I have to ask...

[jaycal3]

Whats with all the E-Tec haters???

I am looking to repower my boat with a 200-250hp motor.  I was looking seriously at the new E-Tec's after attending a couple boat shows and hearing what all the manufacturers and vendors had to say.  I have seen a few threads on here with members bashing them... please educate me as to why.  Is it just because its not a Yami or Merc?  Pro's and con's would be good so I can make an educated decision.

Thanks,
J

[seabob4]

...and there are Merc haters, and Zuke haters, and Yam haters...hell, even a couple of Tohatsu haters out there!

Remember, each company sells thousands and thousands of motors every year.  A certain percentage of each companies motors are going to be dogs, right out the door, and will remain dogs for their lives until they hit the scrap heap.  Those are the ones you hear about.

When was the last time you read a thread, "Gosh, my (plug in name of manufacturer here) is just frickin' awesome!!"

Just sayin'....

[jaycal3]

Fair enough and well stated... I just didnt know if I was missing something?!  When you (read: me) are about to drop a huge chunk of change on a motor, I just dont want to make a bad choice.  5yr warranty, 3 years no maintenence, self fogging, no break-in, one turn starts... I dunno. All sounds good to me!

[sealion2288]

I couldn't agree more with Bob. I believe your dealer is more important than the manufacturer on a new motor. The dealer can go a long way in making sure any problems you may have are resolved.

[Circle Hooked]

Quick little story to Bob's point, back in 95 me and my buddy bought matching 204 Anglers about a month apart, i got mine first, mine had a 150 Mariner his a 150 Merc, same motor to the tee, mine was the biggest piece of junk, every time out it seemed to have a new problem, nothing major but problems, it lived in the shop during the week and after about a year i traded it for my AS, well my bud never had a problem at all, in fact he just sold the boat about 2 years ago, still running great   I'm a firm believer in don't buy something made on a Friday or a Monday.

[seabob4]

Scott, and sealion, have made great points.  I used to wonder about those who bought Mariners (same vintage as Scott's) rather then Mercs, as they were, as he said, IDENTICAL!  Guess they liked the gray paint...

Like sealion said, it's the dealer, and more importantly, the service department, that will make the best out of any motor.  Staff fully trained, been in business for a long time, long standing relationship with the manufacturer...that all counts.  When a 5-star rated dealership and their REAL factory trained mechanic tells BRP/MERC/YAM that this powerhead is junk, chances are the manufacturer is going to listen...

Sorry Scott, no offense to you and your Mariner. Paint it black and she was a Merc...

[seabob4]

Just a small de-rail, alluding to Mercs/Mariners.  Many earlier Mariners were actually Yamahas.  The motor Scott is referring to is to a T a MERC...

[Circle Hooked]

The Mariner did have a different shape cowl  
And the first Merc 4 stokes were Yams too.

[seabob4]

The Mariner did have a different shape cowl  
And the first Merc 4 stokes were Yams too.

Hence the term Mercaha...

And we all know about Johnzuki's...  

[Circle Hooked]

That's like when i worked for Volvo, they were owned by Ford but S 80's had GM trannys.

[Capt. Bob]

One word for you.

Sailboat.

[Capt Matt]

#1 E-tech basher here

All the Monday and Friday E-techs most have been sold out here on Pine Island, I'm yet to met a e-tech owner out here that likes there motor period.
Want to buy a motor from a company that also makes Snowmobiles and Jets or a company that just concentrates on making only one thing well then buy a Mercury.
No matter how good the service center and tech's are it still boils down to how the company warranties the product when there is a issue and all outboards will eventually have something break.

Top of the line boat companies either power with merc or yamaha for a reason, small boat companies use e-tech as they offer the best deal to the manafacturers.  
Google:  yellowfin, contender, boston whaler, grady white, Intrepid Sea V, or any top of the line production boat, do you see a single one with a e-tech?  Ever wonder why, simply put these companies care more about there customers than making a few extra dollars on a outboard.

I'm on my 5th brand new opti and have always ran them 1500hrs plus. I have never had a lower unit or powerhead blow up, thats a pretty good average. My business requires a motor that runs everyday, I live and die by my warranty and how quickly the motor is back in service when it does break.
5 people I know well that have owned brand new e-tech's all have had major problems and warranty issues that BRP won't cover. Either they have sold the motors or are currently trying to unload them.
You make the call,  you might get a mid week motor.
Capt Matt

[c master]

It's funny how times change and brands go in an out of favor in different regions.  The Texas coast was always Johnson/Erude territory until Yamaha came along.  Mercury products were more popular for fresh water.  Today, between the two, I see more Optis than Etecs on the bays around here.   Yamaha is still very strong...I don't have any numbers of course, but I'd guess they've got 40% of the Texas saltwater market?  They support the guides well so that probably has something to do with it.  Also has to do with how many dealers carry a brand...which is something to consider as your motor rarely breaks down at home or near your "home dealer".  Most repairs I've had were done on Saturday afternoon in a coastal town...good to have dealer support in those small markets.

What does Consumer Reports say?

[sealion2288]

My uncle buys me a Consumer Reports subscription every year. I do not like Consumer Reports for most ratings. I have never, ever, seen them rate outboards, boats, etc.

[Circle Hooked]

Yamaha makes a great motor, but the fact is they have the best Marketing Campaign out there, open any fishing mag or watch a fishing show and it's flooded with Yamaha ads, I think that's why you see so many, they are the cool motor to have, I think the Marketing is the first and foremost reason all the boat builders use them, not reliability, who wants to buy a boat without the mighty Yamaha on it.