E-Tech reliability

[journey on]

We just got back from a Catalina trip. The NWS can't predict the weather more than 1 day ahead. So it was a short trip.

Anyway after we got to Avalon, I noticed that the Harbour Patrol was using E-Tech outboards. I asked if that was new as I thought they used Hondas. The answer was no, the Isthmus Harbour Patrol uses Hondas (150's by the way,) Avalon has been using E-Tech for years. Please note that both the Avalon and Isthmus Patrols spend a good amount of time greeting visitors as they enter the mooring area, assigning moorings, collecting the money and providing assistance. So their motors are idling then run with short spurts and being shifted a lot, 24/7 all year.. Good test of reliability. Yes, they have more than one boat. I've never been to another harbour where the Harbour Patrol had that job.

The next obvious question was how reliable were they? So here's the comments. They trade them in at the end of 2 years, at which time the warranty is up. At that time they have ~6000 hrs, and they're still running well, doing good. One engine had a new lower end at 3000 hrs. Turns out that the Harbour Patrol shifts their engines up to 1000 times per hour; yes they have a meter to measure that. That's why they replaced the lower end. The engine on the boat that greeted us had 3000 hrs. Not only did it greet us at 10 am, but it was out at 3 am the next day when the winds came up and all the boats were swinging into their neighbors (see comment on the NWS.) So the demand on those motors is severe.

I also know that the Isthmus Harbour Patrol is pleased with their Hondas. This isn't a versus comparison.

A few non motor comments. Went over on radar the whole way. I added a note to the radar checklist to tune it for max performance, since another fiberglass boat nearly pronged us. I had the sea and rain clutter gain set too high, so it blanked out small/plastic targets. The radar saw the cruise ship off Avalon, the return was so big, I thought it was part of the island.

Gasoline is $7.20/gal at Avalon, but only $5.60 at Huntington Harbour on the mainland. By the way Sunset Beach Aquatic Marina (at HH,) is a great place from which to launch. First time in 25 years and they've improved it. Just fill the tank before you get there.

Boris

[thataway]

Plus the Huntington harbor dock has E 10 fuel--so no advantage. We think it is the best place to launch in S Calif--very co-operative staff!

Great comment on the engines. I have been going to the Isthmus all of my life, and never considered how many shifts were made--but I am sure that you are 100% correct. These harbor patrol folks are great people and have a very difficult and at times dangerous job. It is often thankless. I hear people chewing them out all of the time...too bad!

[trpsurf]

We are headed over to Catalina tomorrow morning from Huntington Harbor, where our boat is now in a slip. We are hoping for calm winds, as forecasted, although you never know!

I repowered with a new ETEC and have been thrilled by the reliability and performance. I too spoke with the harbor patrol from Avalon and they reported great feedback, which is impressive given their daily use.

One thing I like about the ETEC is the 300 hours between service. If I would have gone with another make/model, I would have had to have the boat in the shop two times already for a 100 hour service.

The lobsters are awaiting our arrival!

Tim
C-Pelican