Johnson & Evinrude Outboards

[Dean_Travis_Clarke]

Since Bombardier retooled ever part in every engine as well as every part in every manufacturing machine, the comapny claims that the engines have been elevated to near perfect. Ficht technology utilizes fewer moving parts than any other direct injection process. With all this in mind, if you were in the market for an outboard, would you consider a new Evinrude or Johnson?

[Dean_Travis_Clarke]

Do you mean that out of 40+ readers, not one has an opinion on JOhnson or Evinrude engines?

[mike_f.]

I have a number of outboards from OMC, Suzuki, and Merc. All of them pre-1996 carbed motors. All of them have been very reliable. I have a pair of Suzuki 150's on my 23'center console with 850 reliable hours. I got really exited about the direct injected motors when they came out but all of these horror stories have me shaking in my boots. The Suzuki's suck gas and I could really benefit as I'm sure we all can from the fuel savings. My recreational time is limited and I want my outboards to work. They cost a s@#tload of money and they should be reliable. I want DFI motors bad, but I'm going to have to keep polluting until they show improved reliability.

[BillH]

I have a 70 Hp Suzuki, the EFI port injected 4 stroke, and I like it a lot. Good fuel economy, fires instantly, hot or cold, and runs flawlessly. I have two buddies with two strokes, the Evinrude has been fixed twice, and isn't quite right, and the other is a Force. Lets say the Force is frequently down, leave it at that. My brother has a new Yamaha 50 4 stroke, carbed, and it is in for troubles already too. I like my multiport injected 70.

[sp1]

I have'nt been on this board for awhile.
My next outboard will be an Evinrude Ficht.
Bombardier is a great company,and I believe it's the best thing that could have happened to John/Rude.The new Fichts are so good that I would'nt even consider a 4 stroke.Actually, as you probably know,most of the old Fichts were trouble free too.

[Russell_Porter]

I am looking at 2 FishHawk Bay flats boats the 200 and the 220. with Either Johnson 150 or Evirude 200 FICTH.
They have a great price on these boats the only consideration is that the dealers are approx 1-3 hours drive and regualr services is a question.

[Jim_Gibson]

Our family has run OMC products since the late sixty's, but since I bought a 1986 Yamaha, it has never been in the shop except for P.M. and one carb rebuild because stupid didn't do his end of season maintenance. It is going to be hard for me to go back to OMC.

[Dean_Travis_Clarke]

Under the circumstances, I'd say that it's going to be impossible for you to ever go back to OMC. THe company no longer exists. Yamaha builds superb engines. But if ever confronted with not being able to get one, then I might consider one of the other manufacturers with a high level of confidence.

[Mike_Cole]

Barbardier did a lot of fixing and refinement to the original Ficht design and the engines are now almost perfect. Their performance is better than both Mercury and Yamaha and they now come with a 3 year warranty. My next motor will definetly be a Evinrude.

[E._R._Evans]

I understand the OMC people at the test facility told the brass NOT to release the ficht engines, because of problems.
They did it anyway and I don't consider that a real smart move. They have paid, but I guess I'll wait and see. I am convinced four stroke is the way to go.

[marty_murphy]

I own a 2000/ 200 ficht engine and thought I had done my research. ran great the first season(i put over 250 hours. Second season they had the recall for fire problem- the dealer took six weeks to get the parts for a two hour job- missed the major fishing time. It ran fine all last year. This year it wouldn't start on July 3- dealer had it until August 5- it needed a new ECU after three tripps of fixing other supposed problems. Ran fine until thanksgiving weekend when the check engine light came on and the motor, although not seized up, will not crank or resopnd. Had to have it towed ot to winterize. I paid $3000 extra for a 4 year extended warranty with DFS which I hope will cover whatever the problem is this time. Has anyone had similar problems with this motor? PS I live and fish on the south shore of Long Island, NY

[pJ]

I owned a 1998 175hp Johnson FICHT Ocean Runner, and had nothing but trouble since I bought the engine 2 years ago. I dont think I had 10 hours of trouble free running time. The engine was too complex, the parts way expensive, and the service difficult to get (most mechanics told me to get rid of it). Good luck Bombardier. I wish you well with the new engines, but FICT did not serve me well.

[Dean_Travis_Clarke]

No Description

[Mike]

I have two 2001 225hp Envinrude Ficht engines. Over the past year, the engines have run great. Only one minor repair. They run quiet and are very fuel effecient. I would strongly recommend.

