I stopped by the marina near my house tonight and talked to a the owner
about the Four Winns and the E-Tec.
He said the Four Winns was a nice boat, and he said the Etec was worth every
penny, and he actually preferred it to the 4 strokes.
I guess to each his own. I also just read an article in GO Boating magazine
that had nothing but good things to say about the Etec. They also had a
fairly long article comparing 2 and 4 strokes, and the Etec was included
there as well mentioning about its good fuel economy and low maintenance
requirements.
I dunno im sure i could find people to say that either is the best, so i
guess sometimes you just gotta go with your gut, and my gut is telling me
Four Winns and a 90HP Etec.
Just to make matters worse, i got a call from the guy i talked to at the
marina down the street, and he has this 17' Silverline that he will put a
90HP Etec on for $15,530 w/Galvy trailer. Not a bad looking boat, but don't
think she's in the same league as the Four Winns or Hurricane.

"Capt Frank Hopkins" wrote in message
news

Hi Mike,
Both are good boats. I would go with a yammi or suzuki 4 stroke though.
It
will add a little cost, but is worth it in greatly reduced fuel
consumption
and sound levels. A 4 stroke will last thousands of hours longer and troll
all day without skipping a beat. You can re-decal the engine cover by
ordering a can of spray paint and a decal set for a 60 or 70 horse motor.
That should fool all but a USCG inspector.

--
Capt. Frank

__c
\ _ | \_
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www.home.earthlink.net/~aartworks
"Mike" wrote in message
news:P4m%b.24594$AL.457120@attbi_s03...
Hi All,
I was just at the boat show in Boston last night, and i think im
falling
for
this Four Winns Freedom 170 O/B. Im debating on whether to spend the
extra
$2500 for a 90HP Evinrude E-Tec or save the money and just go with a
Johnson
90HP 2-stroke.
I have narrowed my boat choices down to 2 boats, with one being a 17'
Hurricane Deck Boat with a Yamaha 90HP 2 Stroke, and this Four Winns.
The
Hurricane is a little cheaper especially if i go with the E-TEC on the
Four
Winns.
My Lake Association has a length restriction of 17' and a HP
restriction
of
70hp. Im going to push my luck and go with the 90 HP. I just got rid
of
a
17' Bayliner with a 75HP merc, and it could barely pull a skier and
with
more than 10 gallons of gas could hardly whip a tuber out of the wake.
I guess for the price of this new boat i wanted to make sure it will
have
the power needed to do the above with little trouble.
Of course im being assured that the 90HP will handle things easily,
but
i
was hoping there may be others out there with either of these boats
that
have some experience.
Both boats seem pretty well made, and the amenities on the Four Winns
have a
slight lead. Like i said im leaning towards the Four Winns for the
following
reasons.
Windshield instead of small deflector on the hurricane.
Seat Layout
Looks, although the hurricane is no slouch
Four Winns name and reputation
Clarion Satellite/CD/FM radio (nice system it appears w/1 year free
service)
not a deal maker but a nice benny.
Removable side windshield panels (dealer is checking to see if this
can
be
done on the none Fish/Ski model)

I guess i need a little push here with the decision.
Hurricane or Four Winns
Evinrude E-TEC, Johnson 2 Stroke or Yamaha 2-Stroke?
The show price included a painted steel trailer and the Galvy was $450
extra, if i only use in fresh water should i save the $450 and not
worry
about it?
Ability for either or any 17' O/B boat with 90HP motor to pull
Skiers/Tubers?
Dealer for Four Winns is almost 1 1/2 hrs away, Hurricane Dealer is
15-20
mins.

All comments welcomed