Evinrude Etech vs. Murcery Optimax

I have a 2010 150 HP E-Tec. Put about 150 hours on per year. I boat on the Wolf River frequently so she gets her fair share of idle time through the slow no wake areas. Hands down best motor I've owned to date. Starts right up, even after sitting through the Winter, super quiet too and came with a five year warranty.

As others have said, winterization is a snap - she fogs herself down in about two minutes. Also runs at 100 to 1.

Mercs. are great motors too, but I've never owned an Opti so I can't comment. I don't believe you'll be disappointed with an E-Tec.

I own a bass boat with a 200 Horse Power Etec H.O and I love it. Quiet, uses little oil and little fuel and I can winterize it in about 5 minutes. Well fog the engine that is. Best part is that after you winterize the motor, you can take it out fishing on a nice November day and winterize it again in 5 minutes or so right at the boat launch. Can you 4 Strokers do that?....

80% huh? dont look at too may saltwater boats i take it? more merc verados and opti's then yamahas. but, i'd take a yamaha or merc before an e-tec anyday.

After watching friends go through opti powerheads i wouldn't touch one. And there customer service left a bad taste in there mouth also. On the other hand, it seems like the verados are holding up, just from what i seen.

You won't go wrong with either one. As far as marketing goes, if you've ever been to either coast you'll see that neither Merc or Evinrude has a marketing advantage outside of the midwest. I'd venture a guess that 80%+ of all saltwater boats run Yamaha.

I've had an etec since 06 and it's been great. Both are good motors that get great fuel mileage. Etec is probably quieter but the newer mercs are a lot quieter than they used to be. I don't think you can go wrong with either. If you're looking at used both have had issues with certain models in certain years so do some research.

I bought a new 40hp Etec in 2004 from a dealer near Beaver dam that was going out of business. Used the motor four years and moved on to a bigger boat to fish lake Michigan and Green Bay. The motor was great on gas and used very little oil (xd100). Not one issue during the four years I had the motor. Talk about quiet. When i bought a bigger boat I needed a kicker so I bought a 6hp Merc. I think it's a 2000. Had to get rid of it as it was soooo loud! Like having a lawn moor in the back of the boat. Anyhow both the Optimax and Etec are very good motors but my experience with that 40HP Etec was so pleasant that I would for sure buy another Etec if and when the time comes I can actually afford a new motor.

Great Info, Wade; I also like to check out a site called Boattest.com. It does cover more information specific to the overall boat package, but it has a lot of good information there as well.

Tight Lines!

Lou

I've always had mercury outboards until my most recent boat, which has a 200 E-Tech HO. I think this is the most quiet motor I have ever run and it starts on the first crank every time no matter how long it's been sitting. No problems yet.

I think you mainly see mercury out there because the dealers get them for a cheaper price (bigger profit margin for them) and they are heavily advertised around WI and MN. Not saying they are bad but I will be sticking with a RUDE or trying a yamaha.

Wade, vary interesting links,looked up a 75 hp E-tec,at 700rpm it will go almost 27mpg and .10 gph,so they say it will troll 10hours on a gallon of gas hard to believe.A 75 Yamaha 4stroke 8.25 mpg and .4gph still good.

http://www.evinrude.com/en-CA/Tools/Performance-Reports-Library

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/outboard/products/perfbull.aspx

http://www.mercurymarine.com/engines/engine-tests/outboards/

Check out these links. All manufacturers have some type of performance bulletins.

Drummer Boy; interesting to learn that fact on fuel consumption! I do not have any personal experience to back it up, just what the factory reps at BRP and Mercury have informed us with regard to their respective motors. I can believe that the E-Tech may not go as slow for trolling needs, as a 2 stroke cycle would tend to operate at faster pace than a 4 stroke cycle, all else being equal...as I said, I believe that Evinrude is making a great new product, it just needs to get some exposure and following to bring the brand back into acceptance by the folks....I would really like to get some details on any folks that have a mid range E-Tech, (30-60 Hp),and how they like trolling with these units. I must admit I have more time in with Mercury Product, and I really like the 4-Stroke EFI mid range motors that Merc is producing...but I like to keep an open mind and learn more about boats, motors, and how I can help people enjoy their time boating and fishing!

Lou

I have to disagree with one of the comments about fuel consumption of an E-tec at trolling speeds compared to a four stroke.E-techs get great gas mileage at idle,I have a 8hp four stroke kicker,I would not go out trolling with out it because it trolles slower then the Etec and I do not want to put all those hours on it, but I can tell you this I have trolled with the E-tech on occasions and believe it or not there is not much difference in gas mileage between the two.

I hear ya Lou. While I understand the cost thing years ago I learned that life is so much easier when you have the right tool for the job. Be it in construction, fishing, or whatever.

I've played the "dragging drift sock" game. What a pain. In my case I could justify the cost as I put about 400-500 hours of time on the water every year and I want to make it as efficient as possible.

I did see the other day that there is a TRIM TAB on the market now that articulates in a reverse direction to create drag. That may be a great option for some guys.

Wade, I think the best answer to your question is the cost: an extra $2 or $3 thousand can be the dollar cost difference for some folks, especially those that are not on the tournament circuits and have sponsors help to cover their expense...also coming into play could be the overall weight of the package with regard to total hull weight acceptance for load.

With the new Mercury 4 Stroke 150, it should help fit both ends of the spectrum for many folks; time will certainly tell. It may not "troll down" to speeds that tournament guys will require, but overall, I think most weekend and vacation anglers will find it a good fit.

I will say this; from a point of safety, especially on the Great Lakes type of waters, I myself prefer having a "kicker" motor; just to be able to limp home if the main unit breaks down. I have been with boat kinds of units, you just have to decide what makes the most value for your needs!

Lou