what should i expects- E-tecs

[jamesbalog]

Thinking about throwing a brand new motor on the back of my 1990 Center console. right now i have a 1990 johnson 175 on it. she runs about 42mph WOT and cruises nice between 27-30. Motor still runs fine but is an absolute gas hog.

i want to keep the price of a new motor as low as i can (cutting HP) yet still get performance. All i do on the boat is go fishing, i dont need the 40+WOT speeds if i can get the 27-30 im perfectly happy. Id like to save fuel too.

what kind of speed/ fuel consumption do you think i would get out of the following motors

E-Tec 175hp (price15,200)
e-tec 150 hp (price 13,500)
E-tec 130hp (price 11,700)
E-Tec 115hp ( price10,700)

do i need the bigger motors or could i get by on the smaller motors?


any and all opinions are appreciated

[spareparts]

[phatdaddy]

should be able to get one of the new merc 4 strokes 150, soup to nuts, for around $12,500.
be my choice

[jamesbalog]

I really dont want a 4 stroke motor... those prices i posted were just msrp i havent went and actually priced them yet

[bradford]

I'd wait til boat show season and try to swing a deal. Also try to get a deal with the extended warranty included.

I love my 150, but if I carried more passengers/gear I'd probably spring for a 200. Just because I like to haul *** sometimes.

I wouldn't go smaller than a 150. An extra thousand when you're already breaking out 10,000 is worth spending to be happy with it.

With mine I generally cruise at 4200-4400 rpms and travel about 31 mph. Have seen 45 mph once, cant remember the rpms, probably around 5400 or so. Uses about 1/3 the fuel of my old 225 looper. I run a 14 1/4 X 17 stainless Solas prop.

[echo1012]

I put a 2013 130 Etec on my 79 v20 and absolutely love it. I cruise at around 28-30 not WOT. The fuel consumption is very good. Most days out i use between 7-10 gal. my fishing grounds are about 7 miles away and once there i troll, drift and move around and return. The boat also pops right on plain in seconds. Highly recommend the Etec.

[Genie Aye]

I have the 200ho (3.3 litre) and really enjoy the economy and performance.. Comparing to my friends with comparable 4 strokes, I out run and out gun them with just slightly better economy.

I average in the 3.4mpg when running for tuna, loaded heavy with a tote of salt ice, 4 guys and equipment and 35 gallon bait tank and sea conditions generally suck heading out 50 miles and pretty good coming in.

No oil changes, valve adj and lots of weight as 4 strokes.

My .02---go with the 175. You can always use less throttle, but can not push down any more if it is not available.

plus you do not have to work the bigger engine as hard as a smaller hp engine.

PS--get the I command gauge and the fly by wire--they will both pay for themselves down the road.

[bgreene]

Why go new if you don't have to ?

Good sources such as ARG Marine in Florida often sells used, and they stand behind the motors. I bought from them years ago, and I'm very careful.

Anyway, 150 hp all around adaquate based on your description.

(Genie is a horsepower freak......... like me.......:) )

[spareparts]

just so you know, there are some deals to be had on Optimax motors right now, you will have to find a dealer that's willing to search a bit, but from what I've heard, mercury is blowing out some deals to get their 2 stroke inventory down. Make no mistake, four strokes are taking over the market, with ever increasing tighter emission standards coming, its only a mater of time before two strokes will be gone. If I were buying a new motor, the 200/150(four cylinder) Yamaha four stroke would be a the top of the list. The Mercury Opti's would be right beside it, maybe in front of it if the price was right.

[jamesbalog]

Thanks,

I will take a look at the Opti's as well. I really dont want a 4 stroke motor. Just seems like much more maintenance than i want to deal with.