[John]

I OWN A COUPLE OF 2001 150HP EVINRUDES AND WITH ONLY 130 HOURS ON THEM I HAVE CHANGED EVERY MAJOR PART ON BOTH ENGINES INCLUDING FUEL PUMPS, ECUS, AND LOWER UNIT. FROM WHERE I STAND THE ONLY GOOD THING THESE ENGINES HAVE ARE THE FITCH INJECTORS. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT WHAT BOMBARDIER HAS DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEMS OF EVINRUDE OUTBOARDS, BUT I RATHER GO WITH YAMAHA NEXT TIME (THEY NEVER FAILED ME FOR THE 1200 HURS I PUT ON THEM BEFORE CHANGING TO THE RUDES)

[george_fowler]

Looking to put 2 200hp motors on a new Ocean Master ]27']every other person says Yahama then Evinrude what choice show I make? 2stroke 4 stroke I'm fed up!!

[lyle]

The new johnson and evenrude motors are undelieable i have a 2002 johnson and it runs better than any other motor in its class. Also check out Bombardia's new evenrude etec motor they are going to be number one motor in world when released this spring

[Dan]

Owned a 115 Johnson Oceanrunner and had absolutely no problems and because of this seriously considered purchasing FICHT...then along came the problems and the buyout. After talking to quite a few service managers, I bought a 150 Yamaha HPDI instead. It's has been totally troublefree for two years and I'm glad I talked to the service departments.

Don't be mislead by a three year warranty- it doesn't necessarily relate to a more realiable unit. The factory is trying to lure lost customers back. Warranties make it easier on your wallet, but aren't real useful when you're 40 miles from shore.

[Tom]

From what I have read, some of the 2000 evenrude fichts are duds and some are fine. The question I am trying to find an answer to is how do you tell which one is which when buying a used boat.

Anybody have any clues?

[Jim_]

Today I asked this same question to a person that I consider the foremost outboard mechanic on the Chesapeake Bay, probably the world. 50 years experience on all types of outboard engines. He told me that the new Johnsons and Evinrudes are even better than the old ones and in his opinion are truly exceptional engines. I've had an Evinrude 100 for 24 years and it has been flawless - run 100s of hrs. every year. I'm considering a new boat with a 175 Johnson and that was all I needed to hear.

[Solomon]

I just gave my dealer $500.00 to guarantee that I will recieve the first Evinrude E-Tec 90 out his door.

I also have used a Johnson 70 horse for ten years with no problems. When I say use... I mean it. I live in a small village in western Alaska and there are no roads here, so we use boats and motors everyday. The river ice leaves in late April or early May and freezes up in early November. That motor has been "Bullet-Proof." I finally got tired of looking at it on the transom, so that is what makes me want tobuy the E-tec 90.

Happy Fishing all and enjoy your ride!

[W._Goff]

We have a 98 150 Ficht that has given use NOTHING but PROBS. Bad igniter pak 2-times, 1.5 lower units(2nd one is going now, won't go past 3200rpm, oil fine/no metal) and it sucks batts till they are dead. Pulled off EVERY electrical Item off Batt but motor and it has killed THREE BATTS. E-Rude guys think its the computer doing it. These early models are junk and are not fit to be used as an anchor even. The new ones "MAY" be okay but I will NEVER hang another of any of our boats again. I also understand Bombardi-ay is trying do get rid of OMC/Evinrude now, what does that say?? To me it says they made a BAD investment and want out of the junk product. Don't get me wrong, the classic Rudes were/are great. FICHT = F**KED....

[REMEDY]

I have been running Johnson's for years, the last being a V8 250 carb that served me well for the gas-oil hog it was. I now run a 2001 Evinrude 250 ficht RAM on a Seaswirl 26 that's entering its avg.hour third season. The mechanic recommended not putting plugs in before we de-winterized her in April. Recently I changed the plugs to a standard Autolite, not platinums. The old ones were toast. This change seem to correct the rough run-stalling but she continues to sputter and/or skip at low idle cruises (2300 RPMs). Some say run de-carb through the fuel and upgrade to the platinum type plugs. Other than this recent issue, the moter has been an awesome performer. Please advise as to how I should correct this "rough run" at low idle. Suggestions much appreciated.. REMEDY

[Chad_Palicke]

I purchased a new GW and a 1998 250HP Evinrude OceanPro which wasn't used until 1999. I've since sold the boat (but didn't want to but for the motor). In the 4 short seasons I've owned this junk, I've gone thru 2 lower units, 1 main power pack, a stator, and a tiller roller. The new company did nothing to assist the old OMC customers therefore I'm going with Yamaha. Everyone I know with Yamahas swear by them. Good-bye Evinrude, it hasn't been fun.

