What size ETEC?
 

I've decided to bite the bullet and retire the old 225 Evinrude. I've talked to few on here and read countless posts that a 150 is a good match for the V20. Being somewhat old school I looked at the left over carbed 2-stroke 150 yamahas and found that after it's all said and done I might as well buy an etec 150 and get a lot better mileage. Since I'm gonna break the bank on a new engine I've decided I'm gonna fix up the rest of the V to match. Part of this includes adding extended fuel capacity in the form of Reel's fuel tank/seat boxes which hold 39 gallons each. According to my calculations this will add approximately 550+/- lbs in fuel weight. Is a 150 with the right prop still a good match or would I be working the engine too much. I wouldn't always be hauling a full load of fuel, and it's usually just me and the wifey and rarely maybe 1 or 2 others. I don't need any crazy top speed, and always thought my 225 was overkill for the boat. I just want her to plane out nicely and get good fuel range. Any input from my imaginary friends here at Wellcraft V20 is always appreciated.

Well your 85 has a 60 gallon tank to start with, and a ETEC should get you roughly 3 MPG. That gets you roughly 150-180 miles of useable range right there. I would go for the 175 if I could afford it. The 150-200 small blocks are all the same basic engine size and weight within a few pounds. The 200 small block carries a bigger price tag, but I don't think the 175 is much more than the 150. Also bear in mind that then newer engines are heavier. Your old 225 weighed in around 450-475 pounds, and the new small block ETECS weigh in at 420 or there abouts. So you won't be losing much weight. Also if you do much trolling I would give some serious thought to the 4 stroke SUZUKI. And don't count out the OPTIMAX either as I believe it wins the fuel economy competition hands down amongst any of the new outboards. It is the loudest of them, but also I believe it is the most affordable. just remember that no matter which one you go with, you will be replacing pretty much all of your rigging anyways. I would pick a 175HP and go with the brand that will have the best dealer support for you locally.

I agreed with Ferm, The extra HP can be handy if you have extra weight and fast moving storm on your tail...
I have an E-Expensive trust fund going, I have my eyes firmly set on a 200 HP with the Bells and whistles ..

yepper
 

If yami had a 175, I would have bought that. Don't get me wrong, the 150 pushes the boat fine. But the extra horses would keep the engine from workin hard. Either way, Your gonna love that new engine smell.

I just priced those engines...the 175 is definately the most "bang for the buck"...:beer:

http://www.evinrude.com/Content/Pdf/...orts/PE684.pdf

This should give you a close guestimation of performance and fuel burn of a 175HP ETEC on the V-20 as the DUSKY 203 is built off of the V-20 mold for the most part.

I do like that 175 ETEC!
bradford, you got a 20 or 25"?

Either way, think about the possibility of having a fixed or hydraulic jack plate also.

When I bought my 200 I was really interested in the 175 but he didn't have any in stock so I opted for the 200 and I'm glad I did.
It has awesome get up and go , when I'm lite on fuel and in the boat by myself and its calm I get it wot and trim it up it gets a little squirrely and I like it:sun:

We heard that about you Chris

I've got a 25" transom and I've thought about a jack plate too, it's only money right? I'm probably gonna put one on the McKee anyway.

Engine man left me a message while I was out and quoted a price of $2000:nut: more for the 175 over the 150. Sounds high to me, what do ya'll think? :head: Of course thats an over the phone answering machine price, not a "I'm sitting in his office at the end of the month with a stack of twenty dollar bills" price. For that kind of money I'll install just one of reel's seatboxes buy a 150 and spend the extra towards an Eddie Boykin half tower. :sun:

Bradford, I tried to send a pm, did you get it, OVER.

Thats a roger...... check your pms...... Standing by................over.....

Sounds like some PLOTTIN' goin' on... :sun:

Bradford...the numbers my dealer gave me put the 175 less than $900 over the 150...THEN it took a 2 grand bump to the 200

200 for $13500. I know these guys if you are interested

http://charleston.craigslist.org/boa/1639174136.html

Aren't YOU the little temptress this morning!!...that's a steal according to the numbers I got!!...wish I could, but Bradford, you oughtta take a look see!!...:sun:

How about a 250 under 12k ?
http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/boa/1639884049.html
However you should consider a Local Dealer in your area since the annual service on this must be done by a PRO if not you will void the warranty..

How about a 300HP E-tec for 16,000--found a brand new one for that in Oregon. That will move the boat well----LOL:beer:

Well, have you made any decisions, commitments, money dumps???
I's just gots ta know!

Still shopping Tsubaki, got a couple of irons in the fire. The 150 etec is still way more than I'd ever thought I'd spend. Just trying to get the overall best deal including price, dealer support, setup, warranty etc.

Theres still quite a few 04 200-250 HP BRP engines out there for around $4-5K with another year of warranty still left on them. They are the same basic engine as the ETEC, but not badged as one so the price is alot less.

What is the main difference Ferm?

