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Random Quote: Aye Johnny, have you ever been lost at sea? No Cap'n, but I've been blown ashore many atime!
I'm repowering and need twin 200 or 225. The 225 HPDI isn't available in a 25 inch shaft. I've been a big Yamaha fan, but would consider the Etec. The prices I've seen have a pair of 200 Etec about $4,500 more than a pair of 200 HPDI from Ed’s Superstore. Anybody switch from HDPI to Etec?
Also, the 200 HPDI are small blocks and will save you a few pounds on the transom. You don't mention the boat you are buying, but the smaller boats that accept twin 200's may not accept big blocks.
I'm window shopping to replace my Mako and the first thing I ask is if the boat is avalable with small block HPDI's.
By the way, I have never heard of the HPDI 225, only 250 and 300. Those are other animals, and if you are a THT fan you know these have problems. The 225 is 4 cycle, great engine, but heavy and soft on power, the choice here is the 250. However, to me, only the bigger and heavier boats need 2 big blocks.
Don't change, there is no technical reason to do so, and you will also save $4,500. That is a lot of money that you can use in fuel, oil and beer. Have fun.
The HPDI 200 is a proven winner. Why take a chance on a new motor in September? One thing you'll see consistently hear is most of the time the problems come from new, unproven technology, not technology that's already been a winner.
Sea draggin can you explain why you feel a four stroke is better choice than the HPDI you have. Hardly anyone complains about the HPDI. Boating Mag did a comparison a few months back between the 150 HPDI against the 150 4 stroke. Even when performance and cost wise both engines come about even the HPDI finally came ahead because of better acceleration. I personally believe that boaters have overrated the 4 strokes, there is a lot of life left in modern 2 strokes. Only if I were to buy a big block version I would consider the 4 stroke, and that is only because of the reliability issue that Yamaha is having with those big blocks.
The HPDI 200 is a proven winner. Why take a chance on a new motor in September? One thing you'll see consistently hear is most of the time the problems come from new, unproven technology, not technology that's already been a winner.
E-tec has been out for three years with very few problems on any of the blocks. How can you say that HPDI is more proven when we all know whats going on with their big block motors?
i see you didnt mention the 4 strokes. i assume, like us, weight, torque and higher top speed are bigger considerations for you as well. we actually considered the HPDIs when making our choice (we are restricted to 200 twins, though) but the benefits of the e-tecs pushed us that direction. we are very happy with the decision.
Rude1, there have been almost no problems with the 2.6L HPDI. It's a proven model and technology. That's my point on the E-Tec...the HPDI was a great marvel until they pushed the envelope. Let's see how the 200-250 E-tecs hold up at 200-300 hours.
dmartin now that you mentioned the boat the decision is easier. The Contender 25 is listed at only 3100 lbs. That's very light for a 25 footer. That boat should fly with twin 200 HPDI. Have money to burn, go all the way to the 250 Yamaha 4 cycle. Skip the 200 and 225 4 cycle. In the 250 Yamaha corrected the power deficiency of the other engines by adding variable valve timing and other improvements that increase the mid range torque. You can't go wrong with any of those engines.
I considered switching from HPDIs to E-Tecs after my HPDIs were stolen, but consider is all I did. The 200 HPDI is still the most reliable 2-stroke on the market and until Evinrude gets a couple years under its belt with the new design we won't know how good it really is. Yamaha dealer support is far better (widespread) than Evinrude and its easier to find a well-schooled mechanic. Another consideration is the inferior instrumentation Evinrude uses, not sure if you're limited to what they offer but Yam's stock gauges are digital and better looking.
The real world reports I’ve gotten for a 25 Contender with 2 x 200 HPDI gives a WOT of 52-54 mph and cruise at 40-42 mph which is plenty fast for me. The Contender web site http://www.contender.com/fleet_25.asp?d=3
gives number that have been confirmed by several owners.
More importantly with the HPDI- > 2 mpg for a 28 ft boat at 40 mph. I’ll go from 27.5 gal/hr at 42 mph (WOT) to cruise at 41 mph @ 19 gal/hr at 4K rpm. My cruise speed should increase by 10 mph with a 10% fuel increase.
The 4 strokes are too heavy for that boat. The 25 is a little stern heavy (or bow light) which is why they use such long trim tabs on the boat. The newer models have even longer tabs that extend beyond the transom.
I own two ETEC 200's on a 27 Walk Around. I thought I would add my feedback after @100 hours.
Pros
Very Quiet
Very effifient on fuel and oil
Responsive
Cons
I have had the thermostat replaced in the port engine
There was a spark plug problem from the factory where the gap in the plugs were to big which causes it to cut off when idling or going from forward to reverse. These problems are fixed now.
All in all, after some hickups they are doing well.
From a guy that blew up a 250 HPDI and has had a lot of trouble with the HPDI technology, if I was in the market for a 2 stroke 200, I'd buy the HPDI. The small blocks are a different animal and I've been on boats with both the 150 and 200...and I'm amazed.
E-Tec is probably going to be a great motor and I hope it is, but like Auburn1 said, go with a proven technology.
A buddy of mine and the dealer that sold me the boat, Eagle Marine steered me away from the 300 HPDI and to be honest tried to get me away from the 250 HPDI. I didn't listen and went with the newer technology over the Evinrude DFI. The guy I know with the DFI has had some sensor issues, but the motor has been perfect.
The lesson is listen to these guys. Go with the proven technology, the 200 HPDI.
200 HPDI or 200 Etec? 
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