Suzuki vs E-tec

C

curioustraveler

New member
Hello C-Brats.

Assuming all else is equal, boats are in the same condition (19), similar maintenance history, and I have a dealer nearby that services both, what would you go with?

2006 Suzuki 4 stroke 90 or 2008 E-tec? The Evinrude is several thousand more but it's a couple years newer boat and motor - also has a permatrim.

This is for recreational cruising. Not really concerned with top speed or getting on plane a couple seconds quicker. Of upmost importance is reliability and ease (cost) of maintenance.

Thanks.
 
curioustraveler":2x8cpoxr said:
Hello C-Brats.

Assuming all else is equal, boats are in the same condition (19), similar maintenance history, and I have a dealer nearby that services both, what would you go with?

2006 Suzuki 4 stroke 90 or 2008 E-tec? The Evinrude is several thousand more but it's a couple years newer boat and motor - also has a permatrim.

This is for recreational cruising. Not really concerned with top speed or getting on plane a couple seconds quicker. Of upmost importance is reliability and ease (cost) of maintenance.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

The first gen. E-tec's were not very good motors. The new series E-tec are great. I would go with the Suzuki over the 2008 e-tec. :wink:
 
Salmon Fisher,

I wonder if that's something I could have a surveyor look for? Honestly though, I'm expecting possible problems with any engine. It's one of the reasons I keep coming back to C-Dory's. If/when I have to repower, it'll be much less money than replacing a 150 or 200 on the back of most walk-a-rounds.
 
I bought a 25 cdory in 2017. Had 2 2007 90 hp etec s on it. Only issue I had was one fuel injector fail. Had all 6 injectors cleaned by fuel injector man in Naples fl. Last month. So shouldn’t have any more issues. So I’ve been told the 07s are good motors if maintained. Have served me well
They are lighter than others and have a lot of power.
There is an etec owners group or forum which is very helpful
 
The Suzuki corrosion problem is that they used a steel plug in an aluminum casting. That was corrected from 2008 on. Many of the pre 2008 motors had that plug replaced and are Fine. If they have been used extensively in salt water and not well rinsed after each use, the plug and surround may be so corroded that it cannot be replaced. I am aware of some of these areas which have been repaired by a good welder.

I would want to have the engine checked by a good mechanic.
 
Thanks everyone. I just called the broker. The boat's been maintained by a professional shop so I'll check with them and also have the engine looked over again if I decide to move forward with this one.

Any more thoughts on an E-tec?
 
This is what I know about the Etecs:

The original two stroke alternative to the four strokes was the Fitch motor developed by Evinrude. That was a disaster. Evinrude solved most of the Fitch's problems and came out with the Etecs. These were reasonably successful and competed well with contemporary 4 strokes. They were noisier and burned more fuel than the 4 strokes but being a 2 stroke they were somewhat lighter and had great hole shot torque.

In recent years Evinrude came out with the Gen 2 Etecs, but only for 150+ hp engines. The G2s were a significant improvement and compete with the best 4 strokes on fuel economy. They still are a bit noisier, but by a few dB- not so much and probably not even noticeable. Maintenance requirements are particularly simple- no oil changes for example, just add oil every 200 hours or so.

Unfortunately after years of promises there is no immediate hope of a G2 115 hp engine or less.

So the Etec you are considering is a bit newer than the Suzuki and maybe enough to offset its weaknesses....or not, and then you have the corrosion problems of the Suzuki discussed above..

David
 
David, Evinrude has recently done just that, released a G2 3-cylinder at 115, 140, and 150hp. I have no experience with these motors but do a search and you will find lots of online discussion about the new series.
 
had an etec on my old whaler. ran like a bat out of hell. Their a really fine tuned engine. They'll either run or they wont. They don't like running at low speed so if you do a bunch of trolling this isn't the one for you. The Seattle fire department hates theirs cause of how much slow putting they do... lots of issues.
 
I have a C Dory 19 with an E-tec 90 0n it, and a Macgregor with a Suzuki 70 4 cylinder, same block as the 90.

The Suzuki is much quieter than the E-tec, but weighs a lot more than the E -tec. If the motor your looking at is one of the ones that has the corrosion problems, then that's a deal breaker for sure.

My 2006 E-Tec has about 700 hours on it and I have spent about $5000 on maintance and repairs over the last 12 years. Boating can be expensive. I like the E-tec because it is about 50 lbs. lighter than the Suzuki and lighter is much better on the CD 19. I have my motor set to the 100 to 1 oil setting for synthetic oil, and about one half of my hours are at trolling speed, it doesn't smoke, but I change my plugs about every 75 hours. The end of the plugs burndown and when the gap gets to big the engine will start to run a
bit ruff.
I love my CD 19 Angler and use it all the time for fishing, crabbing, and shrimping in the San Juan islands, but why are you wanting to buy a fishing boat to do recreational cruising. I know some people do use the 19's and 16,s for cruising, but a CD 22 cruiser would probably work twice as well for cruising as a CD 19 Angler.
 
David,

How's your luck been with the Suzuki?

You're correct...the 22 is a better boat for cruising. We have specific reasons we're looking for a 19 though.

Also, I'm sending you a PM.
 
The 2006 Suzuki 90 is one of the series (90,115 and 140) which has a corrosion problem with an iron plug in the aluminum housing. Although Suzuki never rally admitted the problem, it was solved from 2008 on by eliminating this plug. If you can back the iron plug out, and replace it with an aluminum plug or hole saw out the plug and have a 1" aluminum piece of rod welded in the hole, the problem is solved. Other wise these engines are great.
 
curioustraveler, My Suzuki is a 2011, I have had it for about 3 yrs. Its on the back of a sailboat so I have only put about 25 hours on it, been doing to much fishing. The only things I have done to it are change the oil and the zinks. There are 5 zinks on it. One under the water intake strainer,
one on the bottom of the mounting bracket, and 3 in the water jacket between the cylinders accessed from the port side of the engine.

If you get one of the CD19's,make sure it has trim tabs on it, they are a must have item. If you get fog where you cruise, you will want radar. Also check to make sure the surge breaks, tires, bearings and lights on the trailer are good. good luck.
 
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