The first ETECS have a slighly different injector to them mainly. There was the early FICHTS of 98-99, then 00 had some changes, 01 went to the bigger displacement engine, mid year 02 they went to BRP and they improved the quality control DRAMATICALLY, then by 03+ they are said to be good engines. The ETEC's actually don't get as good of econonmy as the earlier RAM INJECTED engines did as they made some injector and cylinder head changes to quieten them down that cost some economy. The late FICHTS were actually about the best on fuel of any of the DFI engines, even right there with the OPTIMAX that now rules the roost of economy. ETEC is pretty much just a marketing name for the most part from what I found. BRP came up with a catchy name sort of like FICHT was before engines started blowing up.

Well after talking to several people, owners, mechanics, and shyster salesmen, and driving to look at a few used deals still under warranty, I've landed a deal on a 2010 150 Evinrude ETEC. Being that I'm a real cheap *** I kinda can't believe I would throw that much money down the black hole. Dragging the ol' girl up to Custom Marine in Statesboro today. I'll keep ya'll posted.

What's your plans for your old one?

gotta be playing this on the way there:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPdcjukAioI

Cool, very cool bradford!!

I want to sell it. It's got a BRAND NEW new stator, voltage regulator key switch; power pack and water pump a couple years ago. I'm having them mount it to a pallet. I'd like to sell it whole instead of parting it out. I've thought about keeping the controls for the McKee in case I find a good deal on a 50-70 hp Johnny Rude. The controls aren't a deal breaker for me though. If yer interested Ferm i'd rather sell it to you than someone I don't "know". Then again maybe I'm ASSuming you might be interested. LOL!!

I was waiting for someone to post that. LOL!! Hopefully I won't have the blues much longer!

The Allman Bros. are one of my alltime favorite bands. Blue Sky was playing on the radio in my truck while the wifey and me drove to our wedding on the beach when we lived in FL. Statesboro Blues was one of the songs we selected to have played at the reception. If I didn't have the "Statesboro Blues" I wouldn't have dropped out of college and she and I would have never met and both our lives would have been drastically different for the worse. Funny how God works things out.

There is more to the E-Tec than just new injectors and port changes--the moving parts and crank are different--material is number 1 difference--I have torn down the e-tec sleds and there is a difference--the materials are alot different and the mapping is much better than ever previously.

I want to see you run your 2 stroke with no oil without damage--You can with the E-Tec's for a limilted time(5 hours at slower speeds) and I can tell you that my E-tec uses ALOT less oil then my 225 saltwater series ever did.

Congrats on your new E-Tec!! Hope you got a great buy--now is the time--I bought a new one 3 months before the economy tanked--and it hurt the difference I could buy it for now.

You will like it--and make sure you get the new multi function tach--it is sweet!!

Talked to them today. They are gonna finish rigging it today and have it dialed in tomorrow. You mean I'm gonna have to figure out how to upload pictures? The one in my signature I had to get MJ to do for me! LOL!!!

Oh and they did have jack plates on the shelf too!!

I'm sure they do, can't believe I spent the money I already did though, so no jack plate for me. Engine is rigged and dialed in, just waiting on a prop from the UPS man. Probably tomorrow.

Picked her up Saturday morning. Ran her in a test tank at custom marine and what a difference! Sounds almost like a car starting up. Looks beautiful on the back of the V20 too,:love: almost space age. Definently the nicest, prettiest boat motor I've ever owned. I'm booked solid for the next few days so maybe I'll get her out towards the middle of the week. Gonna get the brother in law to help me figure out the digitial camera upload stuff cause I know Tsubaki and a few others will find me and give me a beating:bat: if I don't post up any pictures LOL!!!

Congrats Bradford.

You'll love it!!!:clap::clap::beer::beer::beer:

Congrats, you will be looking mighty sporting tooling around with that engine.

Cool. I have seen that motor running. Very strong. Congrats:clap:

Now for the big splash.

Sorry it's been a while, been totally booked the last few weeks.

I've run the boat twice now with the new engine. Zero buyer remorse! I can't believe how quiet it is when running. It idles at 500 rpms! It planes off better than the old 225 due in part to the 14 1/4" X 17" stainless prop. I was running a 14 1/2 X 19 stainless on the 225. I haven't topped her out and kinda never want to after blowing the 225, but she runs 36 mph @ 4400 rpms and will hold a plane while plowing through stacked up 3 footers at the mouth of the Savannah river on an outgoing tide @ 3300. She shifts smooth like a car and has no vibration. I haven't done a scientific fuel use test yet, but it definantly does A LOT better than my previous set up. I did my usual circuit on 6 1/2 gallons which would have taken 18+ with the 225. I'm glad I went with the 150. It has plenty of get up and go and feels like a better match than the old 225.
:beer:

See now that's what I wanna hear!
Happier than having a sexy girlfriend that cooks, cleans and makes money?
Well I am for ya!






(uh not the girlfriend, just happy for ya)