stevebeilgard Posted November 16, 2008 Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 i have a 25' and 17' boston whaler i need to repower this winter. i like the honda 4 stroke, of course, and always considered it the best. but, the etec salt water edition has my eye. anyone have any experience with either of these? i'll need the 225 and a 90-115 hp for the little boat. i'm looking for best fuel and long life. i have a pair of 2 stroke 130 hp johnsons on the 25', and i open the wallet and the throttle at the same time.... lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted November 16, 2008 Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 Steve, Most of the folks around here have found the achilles heal on the Four Stroke outboards to be the enormous difference in weight. If you're maxed out HP wise on a boat at 150HP with a two stroke engine you'll usually have to step down to a 130HP four stroke. The reason is the extra weight on your transome might be too much. At the 150 size the weight difference will be between 70 to 100lbs! That's not insignificant, it's a big deal. The boats I've been in with Ficht and Etec engines drink as little gas as the four stroke motors and have significantly better power for their rating. I'd take a closer look at the Etec if I were you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 I have never had any experience with those big motors, however; I did have a 40 hp Honda on my boat and it was great. 4 stroke and it was so easy on gas it was crazy! We could be on the water all day long and it wouldn't burn more than 10 to 12 gals of gas! Great motor! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 No experience with the Honda outboards (don't see many on the bass fishing circuits), but I have a couple of friends with the Etecs. Both had some initial problems, including a blown powerhead on one, but everything was covered under warranty. Both have been trouble free for the last year or so. Both also get good gas mileage and perform reasonably well, but they won't quite stay up with my Merc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 I have always ran Mercs. However, we bought a pontoon a couple of years ago. It has a 85hp honda on it. Those 4-strokes run so quiet you can talk at normal levels and hear each other. They are also GREAT on gas. We fill that boat up and run around off and on all weekend on one tank. Definately a good motor. And hey, its a Honda. How often do you hear anyone grip about a Honda? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 Maybe this will convince you to look at the E-Tec closer Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csualumni21000 Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 etec Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 Maybe this will convince you to look at the E-Tec closer Steve. LOL! That was funny! I'd definetly go with the Etec over the honda Steve. I have a '99 15hp Yamaha 2 stroke and a few years back a tourist had a 15hp Honda 4-stroke. The honda wouldn't even get the 14' aluminum up on plane and my Yamaha will plane it out at under half throttle, and cruises at 28mph on GPS wide open. Pretty good on fuel too! Not sure how the newer ones are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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