[clayag]

A little late but for what it's worth. I have a 27' Boston Whaler and twin 200 Fichts year model 2000 and let me tell you it has been a wreck. with less than 400 hours on them, we have had them in the shop more than we have fished. We fish the south Texas gulf and bought new motors for dependability but so much for that. 40-90 miles offshore we have had to come in on one motor 4 times. Not to say the other short trips. We were to the point of a lawsuit and finally reached terms with Bombardier on some 2004's. We are going to give them a shot and see what happens. From the lastest reports and listening around the boat docks, I have heard nothing but good about the later models. For us, it is a family thing and I pray that these motors will be dependable.

[John]

my check engine alarm goes off when i go over 3500 rpm. any suggestions on what it could be?

[Ken]

1999 - 200 hp ficht.
1500 HOURS thus far no problems.
I use carbon free additive every 60 gallons of gas, ficht ram oil, and decarb every 100 hours.

[Ken]

1999 - 200 hp ficht.
1500 HOURS thus far no problems.
I use carbon free additive every 60 gallons of gas, ficht ram oil, and decarb every 100 hours.

[Rude_Attitude]

I have had my twin 2004 200 'Rudes for 150 hrs now. Woulddn't trade them for anything. Had Twin 1998 150 Optimax before and they were horrible. I burn 1/2 the fuel, 1/2 the oil, and get 18 mph more out of my 25' Mako. Getting a 29' SeaVee custom and it WILL have Etecs because BRP have a justified reputation for building reliable products.

[Vic_Clark]

I've owned my last Johnson /Evinrude product. I've purchased 3 (1)9.9h.p. & (2) 15h.p. four stroke outboards since 1996. All have broken down within the first 20 hours of use due to defective ignition modules. I have contacted OMC (when it was OMC) and Bombardier concerning this problem. OMC refused to acknowledge there was a problem at all. Since then Bombardier has admitted there was a defective design in the module and "their engineers have corrected the replacement module". However the replacement module costs the consumer $188.00 bucks and some change. Bombardier offers no concessions for owners of 99' and older models. Their response was "sorry". I was fortunate enough for at least one to fail in the first year and during the OMC ownership, so one was repaired under warranty. The second unit failed after 16 hours of use and the third after twelve. One happens to be a 99' model. Bombardier has no responsibilty for these products and offers no "breaks" for the owners. I have owned my last and my wife won't be getting the Ski-doo.

[Vic_Clark]

I've owned my last Johnson /Evinrude product. I've purchased 3 (1)9.9h.p. & (2) 15h.p. four stroke outboards since 1996. All have broken down within the first 20 hours of use due to defective ignition modules. I have contacted OMC (when it was OMC) and Bombardier concerning this problem. OMC refused to acknowledge there was a problem at all. Since then Bombardier has admitted there was a defective design in the module and "their engineers have corrected the replacement module". However the replacement module costs the consumer $188.00 bucks and some change. Bombardier offers no concessions for owners of 99' and older models. Their response was "sorry". I was fortunate enough for at least one to fail in the first year and during the OMC ownership, so one was repaired under warranty. The second unit failed after 16 hours of use and the third after twelve. One happens to be a 99' model. Bombardier has no responsibilty for these products and offers no "breaks" for the owners. I have owned my last and my wife won't be getting the Ski-doo.

[Vic_Clark]

I've owned my last Johnson /Evinrude product. I've purchased 3 (1)9.9h.p. & (2) 15h.p. four stroke outboards since 1996. All have broken down within the first 20 hours of use due to defective ignition modules. I have contacted OMC (when it was OMC) and Bombardier concerning this problem. OMC refused to acknowledge there was a problem at all. Since then Bombardier has admitted there was a defective design in the module and "their engineers have corrected the replacement module". However the replacement module costs the consumer $188.00 bucks and some change. Bombardier offers no concessions for owners of 99' and older models. Their response was "sorry". I was fortunate enough for at least one to fail in the first year and during the OMC ownership, so one was repaired under warranty. The second unit failed after 16 hours of use and the third after twelve. One happens to be a 99' model. Bombardier has no responsibilty for these products and offers no "breaks" for the owners. I have owned my last and my wife won't be getting the Ski-doo.

[Jose]

hellow friends; yamahas for me are the best, they can work all day long,the reason, you can find parts,every ware.jose puerto rico

[chris]

Any comments on the performance of the 2001 150hp rudes? Just purchased a new used boat and would like to know what to expect.