Etec or Yamaha

[FXRScotty]

My back is healing well and I'm thinking of repowering while the boat is out of the water and there are some killa deals out there and splashing for the fall runs. I've narrowed it down to Etec vs Yamaha. Etec 140lbs lighter & less maint. 5 year warrenty, cost less .Yamaha better gas millage, great record for dependability,can't hear them run, $$$$. I don't anyone having trouble with either of them. What do you cold water guys think? And does anyone have any connections on a good deal & rigging? Scotty.

[Albiemanmike]

I would go 4 stroke all day long the extra money is worth it in my opinion.

[tmack92]

Surely the yamaha, I'll never run anything else again.... 4th year on my motor with 480 hours an not one issue what so ever..... Gas milage is amazing...

I have heard of issues with the Etecs from mechanics I know, but the guys I know with them seem to like them......

Spoke with a harbor master out on the vinyard with a yammy 4 stroke that had 3800 hours and never had a issue with it, thats pretty dam good in my book..

[Regulator 26]

My only experience is with the Yamaha, so I can only tell you how I feel about my engines. I have a pair pf F225 4 strokes. I love them. Quiet to the point that you need to be careful about starting them when they're already running. You can talk easily with the pair running at 4000 RPM. Bought them new with the boat in 03, currently have 1400 hrs on them and only issue was a voltage reg problem the first month. Fixed quickly, and they even replaced the batteries because they had been overcharged. Wasted the money on the extended warranty that was never needed. I had most of the 1000 hr stuff done, and the mechanic couldn't stop talking about how clean the engines were, with virtually no measurable wear in the valve train. Been using Mobile 1 since the 1st oil change and really recommend it, also the ring free from time to time. As for the Etech: You've picked up on all the plusses, but I have a hard time getting past the reality that virtually every drop of the very expensive synthetic oil ends up in the water. Certainly less than the old 2 strokes, but still ends up there.
I've been reading a bit about the new Yamaha 4 strokes just starting to come out; substantially lighter and even more fuel efficient, but lots of new technology for marine engines. I'd Wait and see. Don't know what the long term future of 2 strokes will be, I believe that they're banned in places like Lake Tahoe already, and that situation will probably get worse rather than better in spite of the improvements in technology for them. Good luch with what you choose.

[FXRScotty]

Thanks guys I ran yammy's for years (2 stroke 200's) with little issues. I'm just not familure with the four strokes. See a lot out there and many freinds have them with no complaints but also have several freinds with the etecs that are happy. This is going to be a single motor setup and I want it right. How is the maint. on the yamahas?

[fmoore]

I don't think you can go wrong either way. Just weigh the pros and cons of each and decide what's best for you. I personally will stick with 2 strokes as long as I possibly can. A growling, smoky 2 stroke in the pre dawn hours of the morning is a beautiful thing

[Clint3240]

growling, smoky 2 stroke in the pre dawn hours of the morning is a beautiful thing

Amen

[fonzie]

maintaining a yammi is the key to success, a yammi tech told me that the most important thing with them is to warm them up before dropping the hammer.

EPO's reported a lot of problems with Yammis, the same tech said they'd get a call, and go WOT right away which led to their problems. Now the many of the EPO boats have gone to etec's as they're not as fussy with this type of usage.

I'd vote for 4stroke all the way, no more 50:1 oil mix is a good thing.

Suzuki is another great 4 stroke.

[Sea Draggin]

Suzuki is another great 4 stroke.

X2

Suzuki
Yamaha
Etec

In that order.

[rmoody79]

I have an ETEC with 1100 hrs on it and I have liked it enough that I will repower with an ETEC. So thats my 2 cents. I am not takng anything away from Yamaha, just giving you my experience w the ETEC