Newwer Outboard Longevity???

[Boilermaker]

How do the newwer 2 cycle outboard engines holdup over time???

I know the older OMC outboards will live a very long life with just the typical tuneup/waterpump change & using quality oil. ( I'm still running a 1978 Johnson 115 that has 110Lbs compression on all cyl.& runs great!)

I have heard that the OMC's from the 1990's had some quality slide issues...My buddy had 2 Evinrudes that "Rotted" out the blocks after he repower in the mid 90's. It seems the Aluminum castings didn't hold up well to salt water.
I have also heard that Merc's from the same period did not have the best reputation for a long trouble free life!

I am planning on getting a new boat in the fall for ocean & bay use, and would really like to get a 2 cycle engine...Now that Yamaha is only making 150hp+ in 4 strokers, it seems I must choose between the Optimax and the E-Tec. I would love the E-tec...but it seems very expensive... & a lot of boat manufacturers are rigging for the Mercs.

IS IT WORTH GETTING A 2 STROKE OUTBOARD??? Do they last for more then 500 hours...or will I be looking at repowering before the boat is paid off???

Thanks for your opinions!
Jim

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Newwer Outboard Longevity???

the reason a lot of manufacturers are rigging with Mercury, is because Brunswick Marine owns Mercury / Mercruiser, and about 27 different make of boats, including Bayliner, Searay, Maxium. Brunswick will not let them rigged anything else. the 2008 Bayliner 205 (superboat) only comes in an I/O, because mercury doesn't have an econmical engine that will work with the Hull.

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: Newwer Outboard Longevity???

I was thinking exactly was tashasdaddy said before I read his post....it's all because of the Brunswick market share, the own everything, that's what makes me nuts about Merc's logo "#1 on the water", yeah well that's what owning almost every company will do, has nothing to do with their quality.

I guess you really can't tell about loengevity for E-tec yet, but the way Bombardier builds them and the amount of quality control they put into them, I would say they will last a long time with proper maintenance.

OMC did have a quality slide in the late 90's, that's why there no longer is an OMC.

 

[hitace]

Re: Newwer Outboard Longevity???

the only OMC models in the 90's that had problems were the fitch ram models there carbby models were just as good as ever.

 

[hitace]

Re: Newwer Outboard Longevity???

you can do what i did and see if the dealer will buy the boat without a outboard on it.for example the boat i was getting only came with yamha 4 strokes.so i talked to him and got him to order just the boat.then i went out and found a nice 150 HP 2001 OMC johny (the one you see in my pic)lucky for me the johny was never used.i payed him a little bit to put the improved outboard (well improved to me)on but it was still much cheeper this way then buying it with yamha.its kinda funny 7 year earleyer them boats only came with OMC and the dealer still has some faded evinrude and johnson signs on his wall.talk about bad advertisement when all he sells now its yamha.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Newwer Outboard Longevity???

You can order a boat with "no pre-rig". Mercury cannot prevent you from installing whatever engine you want on your boat. If the dealer will not order a "no-pre-rig" boat, find another dealer or buy a different brand. Alumacraft is one that will do that -- I know because I ordered mine that way. The only way Mercury will get the message is to stand your ground. It's your money, buy what you want.

 

[hitace]

Re: Newwer Outboard Longevity???

im with you all the way there its your money buy what you want.

 

[Boilermaker]

Re: Newwer Outboard Longevity???

Thanks Guys!!!
I agree about Mercury's Brunswick conection.....can you say "MONOPOLY"!!!

A lot of the walk-arounds I'm interested in (such as Sailfish, Edgewater,) come rigged for Yammis! Now my Sailfish dealer said he will buy the boat "un-rigged" for me, but it will cost MORE money then a boat that has the gauges and controls factory installed. THey said to rig for the E-Tec...figure on a 10% increase >>>WITHOUT the additional cost of the engines!

A few years ago (BEFORE the E-TECS & VERADOS) Yamaha ruled the waves hear off Long Island.... Seems they just had things perfected with the HPDI, the V-max, & the other 2 cycle yammis...and then they caved in to the 4 cycle pressure & did away with the large 2 cycles.

I HATE the idea of running a complicated 4 stroker off shore.>>>I'm a firm believer in the K.I.S.S. therory (Keep It Simple, Stupid) and don't want the headachs of valve adjustments, ect...

:-(

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: Newwer Outboard Longevity???

Etecs are great motors but FAR from your K.I.S.S statement. They are no longer simple 2 strokes of year past as far as parts go and can't be fixed with wire, ducttape, and a pair of vicegrips . Just like any modern outboard you are likely to suffer some form of electrical/computer problem before you have an mechanical problem with them.