I see these on bigger offshore CC’s for sale but never see anyone running them offshore around here. Why would you only go Yamaha or Mercury on your offshore boats? Trying to get some opinions for buddy looking at boats. Found a Cape Horn he loves but he’s terrified to get it because it has twin Gen 2 E-Tecs.
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Mike Martinez
"Team Hookers Dream”
2017 Robalo R302 twin 300 yams “Roballin”
It boils down to that’s what is sold and serviced around here. I’d buy etechs in a skinny minute.
Key West 2300 Bluewater
I’ve run Etek, Optimax, Yamaha and now Suzuki. Nothing but good things to say about all of them. If you get a good deal on that Etek you should take it, but keep the cost of that oil in mind when you make the offer.
I do my own work, so dealer support isn’t critical to me, but quality is. There are more options around here for quality Yamaha dealers than anything else. When I had an etek I couldn’t get good support anywhere near hear once Seals lost their dealer status.
If I repower, I’ll probably go mercury because I really like the dealer (BAR marine) out in Jacksonboro.
*** World Cat 266 SC ***
Nothing but good things to say about the e-Tec. My brother has owned one for years with little if any trouble. He is now looking to repower with a G2.
Kevin
1720 Sea Hunt w/ 115 hp Yam
M’Ocean Sickness (SOLD)
2018 Sportsman 212 Open w/200 hp Yam
M’Ocean Sickness II
Those Gen 2 E-Tecs are awesome. As mentioned, there is minimal service support around here. The only one I know of is Cape Romain Marine in McClellanville. That’s where I have mine serviced. Mine is not a Gen 2.
Love my E tec and hope to go to the G2 300 soon. I have seen more E tec at Mobile Bay than any other motor, on big CCs. They must have a great dealer support!
E-Tec’s are notorious for engine issues, and big expensive issues at that. If you want to make an informed decision, PM me for the number of a mechanic that works on them all the time and get his ■■■■■■■■. You won’t be buying any E-Tec engines after you talk with him.
Capt. Garry Coats
Folly Beach & CHS
@DolphinChartersSC
All positive ■■■■■■■■ until the last comment. It’s posts like that that keeps him hesitant. Nothing against your response Dilly, just noting that’s what keeps him hesitant from anything not Yamaha
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Mike Martinez
"Team Hookers Dream”
2017 Robalo R302 twin 300 yams “Roballin”
Yamaha and Suzuki make the best most reliable 4-Stroke engines; perhaps Mercury has caught up. I’ve had my DF140 Suzuki for 17 yrs and it runs as good as new. I did have some bad gas in it last year, had to replace all of the fuel parts but now it’s 100% awesome. Never any critical mechanical engine issues. But the E-Tec’s are definitely a problematic breed per my post above.
Capt. Garry Coats
Folly Beach & CHS
@DolphinChartersSC
I take a pair of Suzuki’s offshore all the time and love them. They are 4 strokes, extremely quiet, run great.
World Cat 266SC
Scout 15.5
No issues with my E-Tec 115. I have had it 43 miles offshore in my 20 ft cc. I have it serviced by Mike’s Marine down toward Beaufort on Rte 21. I have been extremely happy with that place, and the service they provide. It’s a little bit of a drive, but the time you spend driving there and back is worth it when you’re boat is ready faster than most of the wait times in the immediate Charleston area.
Tidewater 198cc
Evinrude ETec 115
Run twin Honda 150 hp four strokes out 70 miles. No problems, great gas. Run 4200 rpm - 4500 rpm out and back 70 miles, troll about 5 hours, burn 65 gal. All day. Enjoy the quite. 23’ Key West.
Like the 10 year warrente that Evenrude offers! Looks like DD had the same problem with his Ev. that I had with Mercs! Will never own another black motor!
Have owned Johnson 40(86), Honda 25(2003),ETEC 115 (2007),Suzuki 150F (2009), Yamaha 150F (2013) and Honda 25 (2016). ETEC had problems. I will not buy another. All others have been problem free. Japanese quality seems to continue to be high and if taken care of, run trouble free.
The Johnson OMC 40 was a great motor.