90hp Evinrude E-Tec vs 90hp Yamaha?

[islandgambol]

I'm re-powering my 22ft CD Cruiser and looking for any current thinking on a 90hp Evinrude E-Tec with either a 6hp or 9.8hp Evinrude kicker vs a 90 hp Yamaha with either a 8hp or 9.8hp Yamaha kicker. Thanks!

[Sea Wolf]

islandgambol-

I have a 2005 Yamaha 90 (the first year Yamaha switched over from carburetors to EFI on the 90 4-s), and it's flawless. Still runs like a new car. Turn the key and go, even after setting for months. It's so well made, I wish Yamaha made cars. They do make musical instruments, though, and this motor sings like one.

I also have a Yamaha scooter, and it is much the same. I hold Yamaha on the highest step in the motor technology world, even above Honda and Suzuki, etc.

The Evinrude e-tech is an interesting motor. 2-stroke, EFI, oil injected, and more. The original skinny was that the e-tech 90 was actually about a 107 or so HP motor, which would be nice when you needed the extra push. The 2-stroke motor is said by Bombadier to have more low-end torque, too. When they first came out, there were some problems with them, involving overheating and oil consumption, if I remember right, but I'll let those that dealt with such issues, like Tom Brady, deal with them. They may have been solved by now. The oil required is a special type, since it's going to be burned in the combustion chamber, and its cost needs to be considered vs. oil changes in a 4-stroke.

If it were me, I'd choose the Yamaha kicker, too, partially so I could go to the same dealer for both motors, but also because the Yamaha 8 hp High Thrust motor has been touted very highly as a kicker/trolling motor by its owners.
Definitely get a High-Thrust kicker, as they push relatively large boats much better than those with smaller props, higher gear ratios, and fewer design-specific features.

Nope, I'm not a Yamaha dealer, nor a stockholder, just a avery satisfied Yamaha owner.

Good Luck, whatever you choose!

Joe.

[Chester]

Our 22s were designed when old style lightweight 2 stroke motors were being used and are sensitive to weight on the transom.
The Evinrude weighs 40# less than the Yamaha, enough to be noticeable.

[ghone]

I run a 2010 Yamaha 90 as a single engine boat and what Joe said is my experience. Yami's are workhorses.
George

[PaulNBriannaLynn]

The E-tec is a little more noisy compared to the newer 4 strokes, but has proven to be a reliable engine choice. The noise and vibration have been the only complaints I have heard about them. I've noticed many of them on professional guide and charter boats in the PNW, so they must take a beating and have proven themselves.

I only have experience with the older two strokes. They would load up while trolling, smoke like crazy at startup, foul plugs and leave an oil sheen on the water. After decades of dealing with that, I wouldnt even consider a two stroke no matter how refined they are. I think im a little prejudice though.

[Chester]

For sure the new direct injected 2 strokes are a different animal than the old ones. They are just as clean and efficient as a four stroke.

[SENSEI]

the Sensei has the Evinrude 90 FICHT which is the precursor to the E-Tec and I would not think of any other motor if I was to repower. I like the fact that I can troll for 5 or 6 hours with the FICHT and it never loads up. I am sure the E-Tec would be the same.
I used about 1 1/2 gallons of oil for all the fishing I did last summer. we were on the water at least a couple of days per week for about two months.
it is also very thrifty on fuel.
we would launch in Everett and go down river and South to Mukilteo ferry landing at 4300 rpm and then start trolling back and forth to shipwreck and beyond and back. we would troll 4-5 hours and then run back to Everett and we would use about 6 gallons of fuel.

[A Fishin C]

I was looking a a 23 cape cruiser with twin etec 50s recently. Did some internet research a read numerous posts about fouled plugs and failed computers. I backed out of the purchase because i troll fish a lot.

I personally have had good luck with the yamaha 90. I would go with the 115 yamaha for the extra 30 pounds and a high thrust tohatsu 6 sailpro.

I notice you haven't received a reply from someone with an etec. I think any useful info will come from someone who runs one

cheers

[potter water]

My e-tech, Not on my Dory, has been a true and reliable fishing motor for 4 seasons now. Oil consumption is very small. Many fewer moving parts, now belts or chains. Low end torque is amazing. Sips fuel. Only problem was a factory covered recall on the oil tank.

The lighter weight is a real plus and if I was repowering the dory, I would definitely go with the e-techs primarily because of taking a bunch of weight off of the transom. But the Suzuki's are humming along just fine with only 300 hours on them. So it is unlikely I'll repower in my life time.

