E-Tec or Standard outboard

[Pureblonde83]

Hi all,

I am looking to buy a new outboard for my boat.
I have a 3.85 Explorer with a Evinrude 20hp 2-stroke that is getting up in age.

I would like to know if anyone has any ideas on what I should go with?
My options are an E-Tec 25hp or standard 25hp outboard.

Cheers,
Bec

[BaitThrower]

E-tec I would think if you have the extra money to spend on it?

[Noelm]

I think an E-tec may be getting up towards the weight limit for your boat, OH and you are still in the wrong section, needs to be in boating.

[Pureblonde83]

yes I realise that now - sorry still getting used to using ausfish.

[ozbee]

as long as your not lifting the motor on or off go etec or fourstroke of your choice.

[Mindi]

oh cool....an ETEC thread....just in time with the demise of the F***er "discussion"...OK lets go team..!

[siegfried]

Forget the E-bomb 25 4stk any brand ,theyre all good these days....or std 2stk

[TheRealAndy]

I saw another ETEC broken down yesteday. Lucky the guy had 2 pinned onto the back :P

[whatscracken]

If it was me I'd run a Yamaha two stroke 25hp

[black runner]

How important is updating to a low emission outboard to you?

cheers

[casey]

I agree with whatscraken

25 yamaha 2 banger, My mate has one on his 4.1 brooker and that thing hammers.

casey

[stevej]

guy selling a second hand forward control 25hp on www.wsbb.com.au (http://www.wsbb.com.au)

but 5-6k new versus 2500 for cheap 2 stroke like a tohatsu

[joey_1987]

A few things to consider..how much use will it get? Appreciate that a 25hp E-tec/4 stroke will weigh quite a bit more than a light 25hp 2 stroke. Also initial cost is to consider, 25hp Tohatsu is probably the cheapest and as good if not better than the other 25hp 2 strokes in terms of performance/reliability, only drawback is it idles a bit rough. I doubt you'd see any fuel savings relative to the initial cost difference and then the ongoing servicing cost-mind you e-tec's are hyped at being service free for so long. Servicing on say a Tohatsu 25hp will always be cheaper than an e-tec or 4 stroke. You need to weigh up the real key things-the money difference versus say a quieter engine which uses a tiny bit less fuel. The e-tec 30hp (uptuned 25hp) is reviewed here http://boatpoint.com.au/engine-reviews/2009/evinrude-etec-30-15131. The site also has reviews on the tohatsu/mercury 25hp/30hp 4 stroke EFI and the tohatsu/mercury 25hp/30hp 2 stroke (the one i was talking about above) it's the LW model. Weigh up the cost/benefits of each and figure out which will best suit you so you can be satisfied with it. Don't forget that dealer support also is important, but while tohatsu don't have a huge dealer network, their 25hp 2 stroke can be serviced by anyone as it's so simple. Goodluck with your choice.

[Bear001]

As stated above, depends on what type of use?

Without getting into the slang match that goes on about brands (which never helps the original question) I have an ETEC (40hp on 4m hornet trophy side console) and think it is much quiter and more efficient than my old mercury - but saying that, there was a bit of difference in yr models.

If you are trolling - I like the set up of the Yamaha tiller steers. They have all the controls down on the handle - if I had tiller steer, I would go that way.

As stated above, weight of the motor will be the first deciding factor - 4stroke or even an ETEC might blow that out.

Read the reviews Joey posted above and consider the type of work your motor will do. eg lots of hours slow idle or mainly only for getting from A to B? Warranty and servicing might be a factor too?

Good luck.