Evinrude E-Tech vs Honda 4 stroke?

[BeeGee]

Hey gang!
Buda Bluewater's dad is looking to repower his 27' Bayhawk. The goal here is increased fuel efficiency and bang for the buck.

He was all set to go with a Honda 225 4 stroke, when the dealer in Corpus offered up an awesome deal on an Evinrude E-tech 225 Hp including a 7 yr warranty. Most importantly, there is a promise of significantly better fuel economy than the Honda.

I am skeptical at best. It is a 2 stroke and will require oil too. We are requesting anyone's input with their recent research and or expertise ?

What would you do? Any other ideas? The boat currently has a 5 yr old Optimax 200 so anything will improve the fuel consumption, but we want to do this right!
BeeGee

[Too Tall]

I dont know about the fuel economy but if your search turns up little or no difference I would go with the Etec for the warranty. Honda-3yrs Etec-7yrs

[JOKERSWILD]

Did this thread get jacked up??......Honda is the way to go if you want to fish and time on the water ......... or 7yrs at the shop.....

[Redfishr]

omc is trying to get back what they lost.

[texasair]

How much are you getting quoted on those two motors?

[Too Tall]

texasair he posted the quotes on the bluewater board same thread name. Dont remeber the actual numbers sorry.

[Melon]

Believe the E-tec's have came a long way since this post started! lol

[POC Transplant]

omc is trying to get back what they lost.

They never lost it as far as I am concerned. Besides it is BRP now not OMC. That aside, I have a friend with a honda and they hate it. I have fished with him many times. They have poor acceleration and torque. They dont have near the power of other motors as far as I am concened. They are also the heaviest 4 stroke out there I believe. His 150 barely gets 4mpg and tops out barely over 30. That same boat with a direct injection motor will run at least 40 while getting as good or better milage. As far as your oil concern, that e tec will burn less oil than you would use in oil changes. That new synthetic that it runs is very clean and uses very little. I have a friend w/ a 90 hp etec that he has had on a shoalwater baby cat for over a year and he is still on his 2nd gallon of oil. Just like the gas, it sips it.

[RLwhaler]

I run Both E-tec and Honda's..There BOTH great motors.I'am sure if you choose either one,you'll be happy.

Poc transplant-Have you seen the NEW honda's lately?weight and torque is a whole lot better in the newer models.

RL

[Wading Mark]

They will get almost identical mileage. The Hondas will be slow because they are 4-strokes but they are durable.

[Mako232]

I would consider the maintennance as a factor. I keep my big boat in a lift and rarely put it on the trailer and would hate to have to do that just for an oil change.

[Piledriver]

lol, considering the date of the orginal post, it would be interesting to see which way he went and how it has turned out!

[thundertrout]

im thinking everyone wants know also.

[Shallow_Sport]

Last time I changed the oil in a 4 stroke I used my Liquivac vacuum tank. It's the greatest. It avoids the inevitable mess on the 15 hp Merc. 4 stroke where the oil drain is on the side. Just sucked out the 1 quart of oil, changed the filter, put in a new quart....DONE in less than 15 minutes.

I do concur that the E-tec sips oil and gas, at least the 115 does. The first couple hours the oil did get used somewhat quickly because of the break in oil it suppplies for the first 5 hours I think it is. Now the level has barely gone down in two fishing trips. It's hard for me to say with precision fuel mileage because I only keep about half a tank in the 43 gallon tank, but from the GPS miles I travel and the amount of gas I've "guessed" I've used by putting that much in the tank every time, I seem to average around 4.5 to 5.5 MPG. Seems like that is what most others get with this engine, and what several of Evinrudes reports confirm when tested on Dargels and Shallow Sports.