The e-tech on my fishing boat does NOT load up or heat up in trolling mode which is 80 or 90% of what I do with it.

[Wefings]

I would go with Yamaha . The 2 stroke horse is dead.
I have sold every motor except Merc . Yamaha has consistently had the best support of any brand at this point in time . The least amount of lemons [for us ]of any brand we have dealt with .And I am not up for a debate on this , just observations. Buy what you like .Support the Marine Industry .
Marc

[williwaw]

I've had my new-to-me 2007 ETEC 115 for about six months now so can make a few observations. Previous boat had a late model Honda 135.

The motor has run flawlessly for me and always starts on the first turn. I did my research before buying the boat and did see the fouling/overheating problem reports but they seemed to be year 1 or 2 issues. BRP took it very seriously and it seems to have paid off. It doesn't seem like there are any more problems with the current motors than any other brand.

I don't notice ANY smoky smell from the motor. I don't know how they do it but it doesn't really smell much different than the Honda. The smoking issue seems to come from two sources: one is that the motor doesn't require any break-in period which they do by controlling the power output and adding a bit more oil during the first few hours of running; the other is that you can use low grade cheap oil (as opposed to the recommended synthetic) and when the motor is set for that it tends to burn more (or so I'm told as I've never done that).

I haven't done any rigorous mileage testing (I'd rather look out the window!) but I have looked at the NMEA 2k EMM output and see that I generally get around 5-6 mpg at 6-7 mph and about 3-4 when up on plane at around 25 mph.

I like that you can install a fuel/water separator under the cowling. Not an advantage if you run a kicker but for a single engine it's nice to have it out of the way.

The alternator output is great. The net output available to the boat is something like 50 amps.

I also really like the 300 hour maintenance interval. It has nothing to do with money, I'd just rather do that kind of then less often (my perfect motor would never require service...).

The ETEC has WAY fewer parts but this may be moot as most people never run their engines anywhere near the hours it take to wear them out. Still... fewer seems better than more.

One last thing, it has a "limp home" mode where it can run at reduced rpm/power for hours without any oil! I hope I never need to experience that but good to know.

Anyway, there's a few items. As others have said before you can't really go wrong. A local dealer that I trusted would probably sway me the most.

Hope that helps.

[journey on]

Just read an article in CycleWorld about injected 2-strokes. They mentioned ETEC and commented that the recommended oil burns in the combustion chamber so there's no smoke.

I would guess that a regular 2-stroke oil doesn't burn completely and comes out the exhaust. At least that's what happened on the 2 strokes I ran is the desert.

Also, the Johnson 2 stroke (that I still have and love,) used a 50-1 mix, due to the fact that they silver plated the lower end bearings. Very, very little smoke. The bikes used 35-1, I didn't care if it smoked.

Oh, by the way, I think all the modern big outboards are great. Good luck with the Honda, but that's what I have.

Boris

[RonMac]

I bought an 90 Etec in 09 the dealer was pushing the Yamaha, he stated that he loved them. I know they are excellent engines and Ive seen why he loves them, he has two or three a day backed into his service bays everyday spring and fall. Every fall I lube the Etec and use the auto winterize function. After 3 yrs I had it service for 350.00 and it hasn't burped , shuttered or hesitated since new. Oil use is very low I top off the oil tank about ever 50 hrs. there is no smoke. Its louder then a 4 stroke but its not unpleasant . It has a steady cadence like diesel and when you punch it it sounds pretty nice, if you like that kind thing.

[Will-C]

I would wonder about resale value. In our travels Yamaha seems to be a pretty popular brand. Ours has been great. The two strokes are lighter but seem more like a race motor. I've had both types of engines and for the way we boat I'll take a four stroke.
D.D.

[Aurelia]

They are all good runners and I only have limited experience running a late model etech but I did notice the elevated noise. Depending on how you use the boat, that noise level could be a problem and I know it is one of my primary considerations for an engine. The maintenance is managable for all engines these days and I see noise as one of the primary differences for the user. Do you have any boating partners that might be annoyed by extra noise? Do you run on plane with the door open alot? What dealers are close to you and are likable?

The Yamaha f70 on our Lund is the quietest motor I have ever used and I have used a few. I wish it was on my C-dory although the Honda 75 is not overly loud either.

By the way I was raised running two strokes on land and water and personally tuned, raced, and rebuilt many of them. I have love for the motors but not everyone adores the "character" and I don't really boat alone.