70/75 vs. 90hp on 22 Cruiser?

[Bearbait]

I think the perfect engine would be the ETEC90. It is lighter than the 4 strokes and with bigger fuel tanks, 2 batteries, kicker, and as much other crap as I can cram in, I'm really heavy in the stern (the boat, not me). However, from what I've heard you'll pay dearly for an ETEC and it is not proven technology. I've jumped in on the ground floor of new technology before and regretted it. Some ETECs have had problems with the sensors and computers that control everything and may take a few years to get things working right. There are ETEC owners on here that may chime in with their experience with them.

[Sawdust]

All brands seem to have growing pains - E-Tec, AFAIK, is doing great. Very rare problems and virtually no service bulletins. The one problem my AK buddy Tom had should have been taken care of immediately by the dealer -- took much too long to get a simple problem fixed. I've had the E-Tec 90 on a 22 CD for a year, and have one now on a 19 Ft. aluminum boat (Klamath). I'd not hesitate to buy another. 2-stroke technology is far from new - and with the addition of the upgraded oiling system and wear-related components I'd predict a long life for E-Tec. NO manufacturer will tell you how many hours your outboard should run -- far too many variables. 4-5000 hours is not unusal on the old Hondas - but proper service and care are key. They are all good now, because it's tough competition out there. All win, no lose for us users.

Dusty

[Sea Wolf]

iggy-

Lots of great thoughts about how to organize this site's information for newbies! You make some very important points I handn't considered fully.

Maybe if others are also interested, we could start a new topic on organizing information from past threads on common topics so we can discuss it further with those concerned, and not pirate off this thread.

Joe.

[Wefings]

A note on Hondas and carbs. The Hondas seem to have endless carb issues in the hot and humid south . We have more dissapointed Honda customers than any other brand [ we sell Honda,Suzuki,Yamaha,Nissan/Tohatsu,and Etec!]. The carburated Honda motors will not start after as little as 1.5 months of storage down here and require a carb cleaning [not covered by warranty]. I know that in northern climates the problems are not the same . I dont know if there is a difference in fuels , or if the climate makes the difference .We do not recommend them to our customers .We want to sell things that are trouble free.
Fuel injection for us is as close to trouble free as you can get . No matter what brand .
Honda has already built the new 75/90 EFI motors and they will be out relatively soon [in outboard years] . Probably winter or spring '07 . I hear they are lighter and run great . I wouldnt expect less from the largest internal combustion engine maker on the planet!
But for now , our 4 stroke fave is Suzuki.
The sleeper of the bunch that we sell is Nssan and Tohatsu [identical except for a sticker and 3% for the Nissan name ].They are simply the best value on the market . They build a very E Tec like, 2 stroke motor called the TLDI .Its been running trouble free for us for years. They build a great product but are horrible marketers .
There is a friendly dealer point of view on the motor wars .
Marc

[Sawdust]

Marc,

Agree on Nissan/Tohatsu - I use em for kicker/trolling motors. We have plenty of trouble with any carb engine up in the NW if they are not run dry after shutdown. The new small orfices and crazy fuel is a real PITA.

My only objection to EFI is not the EFI - just that I boat in a lot of remote (I mean really remote) areas where old gas is normal - and water comes with the gas free. I do use a chamois, and the filters get what's left - usually. Dirty carbs I can do.

Dusty

[Coastie Dory]

Hi Marc, Dusty

I agree with you on the fuel issues. If one does not use stabilizer and use the engine frequently or drain the bowls, carburetors have been a nightmare. Fuel injection has gone a long way to eliminate the problem, but if the owner puts the boat away for a year or more without proper storage then the fuel pumps don't want to run. I have only seen injector issues on one of the Coast Guard SAFE boats that run the 225 Mercury (Yamaha) 4 strokes. Admittedly, the problem is directly related to fuel quality and not varnish or engine builder.

All of our fuel is at least 10% ethanol/chemical cocktail and the stuff barely lasts 3-4 weeks without stabilizer. The smaller the engine, the greater the issues. Idle circuits go first, then the larger circuits follow suit.

When the carbureted Hondas are running right you would never know they were not injected-same with the Mercurys. I think there is no bad choice as long as you accept the limitations and proper maintenance of the respective engine you buy.

Randy.

[tpbrady]

Just a quick update on my ETEC. I've got about 210 hours on the engine now. It has always started easily and run pretty well. After trolling about 5 hours last weekend I had a little misfiring for about 5 seonds when heading back in and then it smoothed right out.

From a HP and torque standpoint, I am always running a little heavy since most of my trips are overnight with two people or day trips with 4, I sometimes wonder what it would be like to run with a different engine. I know what my does, I just don't know what a Honda, Yamaha, or Suzuki would do with the same loading. I guess at the next C-brat gathering, we could try a boat swap and see what happens then everyone gets to see the other and make their own judgment. Maybe something to do at the SBS?

[thataway]

The reason I suggest a 90 is that working the boat over the waves, with one hand on the throttle and the other on the wheel in rough weather, gives you an extra edge in accelleration with the 90. Also with time people tend to put more gear on the boat--as it gets heavier, the boat does not perform as well. Thus although you might use slightly more fuel, the extra power will be worth the better handling.

[Sea Wolf]

[dogon dory]

Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author

[en_pissant]

This question is perhaps not as technical as people are making it.

I've got a 70HP Tohatsu on my 22 angler and would have to say you should go for at least a 90.

I could care less about eeking out another two MPH. I've got it pitched right, and ya I can do 30 mph when conditions are good.

What I do care about is when I am really loaded down. It's tough to get out of the hole, and then hard to maintain a good plane once I am. I'm burning a lot of gas, and pushing a lot of water when this happens.

Last year four of us went out with crab pots, and diving gear for two people (four tanks). Granted this is more load than most people will ever carry on a CD, but I was barely able to plane. 20 more HP would have made a huge difference, especially since it wasn't like I could shift the weight around.

I felt like I was in a fast trawler doing a quasi-plane. I would have handed someone a thousand dollar bill if they could have given me 20 more HP right then and there.

[Sea Wolf]

en_pissant-