Upgrading 150 2 stroke to 200 4 stroke, which is best

[tazmnaz]

I have a 1998 Lund Tyee 19.5 with an Evinrude OMC 150 FICHT owned both since new. I am getting tired of the nonreliability of the 150. My dilema comes in that I need a 20" shaft to fit the boat and the only 200 4 stroke I can find is the Mercury Verado. I have heard they have electronic issues like I already have with the OMC. Are the new ones (2008) more dependable? Which would be the best if I rebuild my transom to 25" or get a new boat? I have heard good things about both the Yamaha and Honda 4 strokes.

 

[JB]

Re: Upgrading 150 2 stroke to 200 4 stroke, which is best

I would get a jack plate and a etec 150.

 

[gss036]

Re: Upgrading 150 2 stroke to 200 4 stroke, which is best

I would agree with JB. The big 4 strokes are too heavy for your boat. Buying into the Evinrude family will probably get you better trade in value for you old engine.

 

[tazmnaz]

Re: Upgrading 150 2 stroke to 200 4 stroke, which is best

I am shy of the OMC brand from my experience. How dependable are the ETecs?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Upgrading 150 2 stroke to 200 4 stroke, which is best

Check the Evinrude/Johnson forum and see how many posts you can find on E-tec problems. There simply aren't any. Well there are, but you can count them on one hand.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Upgrading 150 2 stroke to 200 4 stroke, which is best

tazmnaz, don't know what experience you've had with OMC other than the 150 ficht of the worst possible year in production, but 99.9% of what OMC built was darn hard to beat in reliability. When BRP bought out the flailing OMC, things changed dramatically. I'm not sure there is an engine out there that would top even 50% of the catagories of testing in the E-Tec.
A 150 with a 4-in-1 Bob's Machine jackplate would give you the best over-all performance and economy you can get.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Upgrading 150 2 stroke to 200 4 stroke, which is best

Go for the E-tec

 

[tazmnaz]

Re: Upgrading 150 2 stroke to 200 4 stroke, which is best

My lund Tyee is rated for 200 hp. If I am upgrading, I would like to max performance. I notice the E-Tec 200 has a HO version. What differences would their be in performance and in fuel economy vs. the non HO? I think my boat specs a weight of about 1700 lbs.
I do have an old 35 evinrude that runs like a top, but the 1998 FICHT has just not been reliable, which is my dilema to go back. I like the idea of the 4 stroke dependability and quietness. How much louder is the E-Tec, than say a honda?

Thanks for the input so far.

P.S. I just did a search on Jack Plates. I am in Canada and cannot believe nobody at any of the dealers told me about this option. Does the jack plate do anything else other than ability to increase transom height? Are they fine for the larger motors?

 

[gss036]

Re: Upgrading 150 2 stroke to 200 4 stroke, which is best

Noise level is about the same or quieter. There 2 different models for E-Tec 200, on your boat go for the lighter engine.
Where are you at in Canada?

 

[josip_voyager]

Re: Upgrading 150 2 stroke to 200 4 stroke, which is best

Although the majority of the pople in this forum guide you towards direct injected two stroke engines, I would take more serious informations from european outboards forum (for example Italina or German), because there are no outboards manufacturer in Europe, so I think there you can find far less lobyst. In every test of outboards (from european marine magazines), 4-strokes especially from Suzuki and Honda wins.

My choice according to european magazines would be between Honda BF 150 VTEC (engine from Honda Accord Type S(port)), and Suzuki DF 150 or 175. All of them are 4 cilinders engines, the best in class (very very silent, no vibration, very fuel efficient...). Among 200 PS class, the choice would be among Suzuki DF 200-250, Honda BF 225 VTEC or Yamaha F 250.

Difference between DI two strokes (Mercury Optimax and Evinrude E-tec) and 4-strokes is not so big when you look at the numbers (sound in db, gph...), rather it's subjective (men like the sound and refinement of four strokes).

I had an opportunity, in last couple of years, to try the majority of outboards, so my opinion comes from my own experiance.

As the final argument, in europe 4-strokes holds almost 90% of the market share.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Upgrading 150 2 stroke to 200 4 stroke, which is best

Appreciate the input there but what if the weight is a factor. 4 strokes are significantly heavier that a 2 stroke equivalent as far as I know.

 

[ziemann]

Re: Upgrading 150 2 stroke to 200 4 stroke, which is best

To answer your question, the jack plate will be fine with that motor- but on a Lund Tyee, you really don't need it. Lund has the majority of the market here, and you never see a jack plate. I currently own a Lund Mr. Pike about a foot shorter than your Tyee...

Don't confuse the old OMC with BRP's E-Tec. The FICHT was the nail in the coffin for OMC and BRP has worked very hard to make sure the same doesn't occur with the E-Tec. E-Tec is the real deal and has been very reliable, powerful, quiet and fuel efficient. You happen to have bought a FICHT that was the worst of the bunch-but BRP's E-Tec really is a different animal....

Good Luck- let us know what you decide....

 

[tazmnaz]

Re: Upgrading 150 2 stroke to 200 4 stroke, which is best

Noise level is about the same or quieter. There 2 different models for E-Tec 200, on your boat go for the lighter engine.
Where are you at in Canada?

I am glad to hear the noise level is quiet, as well as the fuel level. I will now have to see the local dealers to see what I can get from them. I am looking at dumping mine this fall and getting one for spring delivery.
Not much boating smack dap in central Canada (Manitoba) during the winter.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Upgrading 150 2 stroke to 200 4 stroke, which is best

I'd stick with a 20" motor and the jackplate. That will give you a lot of adjustability.

The small block 200 E-Tec would obviously be the first choice. It's a 60* motor, similar in shape to what you have now. No other 200 is that light. You have all the advantages of the 60* motor and 200 hp.

If you insist on a 90* 200 the HO is a good choice. It comes with a Lightning gearcase. If your hull is a performance hull it should respond to the Lightning gearcase.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Upgrading 150 2 stroke to 200 4 stroke, which is best

I'd stick with a 20" motor and the jackplate. That will give you a lot of adjustability.

The small block 200 E-Tec would obviously be the first choice. It's a 60* motor, similar in shape to what you have now. No other 200 is that light. You have all the advantages of the 60* motor and 200 hp.

If you insist on a 90* 200 the HO is a good choice. It comes with a Lightning gearcase. If your hull is a performance hull it should respond to the Lightning gearcase.

This has been an interesting discussion and I appreciate it.

What are the relative advantages and disadvantages of 60 degree vs 90?

 

[tazmnaz]

Re: Upgrading 150 2 stroke to 200 4 stroke, which is best

This has been an interesting discussion and I appreciate it.

What are the relative advantages and disadvantages of 60 degree vs 90?

I agree. I see a difference of size and weight because of the make up, but would like to know practicality like reliability, performance, advantages and disadvantages to make an iformed decision.
Also in this case, the 60 is the largest in the series and the 90 is the smallest. Does that have any implications?

Thanks

 

[Cape Coder]

Re: Upgrading 150 2 stroke to 200 4 stroke, which is best

my buddy has an ETec and all he does is rave about it