What engine do i go with ???

[fitz73222]

I would tend to listen to anyone who makes a living using one of these engines. Overwhelmingly, the marine patrol, dock builders pushing barges and crabbers down here are running some variant of a 2 stroke; either Optimax or ETec. I personally know a marine patrol officer who runs an ETec and it spends lots of time in the shop for fuel related issues but he says the servicing dealer is a chump who maybe incorrectly servicing the engine. Thats one issue that needs to be addressed when selecting an outboard and that is who is your dealer? Are they established, educated and professional? If you plan on buying a bootleg in the box outboard from a distibutor 500 miles away to save $800 just make sure you have a local dealer that is capable of servicing it. That Ship Shape episode I referred to earlier were doing a valve lash adjustment on a V6 Yamaha 4S and it is not something you are going to do at home. The tappets are non adjustable and the valve train must be shimmed in order to get the correct lash adjustment using factory gages and procedures. I've assembled enough 2 and 4 stroke engines to know this is not for the average guy. The other thing to consider is E15 or greater is around the corner, there is no stopping it as the middle east continues simmer. Which engine manufacturer is working on a solution for the future? Right now your new engine warranty is void if you run it.

[Aswaff400]

I would tend to listen to anyone who makes a living using one of these engines. Overwhelmingly, the marine patrol, dock builders pushing barges and crabbers down here are running some variant of a 2 stroke; either Optimax or ETec.]

the FWC patrol boats that get fuel from us all run 200 to 250 optimax's, the guys that ran them said they have optimax's on almost all boats that they run in this area.

i noticed friday when 6 Coast guard patrol boats (all 22 whaler's) came in at the same time for lunch, they all had 150 or 200 Evinrude Ficht's

the RIB's the CG have here are running honda 4s's

homeland security/border patrol are running 300 or 350 verado's and 250 optimax's

[saltfly]

First off remember. All of those patrol boats, are bought by Gov. agency’s. Not by the people who run them. What do they care. What engines on the boat. They also do not have to repair them. So I will go with any motor that is affordable, gets good fuel economy and is the easiest for me to learn to repair. Since it would be me buying and repairing it. Just a thought.

[MarshMarlowe196]

Mercury has a very nice direct-to-government (skip the marker upper dealer) sales program, which would explain seeing so many American-made Mercury outboards on boats operated by government/municipal agencies.

http://www.mercurygovsales.com/about/

Bombardier has a program similar to Mercury's as well, but the details aren't posted on the net, simply a phone number.  The Jap-builts don't have a program like this, but government agencies typically get discounts on outboards of their choice through dealers, though probably not as deep of a price cut.

My guess is this is similar in law enforcement on the road too - I see Chevy Impalas, Ford Mustangs, Ford Crown Victories, and the occasional Chevy Tahoe.  Now everyone knows Ford is better than Chevy, so the government agencies are almost assuredly buying on price and delivery rather than which brand they deem is better.  The theme is American-made (Canada is still America, right?)

[gran398]

Now everyone knows Ford is better than Chevy....


I was with you all the way there, 'till this blasphemy....

[MarshMarlowe196]

Now everyone knows Ford is better than Chevy....


I was with you all the way there, 'till this blasphemy....

   

That was a joke for me and Aaron  

[gran398]

Somehow...knew that... That's one discussion best-suited for a redneck bar on Saturday night...

And here's our waitress:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ek5O2C3F5aY/T ... poster.jpg

THAT'S trouble!

[Capt. Bob]

I may be wrong but I believe she's makin' a Mopar look good.

Found On the Road Dead

And my favorite...

F--ked On a Real Deal  

[feeling2damgood]

i may be out of line just jumping in on the forum, but wasnt that a dodge charger she was sitting on 69' if i remember right.
one of the best mad muscle cars ever made  

[gran398]

Gonna tell u what...that "Dukes of Hazzard" sequel part III was fine cinematography.

 

[Capt. Bob]

but wasnt that a dodge charger she was sitting on 69' if i remember right.

That's what I was referring to, hence Mopar.

"I may be wrong but I believe she's makin' a Mopar look good."

[feeling2damgood]

sorry about that capt.bob i had alil brain fart on the mopar deal. havent heard dodge called that in a long time.

[Capt Matt]

Your right every 800-1000hrs the compressor will go on a opti-max, I have replaced so many that I know the sound to listen for 20-30hrs before it locks up. You can pretty much mark your calendar.
The key to getting the longest air pump/compressor life is having someone service it who knows how to clean the filter/screen for the compressor very few outboard mechanic's know its even there. This keeps the compressor cool. After putting more than 8000hrs on opti max's I have never blown a lower unit or a powerhead, only compressors and little crap breaks. They are about as bullet proof of a outboard thats made.
With your average boater only running a 100hrs a year that roughly 8 years of no major problems

Every 100-200hrs at least one fuel injector will go on a e-tech, and they are not cheap either.

I still would not buy a verado even though I'm a mercury man, the superchargers go out and the fuel economy is really not that great.
Capt Matt

[Aswaff400]

I may be wrong but I believe she's makin' a Mopar look good.

Found On the Road Dead

And my favorite...

F--ked On a Real Deal

seein how my f150 spends more time off pavement than it does on pavement, this one works for me:

Found
Off
Road
Dominating

 

[tonycastro1]

Update,,, picked up a set of yami's 150 HPDI. low hours (440) hours.  Also changed the rub rail,dash,toggle switch's,fresh water,rewired moved batts to under console and changed ladder. Im very happy with the performance,its a whole new boat. i will add new pics soon. what a difference with twins. top speed so far 49 mph... At 3500 rpms im doing 25 mph and burning 13 gph. very happy...  

anyone with a ficht get rid of your headache,,,