I know this has probably been asked a million times but here it goes.
Whats the best 90hp two-stroke direct injection. Yamaha, Evinrude E-tech, Mercury, Suzuki? All comments welcome.
Need (want) to repower my 1984 18 Privateer. The current engine is the original 1984 Johnson 115. Runs good. Cuts out while idling sometimes. I’m surprised that it still runs. They built them good back then I guess. Really wanted a 4 stroke and started getting prices. However, it became clear that 4 strokes would be too heavy. The 18 Privateer has a low transom and the scuppers just barely stay above water. The 115 weighs 301 lbs and Privateer does not recommend a 4 stroke without some major glass work that would raise the deck and transom.
I would only ever own/run Yamaha. Some will disagree and say Mercury. I would never own one. The new E-TECHs are supposed to be bomb proof. I have no firsthand knowledge. I have heard of Suzukis having a corrosion problem based on the larger opening on the cowling and saltwater getting in more freely.
Your going to notice a good bit less performance out of the 90 yamaha. While it has a good rep it is also one of the weakest 90’s available. I have one and it leaves much to be desired.
I know this has probably been asked a million times but here it goes.
Whats the best 90hp two-stroke direct injection. Yamaha, Evinrude E-tech, Mercury, Suzuki? All comments welcome.
Need (want) to repower my 1984 18 Privateer. The current engine is the original 1984 Johnson 115. Runs good. Cuts out while idling sometimes. I’m surprised that it still runs. They built them good back then I guess. Really wanted a 4 stroke and started getting prices. However, it became clear that 4 strokes would be too heavy. The 18 Privateer has a low transom and the scuppers just barely stay above water. The 115 weighs 301 lbs and Privateer does not recommend a 4 stroke without some major glass work that would raise the deck and transom.
thanks
84’ Privateer cc
84’ Johnson 115
for a direct injected 2 stroke 90, your choices are E-Tec or Optimax. Since your boat is already rigged OMC and the mid-range E-Tec is getting good reviews, may be a good choice. I think that I would look for a 115 for that boat.
E-Tec is a great motor. I’ve spent a lot of time with a 50 E-Tec on the work boat.
I still use a 1985 Johnson 115 on my OLD Starcraft for fishing/sking. I want a new motor/boat but the 115 WILL NOT DIE!! I never winterize. It sits for months on end waiting for me and always starts. Never left me stranded either. Maybe I’ll forget the oil next time out…nah probably wouldn’t kill it anyway, then i’d feel guilty.
E-tech
sips fuel like a 4 stroke and kicks **s like a two. cranks on the first try and has a ton of hole shot, not to mention, its quite a strong motor
Another vote for thw E-Tec: it’s quiet and sips fuel like a 4 stroke, but it’s not afraid to get up and go!
We’ve got an 18’ McKee Craft that had a 90 johnson 2 stroke that we upgraded to a 115 E-Tec. The boat doesn’t sit lower in the water after the swap and the fuel economy we gained was outstanding. I don’t think I would have been able to say the same if we went with a Yamaha or Merc. The 90 E-Tec weighs 320 lbs which isn’t far from whats hanging on your transom now. Everyone else’s 90 2-strokes are running about 50 lbs more, except for the yamaha… but then you loose the fuel efficiency and soft tone.
We loved that 115 so much we swapped T225 yamaha 4’s for 250 E-tecs on our 32 Century and we couldn’t be happier.
I had an '84 17ft Aquasport that had an '84 Johnson 140HP on it when I got it. The motor was in great shape all the way around, but it was too much power for the boat. So I sold that motor and went through the same thing you’re doing now but 3 or 4 years ago. I ended up finding an '05 Johnson V4 90HP with carb instead of direct injection, and it was very VERY cheap compared to the other options. I sold the motor last year for what I paid for it, if that tells you anything. The reason why these motors are so cheap is because of this perception that they’re bad motors because of the new fuel efficient motors that are on the market now. I assure you, they are hardly bad motors unless you get into the 99-2002 years when OMC’s quality control went in the toilet and they were first trying direct injection instead of the carbs.
Look for a 2004-2006 (made by bombardier instead of OMC) Johnson 90/115 carbed 2 stroke and save yourself any issues with direct injection and also a couple thousand dollars versus a new Optimax or E-Tec. You can buy a lot of gas with those thousands of dollars…
If not 2004-2006 years, then look for about 1997 or older with low hours from freshwater. Lots of these kinds of motors are around lake Lanier in GA or up in TN on the back of big pontoons, houseboats, bass boats, etc… These folks run old JohnRudes in that freshwater for 30 or 40 years. Some leftover 2004-2006 carbed 2 stroke Johnsons could still be found in the crate or on display racks at backwoods dealerships if you look hard enough also. Parts for these motors are most anywhere, and they’re very simple and easy to work on. Also very reliable, especially when pre-mixing the oil.
You also might want to look at the much lighter 75-90HP 2 stroke carbed yamahas that are out there with low hours too. I don’t think there are as many of them around as the Johnrudes, so you cannot always find a used part for them, i.e. cheap part, as easily IMO. Less of that design were sold in the US vs. Johnson/Evinrude that
Thanks everyone for your input. Although the e-tec won I have purchased a new 08 Yam 90 2 stroke. Price and weight were the biggest considerations. Also, consultated with Privateer about performance of this engine and the 18’ Privateer. They assured me it was a good setup and should get close to 40 mph top end. Hopefully, the engine is being installed as we speak. Will post updates on the performance.
You make a great choice. Not tomention, that the 90 Yamaha 2-stroke is ready to run on E-10 gas. There is an article on here somewhere about that. Mine has been flawless.
Man, I wish I would have seen this post before. I am looking for an older 115 Johnson. I have a 1998 115 Johnson Ficht and want to replace…just don’t trust it. Only 90 hours on it though.
FishOn - $300 and its yours. Includes stainless prop. Runs great at mid and high rpms. Idle is a bit rough. I’m sure it needs to be tuned. I’ve never had the engine in the shop for anything other then to replace the seals in the foot. It’s at Seels Outboard and probably still on my boat as my new engine had to be shipped from Seattle. WTF?