in
properly, 2,..go three years without maintainance and 3,..run it for five hours without oil even at a reduced RPM. I would not run my truck one block without oil! I think I will play it smart and stay away from the E-TEC for those reasons
now. Very good possibility on my next boat that I will choose a Mercury four
stroke EFI motor instead. Honda and Yamaha are too expensive,and I am not
really familiar with Suzuki and Tohatsu enough to trust them on my next boat,...IF that comes about,of course. Thinking about a return to Lund for
my next boat,and it could possibly be a WC-16 w/25 HP EFI Merc four stroke!

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Eight-Way 50 HP Outboard Shootout

You will be trusting Tohatsu if you buy that Mercury...Its a Tohatsu

 

[steelespike]

Re: Eight-Way 50 HP Outboard Shootout

I don't understand your reluctance to look further into trhe Etec.
I think the etecs have been around for 7 or 8 years now I think if there was
a question about their claims or problems with the product in general it would be out there to see.I think the 4 strokes are fine motors but there are too many moving parts.Hole shot performance is tricky to get right.
Service intervals are more frequent and and more involved.I believe
making oil is still a problem requiring specific procedures to combat.
Efficiency is pretty much a wash with each type having its good points.
The simplicity of any 2 stroke motor is almost ubelievable compared to a 4 stroke.
You should really check out the 25 and 30 hp etecs at the brp etec site. I believe a short shaft manual start is 147 lbs.They have a special trolling button/setting.There are full specs,available models and detailed performance reports.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Eight-Way 50 HP Outboard Shootout

This shootout pretty much confirms at wide open throttle it doesn't matter whether and engine is a two stroke or four, carbed, EFI, or DFI, they all burn roughly 10% of their rated horsepower. But the more interesting numbers are fuel economy which most people tend to look at. Although at midrange the four-strokes tend to show better economy you also need to look at the boat speeds at the rpm where best economy is achieved. You will note that most of the four strokes are reving much higher than two strokes at their most economic rpm and even though the two strokes are reving slower, they are generally pushing the boat faster at their most economic rpm. That is difficult to get folks to understand but simply looking at best fuel economy and claiming that's cruise speed is rather meaningless in a comparison like this. What is cruise speed for one engine is not necessarily cruise speed for another. I own two strokes and a Suzy 4-stroke. For overall performance I prefer a two-stroke. For pontoon service I like the Suzy.

 

[ChrisAG]

Re: Eight-Way 50 HP Outboard Shootout

I think I will play it smart and stay away from the E-TEC for those reasons
now.

Because they make some claims that their engine is durable?!? Interesting logic there. 99% of products out there are touted as "the best" by their manufacturer for one reason or another... most shoppers take the claims with a grain of salt and make their decision based on price, performance, warranty, dealer rating, etc.

 

[jevery]

Re: Eight-Way 50 HP Outboard Shootout

Charted the data to Excel. Click on thumbnails for larger image.

 

[jevery]

Re: Eight-Way 50 HP Outboard Shootout

Here's another good comparison of the 50s from Bass and Walleye Boats magazine, 50 HP Roundup

 

[tboltmike]

Re: Eight-Way 50 HP Outboard Shootout

Hard to think there was that much difference.

 

[oldblue]

Re: Eight-Way 50 HP Outboard Shootout

I it does not make a whole lot of diff but yamaha and tohatsu do come factory with a aluminum prop and the others with s.s. I know on my yamy it made some improvment

 

[oldgradywhite]

Re: Eight-Way 50 HP Outboard Shootout

I can't believe how bad the etec underpreformed. I wonder why I thought dfi's were fast as the old school 2 strokes? It was the best for trolling. I am currently in the market for a 50. look like the merc is the way to go.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Eight-Way 50 HP Outboard Shootout

The 40 and 50 Etec are the dogs of the line. Their performance is a little off, but in every other respect they are equal to or superior to almost everything else.

 

[ChrisAG]

Re: Eight-Way 50 HP Outboard Shootout

I'm curious, what about the 60? Isn't it based on the 40 and 50?

 

[oldgradywhite]

Re: Eight-Way 50 HP Outboard Shootout

Judging by the 40 and 50 I am sure its a dog too. The 60 is still a 2 cylinder when every one else is using a 4 cylinders. Even the classic rudes 60's were 3 cylinders. But I guess it what you are looking to do with the motor if your troling its the best choice?

In other hp ranges they do real well. These smaller motors they jest don't. There real heavy for only 2 cylinders too look at the others in the class. I am still thinking about buying it but I most likey buy a merc due to price and performance.

 

[DJ]

Re: Eight-Way 50 HP Outboard Shootout

Being they are a Boating Mag., they know where their bread is buttered.

They didn't call out one as bad or good. They know where their $$$ come from.

The good news, for us, is that they're all OK.

Choose for your particular environment.