new motor fit out - what to look out for?

[Jeremy]

I have just bought a V146C Haines half cab and sold my Stessl centre console I have had for the past 11 years (funny watching it go down the street behind someone else's car!). It came with a 2003 75 hp two-stroke merc with 70 hours which I have also just sold.

My plan was to put a new 4 stroke, E-TEC or optimax on it, for quieter operation, save on petrol costs and longer range on the same fuel. My research so far is pointing me towards a 75 E-TEC. The figures I have found from searching Ausfish and BoatPoint is that I will get around 4km/litre from th 75 E-TEC which is about double what I would get from the 75 carburetted two-stroke. If anyone disagrees or wants to point me in a different direction, let me know. It is not too late.

I have had a few quotes for the supply and fit of the 75 E-TEC. All in the vicinity of 10-11,000. Some claim that their fit out is better than others. I would be prepared to drive to get a good deal and good result, but I am afraid I don't know what is a 'good result' - other than neat and tidy, holes in the transom sealed properly, fitted at correct height. There are about 10 Evinrude dealers in Brisbane.

Please spell it out for me. When comparing quotes annd claims, what makes a good fit-out result?

Thanks,
Jeremy

[Jeremy]

here is a couple of photos of the new rig. I plan to change/sell the bimini and the bait board shortly. Take up too much fishing space.

[FNQCairns]

Nice boat, lots of easy hours floating around left in her I am sure! Jeremy have you taken it for a run already? If you did, What did you think of the performance and weight on the transom? To keep the almost the same performance you need to go the optimax, the e-tec will not have the same punch but I believe they are lighter by a little??

cheers fnq

[Blackened]

G'day

Wow, we will see you coming!! Good old orange, and hence being a colored gelcoat, a correct color match when filling old holes will be first criteria

Dave

[Jeremy]

FNQ, I have been for a short run only. There seemed to be plenty of punch, but WOT top end speed was only 55 kmph. I think that is plenty, just that I thought it would have been more. The current 75 2-stroke is 138 kg, the E-TEC 75 is also 138 kg, but the 75 optimax would be 170 kg I believe from my research. Why would the 75 E-TEC have less punch than the current 2-stroke 75?

Dave, already several holes previously filled by other owner(s). All up, VGC and presents well and I would like to keep it that way.

Jeremy

[FNQCairns]

Jeremy the Merc/Mariner 75hp old tech engine is built around a 1.5L block, it's a torque monster, the Opti is built around the same block so same deal possibly just a little less performance.

The etec is a 1.2L I think ....not in the same league for performance but certainly OK.

55kph?, what RPM? was it GPS? think it is in the ball park possibly a little slow, if all is set up Ok atm, an e-tec will not pull as much.

cheers fnq

[Jeremy]

yes, 55 kmph on a GPS at 5300 RPM.

Jeremy

[FNQCairns]

yes, 55 kmph on a GPS at 5300 RPM.

Jeremy

There lies a little problem, it's over propped ATM you might pick up a few extra clicks may even touch near 60kph and a bit more punch with it if setup OK - expect a 50-52kph from of the e-tec well proped. Think disorderly gets 55kph out of his 90 e-tec on a stacer 5.25 (I think) but his is proped at 'ideal'.

I guess what I am saying is don't expect the same performance as it has now with a new e-tec. Also don't strictly expect better economy either from the e-tec over the opti, the opti will always run less propeller revolutions per nautical mile than the e-tec because it has the extra torque to pull it off.

The opti is the better engine on the water if the weight is not a problembut still the e-tec is a good engine too.
What about the new lighter zuks as another option??

cheers fnq

[ozbee]

l would keep the bait board but position it over the motor so when your at the back standing up it flush with you . advantages for trolling but also in slop fishing its something to grab.

[Noelm]

to answer your question on fitup, I guess almost all dealers will do a neat and tidy job (well they should) but some will make sure it is propped correctly with you at the controls, also mounting height can be fooled around with by a good dealer to make sure it is all at the optimum for performance, not just bolted up and left to you to sort out!

[Jeremy]

been doing some research. In addition to what Noel said, I have found some quotes include battery and there are also differences in the quality of the control cables.

I have now 'discovered' the TLDI 90 tohatsu. Very good power to weight and good reports including very good on fuel and competitively priced. Might be the way to go.

Jeremy