[tom tuzza]

I have owned two Yamaha outboards and recently I purchased a 90 HP Etec and so far I have found it to be quiet and very cost efficient to run. I did notice it used some oil but it started using less and less oil after 20 hours. So far I have 75 hours on the engine and it runs great. My yamahas cost me a small fortune after 50 hours and that does not include changing out fuel injectors on my last yamaha. I don't know of any 4 stroke engines that give you a 5 yr warranty (that what they gave me). Also I'm getting 7+ miles per gallon operating between 3500 & 4000 RPM's with a 20 ft Sundancer.

[welddog]

I am a somewhat recent convert to 4 strokes, twin Yamahas, and I am absolutely in love with them. Prior to this I have owned nothing but Yamaha two strokes and in fact I still own an 84 150 HP that runs as well today as the day I bought it, maybe better. So, I spent around six months focused on new Yamaha 2 strokers, but also researching other motors and technologies, including E -Tech, before making my recent purchase.

Admittedly, my first time on the water with the new 4 strokes I did sense a somewhat notable difference in the low end torgue, when compared to my experience with 2 strokes, (at least in my head) but the throttle response and power curve on the way up was as smooth as glass. They are quiet beyond belief. So much so, if you do a warm up start in the morning before heading out, be carefull not to attempt to restart an engine that's already running. They really are that quiet at idle, I've done it twice not proud of it, but very easy to do. Even at cruising speed in 3 to 4 Ft. seas it is amazing how easy it is to have a conversation with a passenger. As for maintenance, there are alot of very good products out there, but don't get sucked into the no or low requirement claims. All motors are all still mechanical devices and as such all subject to failure...at anytime. Although The manufacuring process for building outboards has greatly improved over the years, but as always a little prevention will forever help. Remember my "84" Yami, I still treat it as if new.

In the end remember most everything you read in these posts are opinions and this was mine. Determine your needs, make a decission and go with what you're comfortable with. As I said, there are alot of good motors out there and it is doubtful you will end unhappy anyway you decide to go. Good luck

[battaup09]

I own a 2005 hydra-sports with a 250 e-tec on it and can honestly say its a better motor that the yamaha f250 four stroke. My friend at my marine has the same boat as mine with the f250 and we decided to test it, with the same fuel levels the e-tec got 14% better feul economy, was 9 dbs quieter, and was 300 rpm less than the yamaha at 27 mph. time to plane was 4 seconds better with the e-tec. although things i admit are better on the yamaha are that the throttle is much more comfortable, and it is slightly quieter at idle.

overall though the e-tec is better and simpler technology, and dont forget it has significant less mantinence so that will translate into less money spent mantaining the engine.

[superhammer]

Hey guys,
I am from south africa and if you see what we do with our boats here you will be the first to say that no boat is desined to do what we do with them. I saw one of the other members mention that "even running in 3-4' ft seas" his engines are good. These kind of seas by us are considered flat days and the sea is full of boats.

We launch off the beach through surf conditions where the wave height can be up to 10ft and we use boats that are generally 19' in length. We also very often get caught in gale force winds where the sea can build to 15ft with swells that are breaking.

What I am trying to get to is if I am in the surf facing a 3 meter wave I want a lightweight powerful engine that will get me the hell out of there real fast and is reliable to get me home.

The only choice is an Evinrude e-tec.

Car engines belong on the road,not out at sea.
By the way I have friends that have over 5000 hours on there e-tecs with no problems,I dont say it will never break but the odds are definitely in your favour with an e-tec.

[Nickjt]

I have alot of experience with motors of all kinds, i can tell you many things about 4 stroke, and alot of bad things about them, and i can tell you alot about 2 stokes and alot of bad stuff, a 2stroke is alot lighter then a 4stroke, alot of people dont no what 2stroke stand for, a simple way to look at it is, you get 1 power stroke out of every 2 strokes from a 2stroke, this provides more power. with 4 stroke you get 1 power stroke every 4th stroke. this leads to less power.
as for life. the 4 stroke will get alot more life, because of a fue things. it runs at less RPM. Runs at lower temp's.
as for reliability, 2stroke you will have more maintenance on them, as for sparkplugs. 4stroke, you have to change your oil, and must change plugs now and then. I run a 225 merc 4stroke, shes big.. my last boat was a hughs flats boat with a 150 yam, 2 stroke. i got about 6 years out of the motor. I used that boat every week. some times 4-6 days a week.

Now that my usless babble is done with, The E-tec is a amazing motor, it is 5 star rated. and yes my next boat buy will for sure be a E-tec. for its light weight, and power. Just take it easy, dont beat up on it. and run it at low RPM, you will find your self very happy with a E-Tec.

[Mgordash]

I put a 100 hours on my 115 etec and it is light, quiet, and burns very little oil good on gass. It requires no service for 300 hours. Also 3 year warranty. Im very happy with it. I don't know if you will get the same with other manufactures. Just stay away from Merc's! Martin

[Donald]

I have a 90 etec wot is 5400 rpm if your friend is turning 6000 he needs it in the shop or is using the wrong prop, he will tear it up...weight is alot on a motor, 4stroke to 2 stroke is almost another person, being 2 stroke is lighter..

[rsand]

I was just talking to a fellow fisherman on Lake Ontario who was in the process of having his second e-tec 115 hp rebuilt.

Engines had 400 and 500 hours on them respectively with each going down for the same problem. Didn't pay much attention to the part that failed as I was very surprised after what I had heard and seem from promotional information.

As the motors were only 2 years old (he spends alot of time on the water) I thought warranty would cover it but it seems that 3 years (or 300 hours) is the key.

If you go with the e-tec and plan on working them lots, I would certainly go for the extended warranty.

Have you seen the video where the e-tech sinks the Yamaha 4 stroke.

Love the forum.

[Big Bertha]

I still prefer 2 stroke engine. Less weight, less moving parts, easier servicable and with the outcome of direct injection, 2 strokes no longer waste gas thur the exhaust ports. Higher torque values and quicker acceleration. Taint the Bible, just my opinion. For what it is worth, the Four-Strokes usually have prettier decals on the engine couling.