I know this debate could go on forever and that in some cases is more opinion than fact… But here it goes anyway.
Im looking at an 18’ Panga Skiff and the two motors they offer factory installed are Evinrude 2-Strokes and Suzuki 4-Strokes. Right now Im plannin on going with an Evinrude E-tec 40hp (2-Stroke) for the following reasons.
One - Because it’s what the owners of the Panga company recommend for the Skiff Model and they would know.
Two - Because the 2-Strokes are cheaper than the 4-Strokes up front.
Three - Because 2-Strokes dont need an oil change or as much maintence as 4-Strokes (from what Ive heard).
Four - I know a little bit more about the Evinrude name than I do Suzuki.
However, in the last day or two Ive learned that a rebuilt Suzuki 50hp (4-Stroke) is comming back from Suzuki plant to the Panga plant and the Panga guys said they could cut me a deal on the Suzuki. I hesitate due to the aformentioned reasons… Should I coinsider the Suzuki or stick to the E-tec?
“Pura Vida”
Smitty
India '07
15’ Alum. Fisher w/ Mercury 25HD
12’ Tarpon 120 w/ Two Arms and a Paddle
elcid, If you dont mind saying. What panga dealer are you buying from. I see two US Panga dealerships on the internet and one overseas. I’m curious about the cost of the type of rig you are looking at. They are a very interesting skiff.*** If there is a considerable weight difference between the engines, I’d go with the lighter engine and the one requiring the least maintenance. Most likely the E-tec
Is your Suzuki a 4-Stroke? If so, what are we talkin on cost of oil changes and the horrible tails of services I hear about? Not tryin to put yours down at all man, just wanna get my facts straight. Hope you dont mind me askin.
“Pura Vida”
Smitty
India '07
15’ Alum. Fisher w/ Mercury 25HD
12’ Tarpon 120 w/ Two Arms and a Paddle
I have a 2008 4-stroke Suzuki 140 - I spent about $60 on my service this year. When I need plugs, it will add about $12 to that. I have had zero problems with mine and did a lot of research on them before my purchase and couldn’t really find anything bad about them.
Rebuilt</font id=“red”></font id=“size3”> Suzuki comes back to Panga
“Pura Vida”
Smitty
India '07
15’ Alum. Fisher w/ Mercury 25HD
12’ Tarpon 120 w/ Two Arms and a Paddle
Doesn’t that kind of throw up a flag for you? It would me. I’d go with the E-tec not because its a better motor but its new, you don’t hear many horror service stories and parts are usually available.
Mark
Mako 262 Twin Yammaha F200s
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.
“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne
elcid think of this… you pay around 300 dollars or so for an annual service that you can do your self for half price… You are going to pay for oil everytime you go out in the boat. Figure 20 dollars worth of oil everytime you go out and what does that come out to in a year? I am a Yamaha guy but the suzuki is well worth the extra charge and I don’t think it can be much more. When ever I sell a four stroke whether a mercury or yamaha I never see it come back but when I sell a two stroke I see them come back more often for random reasons. Why do you think you are seeing more and more four strokes out on the water? Just my opinion but i would go with the four stroke four fuel economy, not having to buy oil every time you go out, reliability, quite, and better for the environment.
From reds to marlin you got it.
2001 210 Sea Fox
2009 Yamaha F150
20 $ everytime? in a panga? negative man. maybe in your boat, not in a panga. he’s looking at a 40. not a 150. i have a crappy 2000 50hp 2stroke johnson and you cant even fit that much oil in the gas tank. im just not feelin those vibes man. im feelin 2 stroke on a panga, ive done quite a bit of research, and no, im not a “boat broker”, but im also not a retard either. logic is logic. the panga is supposed to be one of the most efficient style hulls the world of boat design. why put a fat heavy engine on something like that to create a decreased hull performance.
also, if my 2000 2cylinder 50hp johnson with prob 800-1000hrs since ive had it can go 45 miles on 6.5 gal (16.5 ounces of oil) of gas at 5800rpms on a 15.5’ high tide boat, imagine what a 702stroke can do with an extremely efficient hull.
Some Suzuki 4 strokes have had corrosion issues and their parts and service support is not as good as evinrude or yamaha here at times. The small ETECs are supposed to be extremely good engines. The amount of 2 cycle oil the things burn is almost nothing compared to what you will spend on good 4 cycle oil in a 4 stroke every 50 hours and an oil filter every 100 hours.
I like suzuki’s a lot because of their power and performance, but I will tell you that I have seen a DF115, a DF140 and several DF175’s either have motor mounts about to break from corrosion or have a powerhead blown. These are motors with under 1000 hours. That doesn’t mean they are bad motors… it just means they are not bulletproof indestructo’s. The same goes with Evinrudes.
