[willy]

That would be the thinking Ferm, well put.
I had the oppurtunity to buy an aluminum boat with the Etec and one with the Yamaha 4stroker on it. I went with the boat with the Yammie for a couple of reasons. Mostly the boat itself was more in line with what I wanted.
I think that is what will determine which sells more for a lot, what engine the boat company installs on their boats.
But I think after talking with fellows that own and run both that in the long run the 4strokes will end up being the preferred for the same reasons that it happened with motorcycles. I had both and there wasn't a comparison in the long haul. I have friends now that have over 100 thousand miles on the 80's Kawasakis etc. And the guys with the older BMW's are still running original engines from the 60's and 70's and will be running when I am in the ground.
The two strokes make power on each stroke and are lighter and less complicated, at least they were, nowadays to compete with the four's that has changed a bunch.
So Stinky you are right in one way, a fair comparison would be to run it against a Merc Opti-Max. You would have seen two engines running until the rope or cleats broke. And fuel economy wise the Merc is supposed to be better, but I still love the look of the Etec.
My motor arrived yesterday for my G3 and I was there when they mounted it and hooked it all up. First turn of the key vroom, and just like its automotive brethren it purred almost silently, and I have very little doubt that that little 60hp Yamaha 4stroke will outlive my ability to run a boat on the water.
Blondes, brunettes or red heads, something for everybody, as Jimmy Stewart would tell you "it's a wonderfull life"
;)