2001 Evinrude Ficht engine 75 hp

[AquaNewbie]

I just bought a donor boat with a 2001 Ficht Evinrude engine that has only been run in freshwater and likely has very few hours on it.
I have been told that the engine runs and it looks clean.

Does anyone have any experience with this engine?   I'm considering hanging it on a Aquasport 170 to replace the Evinrude 65 hp.  My only reasons for doing this would be increased reliability (?) and better fuel economy.  IE, fewer fill ups to make long runs.

From what I have read, by 2001 the Ficht issues were pretty much ironed out on the smaller 75hp engines.

Is this a dumb idea? 

Dave

[wingtime]

That Fichtner should be just fine. Be sure to run the Evinrude XD50 or even better the XD100 oil in it. Also look into any service bulletins that might be applicable to that motor. There might be some upgraded spark plugs, plug clocking instructions etc. The best thing you can do for that Fichtner is run the crap out of it. DFI two strokes run very lean and will get carbon build up if you idle them around a lot (all makes of DFIs do this).  Not sure what year your 65 hp is. If it is newer than 1996 it may have the MWS style wire harness and the Ficht will connect right up to it. (If you have a system check gauge you have MWS)