On Tue, 01 Feb 2005 08:17:23 -0600, Del Cecchi
wrote:

~~ mucho snippage ~~

So here is a blunt question: If one bought an early Ficht 150, what was
the likelyhood that one would have had major problems with the
powerhead? I have heard the big blocks were better, what is the
comparable number for them? And what had the rate dropped to by the
time of the OMC bankruptcy?

I am, just to satisfy my curiousity, trying to understand whether indeed
2 strokes are barely feasable and direct injected two strokes have
fundamental problems that doom any attempt to make them work reliably,
or whether quality problems, whether isolated or pervasive, caused the
appearance of a flaw.

I heard stories of sooting. I heard stories of poor quality assurance
when switching supplies for parts. But I certainly wasn't in the story
flow. So what is your opinion as to the root cause of the problems?

I can answer a couple of these questions for you.

It was the early 150 FICHTs that had the major problems. And those
were corrected eventually. And if you have an early 150 FICHT that
is running, the likely circumstance is that it's been upgraded and is
ok.

With respect to DI engines - anything you hear about them being
fundamentally flawed by a certain individual on this newsgroup or by
competitive dealers is strictly personal opinion and unfounded in the
real world. DI is the way to go with two strokes. I am also
impressed by the E-TEC engines - my new boat will have E-TECS.

I currently own three FICHTs and with one exception, have never had
any major problems and those problems that I did have weren't much
different that any new engine would have - easily and quickly
correctable. That one exception was related to the electronics
(something that almost never happens even on other type engines - a
stator failure which cascaded into the computer) and not the power
head.

As to soot - use a good grade gas, make sure you use stabilizer and
use the FICHT oil instead of a industry standard brand. Haven't had
any soot problems yet. I did have on one, but I was using el cheapo
gas on the way to the launch. Switched over and no more problem.

I know several shell fish types (clammers) who have FICHTS with
incredible amounts of hours on them and they are running just fine
thank you very much. :)

I am a barely technically literate very satisfied FICHT owner - Bill
can give you the heavy duty technical stuff.

Trying to keep the barbarians from giving you a false impression. :)

Later,

Tom