I would personally buy whichever motor came with the longer warranty in your case, elcidsurfer. The 40HP Etec will probably perform like the 50HP suzuki because the suzuki (4 stroke) is a heavier motor. Just because it has 25% more HP doesn’t mean it will perform 25% better. I would guess that it will not perform better than the lighter ETEC, and that it will burn more fuel. That amount of fuel is hardly worth factoring into a $1000 decision though. You can also buy a lot of 4 cycle motor oil and oil filters for $1000. A longer warranty and new vs. rebuilt is approaching the $1000 value mark IMO, however.
“Expect 10 miles per gallon with a 25 HP motor and a top speed of 25 MPH, and 9 miles per gallon with a 40 hp, topping out at around 38 MPH.”
“Over the past fifty years I have owned a number of boats but I can tell you without reservation your boat is the finest small boat I have ever put my foot in. It is stable, seaworthy and dry. . . Over three days of run and gun fishing I burned approximately 10 gallons of fuel and the engine consumed less than 1/2 pint of oil.”
What you say concerning corrosion on the Suzuki’s may be true, but I have not personally experienced any. The warranty is a huge issue to consider and was ultimately one of my deciding points. 6 year warranty on the Suzuki vs. 3 years with everything else I was looking at.
Thanks for all the input fellas. Dont get me wrong, Ive deff done my research on these Panga’s and on each of the Motors. I really just wanted to get some opinions from owners and users out there. I can read every review out there and it still might not be worth the value of someones experience with their own motor.
However, it looks the reviews Ive read and what yall have said match up. If Im gonna go with the most cost and fuel effeciant hull there is on the market (Panga) then I might as well go with the most cost and fuel effeciant engine option available (E-tec). Thanks again for all the input yall.
cordray,
Im goin with the Skiff. And FYI those quotes are from a guy here in Charleston that owns a 18’ Panga Skiff with a 40hp E-tec. Ive met him and seen his boat. ■■■■ is it a beauty!!!
“Pura Vida”
Smitty
India '07
15’ Alum. Fisher w/ Mercury 25HD
12’ Tarpon 120 w/ Two Arms and a Paddle
20 $ everytime? in a panga? negative man. maybe in your boat, not in a panga. he’s looking at a 40</font id=“red”>. not a 150. i have a crappy 2000 50hp 2stroke johnson and you cant even fit that much oil in the gas tank. im just not feelin those vibes man. im feelin 2 stroke on a panga, ive done quite a bit of research, and no, im not a “boat broker”, but im also not a retard either. logic is logic. the panga is supposed to be one of the most efficient style hulls the world of boat design. why put a fat heavy engine on something like that to create a decreased hull performance</font id=“red”>.
also, if my 2000 2cylinder 50hp johnson with prob 800-1000hrs since ive had it can go 45 miles on 6.5 gal (16.5 ounces of oil) of gas at 5800rpms on a 15.5’ high tide boat, imagine what a 702stroke can do with an extremely efficient hull.
Have you seen an ETEC? they are not small motors. In fact a mercury and a yamaha four stroke is smaller and the suzuki is only 11 lbs more. Also i have four strokes so I don’t buy oil but on my 150 johnson i took two gallons with me at all times. Also how great woudl it be with a fuel efficient motor and a fuel efficient hull instead of a two stroke with a fuel efficient hull?
ft worry.
From reds to marlin you got it.
2001 210 Sea Fox
2009 Yamaha F150
You are going to pay for oil everytime you go out in the boat. Figure 20 dollars worth of oil everytime you go out and what does that come out to in a year? Just my opinion but i would go with the four stroke four fuel economy, not having to buy oil every time you go out, reliability, quite, and better for the environment.
From reds to marlin you got it.
2001 210 Sea Fox
2009 Yamaha F150
You are going to pay for oil everytime you go out in the boat. Figure 20 dollars worth of oil everytime you go out and what does that come out to in a year? Just my opinion but i would go with the four stroke four fuel economy, not having to buy oil every time you go out, reliability, quite, and better for the environment.
From reds to marlin you got it.
2001 210 Sea Fox
2009 Yamaha F150
Im puttin in my order for the boat some time in August. Tryin to save up as much cash for the down payment. All of their boats are custom made to order and take 6 to 8 months before it arrives in Charleston. As soon as I get it Ill take lots of pics and put up a new post. Should have it here by the end of September. Ill keep everyone posted. Im also inviting anyone thats interested in getting a Panga a test ride. So feel free to PM me once I get it in.
“Pura Vida”
Smitty
India '07
15’ Alum. Fisher w/ Mercury 25HD
12’ Tarpon 120 w/ Two Arms and a Paddle
You are going to pay for oil everytime you go out in the boat. Figure 20 dollars worth of oil everytime you go out and what does that come out to in a year? Just my opinion but i would go with the four stroke four fuel economy, not having to buy oil every time you go out, reliability, quite, and better for the environment.
I have a 115 E-tec and it hasnt needed oil in 7 months. I go out about 4-6 times per month. The E-tec is not the 2-stroke of old.
This guy obviously has no experience with an etec. He is just pushing the product he sells. His opinion is pretty much worthless.