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Help w/ engine choice - F200, E-tec 200, Honda 200??
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Help w/ engine choice - F200, E-tec 200, Honda 200??
Hi all - in the next few months (over the winter), I'm going to replace the evil smoky 1995 Johnson 300HP V8 outboards on my 27' Whaler with new engines.
I'm looking at (primarily) the Yamaha/Merc F200, Evinrude E-tec 200, or the Honda 200's. I'd consider the Suzuki or another brand if there's a very good reason, but easy access to parts and service are key for me, so the big guys are really where I'm focused. Dealers are all local and well-thought-of.
Your thoughts about the best bet among these? I've had FICHT's before, and mine were great - very little gas or oil used, quiet, and powerful as heck. I love the (potential) durability of the four-strokes, but find that replacing even minor parts on the Yamaha/Hondas is amazingly expensive. OTOH, the Yammies and Honda's have a great rep for not needing parts very often.
I'd like to be able to do as much work as possible myself, and the minimal scheduled maintenance of the E-tec's really appeals to me, as does not needing to change oil.
Verados are right out - I just don't think small displacement and supercharging is a recipie for long-lasting engines. Merc may prove me wrong, but I ain't buying one.
Anyhow, your advice/thoughts appreciated.
does anyone know if the E-tecs will fit the bolt pattern for the older OMC engines? Not having to re-do the transom holes could make the decision for me...
there have been very few, if any, negative comments re the suzuki 250 4-strokes...i'd at least consider them. who needs a dealer if they don't break?
I'm gonna echo this comment. I owned 2 Suzuki V-6's (on different boats) and couldn't break them. I say buy the Suzy and don't worry about the parts. You won't need any.
What`s that baby run with those 300`s on it?If I were you I would go for the ficht 250`s.boy those 300`s must be hell on the fuel bill!I would say those 250`s would get twice the mileage that your getting with the 300`s.
So the boat is a Whaler 27? I am running twin F200 Yamaha's on my Conquest 275 and they perform very well. I am not a 2-stroke fan with all the worry about carbon build up in motors and the lean running of the newer engines. If anything goes wrong in the direct injection world you could say bye bye to an engine. I would think you can't go wrong with the "any manufacturer your prefer/ Best deal" 4-stroke engines. I prefer the confidence of knowing the oil is in the engine no matter what and not relying on a oil injector to clog up or go lean.
I am about to do an oil change on my motors, and it is not a difficult thing to do. It is less of a mess for me than trying to pour oil in the two stroke boats I have had in the past. I hate the awkward position of pouring oil on the back deck and you can't tell when those oil tanks fill up thus over filling on to the deck.
If you choose the Evinrude 200 E-TEC or the 4 stroke Johnson 200 (Suzuki built) you can use the same controls and the gauges that you already have. You will have to add either a tach with the 4 warning lites or a 2" gauge with the warning lites along with a wiring harness adapter.
If you choose any other brand, you will have to pay to have all your present rigging, gauges, and controls removed and the dash modified for the other brand control box, wiring harnesses, key switches, etc.
First, isn't that going to be a big step down from a 300 to a 200 ? Why not look at 250 ?
Second, I go with seahorse. You've had Ficht before and the new E-TEC are even better. You will save a TON of money on oil and gas compared to that old V8 That plus the money you save on not re-rigging will pay for those extra 50 horses
tully_mars - 7/6/2004 12:33 PM I am not a 2-stroke fan with all the worry about carbon build up in motors ...
For the record, carbon is a by-product of the combustion process, only aggravated as of late by the poor quality fuels we have. Sure, probably more carbon is generated in a 2-stroke OB, but IMHO you are fooling yourself if you think that 4-stroke engine in a car, outboard, or what have you ... doesn't build up carbon.
FWIW I give every combustion engine I own the seasonal Seafoam treatment. My 2-strokes get it every 50 hours ala the "Dunk method". You should see the neighborood when I decarb my fuel-injected V6 SUV ! I just pull a vacuum line, put it into the can and let it injest 1/3rd, then rn it a minute @ high idle, then shutoff and let sit for 15 minutes, and repeat. The white smoke plume generated emitted kills all the mosquitos in the entire area .
But truthfully, I great better gas mileage and performance from that SUV than my friends with the same vehicle/engine combo. A clean engine is a happy engine .
__________________ [red]MISS TEAK[/red], 25' Parker mod-V Sport Cabin "Life's too short to own an ugly boat ..." www.classicparker.com
there have been very few, if any, negative comments re the suzuki 250 4-strokes...i'd at least consider them. who needs a dealer if they don't break?
The Suzuki's seem to be the motors of choice I have yet to find anyone that has a beef. With as many new boats getting them you would think you could find a few that wouldnt be happy. Looks like anyone can rig them not the case with some other motors lots of recalls poor rigging weak power. The test proved in PM mag the Suzuki's are better in speed & fuel burn. This is an easy choice.
Help w/ engine choice - F200, E-tec 200, Honda 200?? 
