On 23 Apr 2005 04:56:20 -0700, "Ed" wrote:

Tom, I would really like to see and hear about this new motor. As i
will be looking at getting a boat in the near future, I want to get all
the infor I can.

Well, you've heard from Karen and I'll let it up to you if her advice
is anything you wish to follow. I don't have anything against Karen
- her opinion is her opinion - she has a right to it. Nothing she has
said has swayed me in the least only because in my experience, with a
fair amount of hours on the three engines I own, I was very pleased
with how they worked out.

My first Contender had twin FICHTs (225) . I also have a FICHT (200)
on my Ranger CC. I did have a couple of problems with the 200, but
they were unusual problems and not directly related to the standard
FICHT issues. However, that set the stage for the second boat because
I was firmly in the two stroke camp. In particular, the direct
injected two stroke camp.

Now, with respect to E-TEC, I believe it is the future technology.
Hands down better than four stroke in terms of weight, acceleration,
efficiency (although that has yet to be determined, but I was
impressed with the test figures) and emissions. Sound is also a
biggie and to tell the truth, they were extremely quiet - quieter than
a Yamaha four stroke that a friend of mine has.

I hang around a boat dealer and marina a lot doing nothing more than
being unofficial yard groupie and I see a lot of different engines. I
also have the good fortune to take a lot of different boats with
different engines out after repairs for test runs. You tend to get a
feel for what is and isn't if you will.

For what it's worth, my personal observation is that direct injected
two stroke engines are much better than four stroke or EFI two
strokes. It's a given that it's much better than normally aspirated
two strokes.

As of this point, I know a couple of guys who have E-TEC 90 hp on
their boats and absolutely rave about them - a respectable amount of
new hours - somewhere around 40 hours per (give or take a few) and no
complaints - just great reviews and performance. You read my first
reaction to having a set of 225 E-TECs - wowzer! :)

If you have a choice, go with a direct injected two stroke - I'm brand
loyal to Evinrude because Bombardier handled my problems with a lot of
skill and no muss or fuss in a situation where they didn't have to do
anything to satisfy me. I was impressed with that.

Good luck searching. :)

Later,

Tom