On Tue, 27 Jul 2004 08:39:49 -0400, "Gene Kearns"
wrote:

On Fri, 16 Jul 2004 03:40:19 GMT, "Billgran"
wrote:

Tom,

You might want to check out the Evinrude E-TEC outboards in the 40-50hp
class. They are as quiet as a 4 stroke, there is no smoke orof mixing oil,
they do not need expensive oil changes and ridiculously priced oil filters.
They also do not use rubber timing belts that could bend valves when they
break, and are expensive to replace. There are no valves to burn, rust or
stick, and they do not need the cost of labor and a gasket for periodic
adjustments.

They come with a full 3 year warranty that does not lower coverage after 1
year as with some other brands.

The E-TEC does not need any dealer service for 3 years or 300 hours in
regular use. Some 4 strokes need oil changes every 6 months, plus again for
the 10 hr. check.

I've run these and am impressed with how quiet they are. They've been
produced since last year and are working well. One nice thing is that they
do not need a battery to run. They rope start within 1 revolution and the
ignition system does not need a battery to run like the 4 strokes do in
your horsepower range. If you are interested in clean air, the E-TECs have a
lower emission rating and emit fewer total emissions than the same size 4
stroke motor.


I'm a bit confused. My 4-stroke Suzuki's don't need "expensive oil
changes" any more than my car.... and even if they did, it would be
more than offset by not having to buy 2-stroke oil. Suzuki filters
aren't that expensive... and even if they were, I can use automotive
filters.

I don't have any rubber timing belts.

I have a six year warranty.

These 4-strokes weigh less than the 2-strokes they replaced.

At idle, they are so quiet, you have to check the pee hole or tach to
see if they have cut off....

I was over at Blue Fin manufacturing plant in Bristol, RI last week
and was surprized at how quiet the Suzuki 4 strokes are.

I like the four stroke technology, but I'm kind of anal when it comes
to brand loyalty. Bombardier has been very good to me and I plan on
repaying that by purchasing two new E-TEC engines from them this fall.

I think each technology has it's good points and bad points. So far,
I really haven't seen or heard anything negative about any of the new
technologies except second hand nonsense which I ignore. I seem to
hear more first hand bad mouthing Yamaha than other brands and that is
mostly "I brought my boat into the shop last month and they said they
are waiting on parts from Yamaha".

I will say this - I was mightly impressed with the Honda four strokes.
I had a little incident on a charter trip in the St. Lawrence Seaway a
couple of weeks ago and those little USCG inflatable looking boats
boats run twin 225 Hondas - I was standing in the back of the boat
talking to the crew on the run back to the dock and could carry on a
normal conversation without straining to hear or talk.

Very cool.

Later,

Tom