BoatBanter.com - View Single Post - Used Evinrude E-TEC 90hp

Short Wave Sportfishing

On 29 May 2007 06:16:11 -0700, wrote:

I have been offered a commercially used Evinrude E-TEC 90hp with 1000
hours. I am considering buying it however I don't know if this is
considered a lot of hours for this motor or what the life expectancy
would be. These motors sell for around 13000 and this is priced at
5000. Any advice on what I should be checking or looking out for would
be appreciated.

There are a few ways of looking at this.

One - it's been through three engine maintenance cycles and is about
200 hours shy of a fourth (assuming that the owner took it in for it's
300 hour cycle on a regular basis). Part of that cycle is a good
overall check through - again, assuming that the engine has been
properly maintained. So that shouldn't be an issue.

Two - 1,000 hours in commercial service isn't neccessarily a bad
thing. These engines are meant to run and run hard. I know one ETEC
90 owner who is approaching 1,000 hours and not a burp. Couple of
others approaching 800 hours and no problems to date. The Contender I
sold last year is approaching 1,000 hours in charter service with twin
ETECS and according to the owner, not a burp and they are still as
strong as the day he purchased the boat. A Sea//Tow captain I'm
friendly with has ETECS with around 1200 hours and no problems.

So take that for what it's worth from somebody you don't know.

Three - Did he buy it with the six year warranty and if so, how many
years are left on the warranty? I suspect not, but it doesn't hurt to
ask.

Four - It's priced way too high - you can pick up a new one for a
couple of grand more ($7,200 to $8,000 depending on the dealer) and
that will come with the 5 year full warranty.

Five - Assuming that you can get the price down to say $3,000 or
thereabouts, take the engine to a dealer and have the EMM read and the
engine gone through - that's for your own protection. I would still
opt for a new one though if he won't move well south of the $5,000.

So, there you have it from my perspective as an ETEC owner and
somebody who knows ETEC owners.