etec 150 vs optimax 150

[reyb]

Thanks Ferm. Do you have an opinion on the DF140...reliability and out-of-warranty? If I could get a 200mile range with the Yamaha 150txr, then I think I could be happy with that; I have a 60gal fuel tank.

[THEFERMANATOR]

The 140 SUZUKI is a great engine as well. It isn't regarded as powerful though for a 140 as it is the same basic engine as the 90 and 115HP. Still more than enough for a V-20 as RM is very happy with his and says he gets about 5 MPG out of it. The YAMAHA 150 carbed 2 stroke is a pretty much legendary engine like that of the 150 JOHNNY-RUDES from the 90's. It is actually decent on fuel for a carbed 2 stroke and is about as reliable as one can be. Also it is a low maintence engine that is easy to work on.

[spareparts]

as far as parts for the opti vs the e-tec once its out of waranty, there are some aftermarket stuff available for the Opti power head, I'm not aware of anything available for the e-tec. I'm still a little scared of the e-tec, although they are great performing engines and are earing a good reputation. If it were me(and I didn't work on boats for a living) and it was between the opti and e-tec, I'd make my decision on my local dealers, which one and how many of them are going to take care of my motor when I need it done, and do a good job. It changes from area to area, around here, ther are 10-12 dealers and shops that do good work on Yamahas, 5-6 that do good work on Merc's, Two that work on e-tecs. I know where I'll have a better choice of service adn parts when(if) I need it. I still think the 150 Yamaha 2 stroke is the way to go. the Suzukis don't have the good rep they once held in this area(corrosion and high parts price), but they are good running engines. I'd check out some boat manufactures, if there are any sitting on loose motors, they would probably make you a deal.

BTW, be carefull of the NOS engines when titleing. SC requires a title on the engine. All the motor manufactures have stopped using a year model designation and only using a serial number and model number to distinguish them, it was supposed to keep dealers from having to sell new engines as non current inventory. Some dealers are selling older motors as NOS, but giving them current year title when sold(in service date), the year model is still set by the production date(day it was assembled), not by the manufactures "year model" or series. The epa sets the year model for certification on emisions. Titleing an older motor as current can get a dealer in a bunch of trouble from falsifying a title to violation of epa laws. Giving an older motor a new title can effect the loan value and be cosidered fraud by the banks. If the production date is 09, then its an 09, if the production date is 06, and its being sold as an 09, then it fraud. this is new teritory for the dealers and a lot of them are not intentionally doing wrong, they just don't know any different

[reyb]

I wouldnt' mind going the Yamaha 150 2-stroke route, but I'm just concerned at the range I'll have. If this motor gets 2.5mpg(which I have no idea what real life numbers it gets), then I'll have a range of about 150 miles(60gals). The other motors are getting something like 4mpg, so that'll put the range at 240 miles. I know with my old '88 150 Black Max, I went out 30 miles, cruised around a bit looking for fish, then headed on in with just a slight detour(may be 10 miles total). Total miles was approx. 80 miles+/-. Imo, I didn't do a lot of cruising/fishing. When I got to the dock I had less than 1/4 tank left. May be the Black Max was old and tired and that's why it used a lot of fuel.

Just search for trained service dealers and here's what I found:

2 Evinrude

2 Yamaha

12 Mercury

[spareparts]

I'm not a big fan of them, but have you priced a verado?

[reyb]

Originally Posted by spareparts

I'm not a big fan of them, but have you priced a verado?

Spares your title here is "God" so if you're not a big fan of them then I won't be either :) I believe the Verado is more expensive and heavier so I didn't consider it.

[bigshrimpin]

Originally Posted by reyb

I wouldnt' mind going the Yamaha 150 2-stroke route, but I'm just concerned at the range I'll have. If this motor gets 2.5mpg(which I have no idea what real life numbers it gets), then I'll have a range of about 150 miles(60gals). The other motors are getting something like 4mpg, so that'll put the range at 240 miles. I know with my old '88 150 Black Max, I went out 30 miles, cruised around a bit looking for fish, then headed on in with just a slight detour(may be 10 miles total). Total miles was approx. 80 miles+/-. Imo, I didn't do a lot of cruising/fishing. When I got to the dock I had less than 1/4 tank left. May be the Black Max was old and tired and that's why it used a lot of fuel.

Just search for trained service dealers and here's what I found:

2 Evinrude

2 Yamaha

12 Mercury

how the heck do you get such bad fuel economy with that merc?


http://www.wellcraftv20.com/communit...ead.php?t=7411

We went 80 miles recently in MJ's 23 seaox with a hardtop + 200lbs of cod (1985 2.4L merc 175) turning 4500 - 5000rpm (trying to keep up with his buddies 23 contender) and only burned 30 gallons.

[Genie Aye]

I will throw in my .02 here.

I have a E-Tec 200HO on my V-20--running out in the Pacific ocean--NW--I average around 3.5 MPG with a heavy load and big current and seas. I have run over 200 miles on 54 gallons. This is my second year with this motor and my review is----AWESOME running motor. I have had different brand motors over the last40 years--this is by far the best so far. Now I imagine with a 150 E-Tec you should be able to get 5mpg if you run itin the sweet spot. The new tach does have a built in flo scan for monitoring your fuel burn along with other items that are way past due on outboards--temps on everything, even the lower end and fuel pressure, water pressure,water temp, engine temp and more.

I would not want the extra weight of the 4 stroker on the back of mine (of course I could have gone smaller on the motor size). I also really like the winterization feature of the E-Tec--takes about 3 minutes to store for the winter.

[randlemanboater]

Originally Posted by Genie Aye

I will throw in my .02 here.


I would not want the extra weight of the 4 stroker on the back of mine (of course I could have gone smaller on the motor size). I also really like the winterization feature of the E-Tec--takes about 3 minutes to store for the winter.

ETEC 200 HO dry weight 524
DF140 dry weight 421

My "winterizing" takes as long as pouring Stabil in the last tank of the season.....its worked fine so far, since 03.

Of course the ETEC will absolutly smoke my little 140, but I get 5 mpg.....its all a trade off.

I don't have to pour oil in a reservoir, but I have to change my oil.

You won't be unhappy with a DF140 though, I love mine.

[Airslot]

Hey, that's my boat. I'm running a 225 Opti (99) on a proline 231 now and love it.

The pic below is from my 87 V20 running an 88' Merc 150 2.0l Blackmax.

Originally Posted by bigshrimpin

how the heck do you get such bad fuel economy with that merc?


http://www.wellcraftv20.com/communit...ead.php?t=7411

We went 80 miles recently in MJ's 23 seaox with a hardtop + 200lbs of cod (1985 2.4L merc 175) turning 4500 - 5000rpm (trying to keep up with his buddies 23 contender) and only burned 30 gallons.