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Hi Guys, Great site. I have a 29ft Century CC with twin Yamaha 250 OX66 engines on them. I have been happy with the performance but they absolutely drink fuel and oil. I am debating between the 250 e-tec's and the Yamaha f225 4-stroke. I think I am sold on the performance of the e-tec's vs. the 4-stroke but I was wondering if anyone knew what kind of fuel consumption I can expect from the 2. As long as it is close, I want the e-tecs. But I don't want to be wishing I had the 4 strokes in 6 months after mine and my friends wallets are empty from filling up the boat. Also how much better fuel economy should I expect from either one vs. my old OX66's. Thanks for any and all help!!!
I think one chart/capt said he thought e-tec
was getting 10-15% better than fict dfi
& is it safe to say dfi is 20- 25% better than efi
I'm sure things can very also
Over the years, whenever someone re-powered with an Evinrude FICHT engine to replace the same size traditional 2-stroke, they always said that fuel usage was cut in half, and they used about 1/3 less oil. Since the E-TEC is a bit better on economy and performs better than the FICHTs, it would be a safe bet to say you will see at least a very large savings in your gas bill. E-TEC oil use is also much better than FICHT, so you may even cut your usage in half, or even more if you use the XD-100 synthetic oil.
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*... personally possessing more tools than talent !
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I have heard nothing but wonderful things about the E-tech. That being said, it’s still a two stroke, Plain and simple. I know its probably the most advanced two stroke made, but I made a vow to never own another two stroke. Talk to your local outboard mechanic and ask him how many four strokes he’s had to repair with catastrophic failure and how many two strokes he’s had to repair. Most will tell you that the only maintenance they do on four strokes is an oil change and other routine stuff. As far as fuel consumption, I would guess they are about the same. That e-tech has been putting out some good numbers; however, you have to factor in the price of two-stroke oil. That stuff aint cheap, and really starts to add up. Personally I'd get the four stroke.
check out what it costs to service the 4 stroker. the $$$ is double. and they all have issues,4 or 2. personally, id take the hp and 7 years
How do you figure, labor costs the same per hour. And the only thing you ever need to do is replace the oil, which anyone can do them selves. Ask any outboard mechanic.
check out what it costs to service the 4 stroker. the $$$ is double.
Not sure i agree with that. It costs me about $35 to change the oil and filter in my Suzuki 225 four stroke. That's almost as much as it used to cost me to fill the old oil tank for my old Big Johnson. As stated before, that adds up pretty quickly. My fuel consumption also improved about 40% or so from the old carbed engine.
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fishcop.. yes labor costs same per hour. but according to our yammie mechanic ,the 4 stroker service costs double over hpdi. dont know why,it seems simple enough to change your own oil,but IMO for best warranty performance,i let him do all recommended services as required,so it is in the computer on record, so there is no questions asked if and when there is failure
Both will use significantly less fuel than your current power. I think that the fuel useage between the E-Tek and Yammi 4s is similar. The oil burned by the Etek might cost a bit more than oil changes on the 4s depending on hours.
Pick the repair shop that you have the most confidence in and use the engine that they service the most.
I would assume that the technicians have repaired more 2-strokes than 4-strokes. 2-strokes probably outnumber 4-strokes 100:1.
This is true, however the number of blown power heads, and other serious issues with two strokes highly outweigh the serious issues with four strokes again just ask your local mechanic. Eventhough the number of motors that are on the water are probably higher in the two stroke catagorey I would bet in the last couple years the four strokes have been outselling two strokes. I already said the e-tech is a great motor, but after several blown motors, I will never go with two stroke technology again.
Oh yeah and I think your ratio of 100:1 is probably off by just a little
You can buy a LOT of gas with the money that it costs to repower. If your old motors are still running dependably, it's difficult to justify doing a repower based on a financial analysis - most likely you'll never recover the $30K you spend for a repower on the resulting fuel savings.
On the other hand, if you would just like to move-up to newer, smoother, more quiet engines (and you got cash burning a hole in your pocket) - by all means, go for it.
Fishcop,
If you are blowing heads with a 2 stroke you will probably do the same with a 4 stroke. It's from poor maintenance/tune, etc. more than anything else.
Oil/filter changes, valve adjusting, timing belts....I've been running a 4 stroke for 9 yrs and 2 strokes for many more. My local dealer wants $300 to change oil, lower unit lube, adjust valves, timing, plugs and do a general "check" on the 4 stroke. My merc motor manual says to do it every 100hrs. Same mechanic wants $75 to do the "check" on my 20 more hp omc 2 stroke. That makes it $200+ more every 100hrs of use between the two and oil use makes up for some of the difference. The 4 stroke tuneup takes 1/2 day and I drop the boat off. The 2 stroke tuneup takes an hr and I wait. How much is your time worth hauling the boat around? 2 strokes smoke at trolling speeds and a there are a LOT of reports of 4 strokes "making water" in the oil when trolling. Take your chance and put your money down.
Ratios? There are probably 100,000 2 strokes for every 4 stroke. It isn't even close.
Hogfish, no offense but if you can change the oil on a four stroke yourself then you might want to get out of boating. Of course the routine check up on a four stroke is going to cost more with all the fluids, filter that have to be replaced. However, the two stoke will eventually need more than routine maintenance. I know several very accomplished captains and boaters who have had two strokes blow up even though the motor was very well maintained. They all now have four strokes with many of trouble free hours. I'm not bashing two strokes I'm just saying that I will never own another one. There is simply just too much that can go wrong. I also know several outboard mechanics that will tell you the same thing just ask around. Ever wonder why most outboard manufactures give you a longer warranty for your their strokes.
E-tec vs. Yamaha 4-stroke fuel economy 
I would not say my 4 stroke was completly trouble free 
