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Random Quote: No man has lay on his death bed and wished he spent more time at work
I've got a 90 coming hopefully in the next 2 weeks on a Key West 1720. Anyway, I plan on reporting comments on the engine after I've ran it real good....
Warranty is seven years right now.
Just read latest Trailer Boats and they had a couple of articles of interest, to me. They reviewed a 26'5 Rabolo WA and also the 90 hp ETEC. They seemed quite pleased with both the Rabolo and the ETEC. Had quite a bit of info on the inner workings of the ETEC. Since I won't be purchasing a boat for a year or two, the ETEC holds my interest, although I will probably go for the larger ones, if they are out when I buy the boat.
Bump! Would like to see if anybody else has some thoughts about, specifically, the ETEC. Besides, this way I can creep up on 200 posts, which isn't a lot, but is a round number.
Current issue of Trailer Boats magazine does a test of the 90hp (the largest one currently available) e-tec. A few things I recall off the top of my head. No breakin period required. Can go WOT from initial turn of the key. No maintenance required (not even post breakin) until 300 hours. Does not need a battery to run (it has a magneto like a dirt bike). Light. only 305 lbs. Great fuel economy. 6.6 mpg. Fogs itself when you want to winterize. Uses a new high pressure injector than that of the ficht. Pretty impressive sounding. At least on paper.
Brian,
I picked up a brochure at the boat show last weekend...I could be wrong, but, from what I understood you still need a battery, it just has a built in powercell for emergencies when the main battery is drained.
Take care,
Joe
I'll try to clarify my previous post. You can use a battery with it, but it does not need a battery to start or run. It has electric starting, but it can also be rope started. And since it has a magneto, it generates it's own electricity for spark. Obviously, most people are going to use a battery with it.
A while back I wrote an article about why those pesky two strokes aren't going away. The gist of the article was that engines have a practical limit with regards to power output, weight, and emissions. The method of fuel/air induction has a lot to do with all of the above. It is entirely possible that a two stroke design can not only weigh less and put out more power, but that it can also do so while running cleaner. Until that situation shakes out the big three will still be spending R&D dollars on two stroke technology.
quote:Originally posted by waynesworld: this motor exists only on paper ...
Only on paper ?? Then why have people been running them in Alaska for about a year? Why are they all over new transoms down under? And why are new boats being delivered in the US have them on the sterns now and for the past months or so? That ain't paper .
I do agree its way too premature to make any predictions ... but I think that the real point here is that WE as consumers, should expect MORE from any and all of the outboard manufactures. Why?
Look at recent posts of OB failues ... Suzis with problems, Yummie 4s burning up their water pumps, Mercs not starting or running ... all the way back to Ficht fires . We should ALL hope that these E-Tecs succeed, because maybe ... just maybe, it will make YOUR outboard of choice a much better and reliable motor as a result.
Thoughts?
[This message was edited by Reel-Rascals on 01-30-04 at 07:42 AM.]
I agree with REELRASCAL. I currently run 130 Hondas which are great.......but I am open to the thought of replacing them, but only with something better. I don't care if it is 2S/4S, I want better!
I think only competition will get consumers a better product.
are there v-6 e-tec motors out there 200-300h.p.? as far as yamaha water pumps burning up i think maybe it is more of an issue of a foriegn object blocking water intake. (plastic bag) i had my water pump impeller (2002 yamaha f225)replaced after 2 seasons and it looked like new as many other peoples. just because someone has a problem with something and posts it on this board doesn't mean it is a design flaw or inherent problem.
evinrudes previous problems were design flaws.
maybe the new e-tec will be a great motor but for now i'll stick with my 4-stroke...