Evinrude E-Tech 150 v Optimax 150

[clh3453]

I'm about to purchase a new 22' pontoon (Bennington, or South Bay). The low maintenance, weight of 2 stroke motor appeals to me. I'd be interested to hear thoughts comparing the Evinrude E-Tech 150 versus the Mercury Optimax 150. Any references to direct comparisons would be helpful. Thanks
Clarke

 

[TD_Maker]

Re: Evinrude E-Tech 150 v Optimax 150

Well, I can help you with the Optimax. I have a 2006 150 Optimax, and it is a great running engine. However, it is not an engine that the everyday shadetree mechanic would be able to work on successfully, unlike the Johnson/Evinrude 4cyl I have always owned.

I will tell you this. The Merc will run circles around any 4 stroke 150 out there. I have a friend who has an identical rig as mine with a 4 stroke Yamaha, and the hole shot and top end speed are not even close.

 

[TD_Maker]

Re: Evinrude E-Tech 150 v Optimax 150

PS. Get the Bennington. My dad has a 22' bennington, and he loves the boat. The quality is very, very good.

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: Evinrude E-Tech 150 v Optimax 150

Not sure where the question of a 4 stroke came into this, but if you want an opinion on this board of an E-tec VS. an Optimax, your gonna here E-tec all the way.

The E-tec is one of the best products on the market, probably one of the best engines that's ever been made. The Optimax is an old system that is nowhere near as quiet, efficient or powerful as the same HP E-tec.

If you want the Better engine, go with the E-tec, the Optimax is outdated and won't be around much longer. Merc put all of their eggs in the 4 stroke basket, and their DI 2 strokes were never that good in the first place.

 

[TD_Maker]

Re: Evinrude E-Tech 150 v Optimax 150

My bad. This dude asked the same question on the merc board. I aswered the wrong board.

I do feel compelled to put in my two cents worth however. In 23 years of owning my own boats, all I have ever owned was a Johnson or Evinrude V-4 or V6 engine. Probably the best engine I have owned was a 89 88 spl on a 17 ft Whaler Montauk. The V4 was bullet proof. However, I now have a 21' Bay boat which once had a 150 Johnson on the back. Once I repowered with a 150 Merc, I was shocked with the performance difference. I may not know everything, but iI do know this much. Any 150 from any manufacturer would be hard-pressed to run with the Optimax. I see them all, for I boat on the East Coast of Florida where there are literally thousands of engines to compare with.

Out of respect for this board, I was careful not to compare the 150 ETEC with the Optimax, because each board (merc and Johnson) says their product is the best. Kind of like comparing Ford and Chevy. I did test run the ETEC, but for my pocketbook, the Optimax fit the bill nicely.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: Evinrude E-Tech 150 v Optimax 150

Both engines are solid, lightweight engines with excellent fuel economy. They are definitely complex engines, so weigh your warranty possiblilities when purchasing. You will have success with either. The Opti is a little more complicated as it has both air and fuel injectors, where the etech only has fuel. The opti has a belt driven alternator, the etech does not. I believe the etech (once started) will run on it's own power, I think the opti must have a battery in the system to run.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Evinrude E-Tech 150 v Optimax 150

The low maintenance, weight of 2 stroke motor appeals to me.

I'd be interested to hear thoughts comparing the Evinrude E-Tech 150 versus the Mercury Optimax 150.

The Evinrude E-TEC is so much quieter than the Opti, by a significant margin. That makes a difference on a leisurely cruise.

Both motors are good, but the low maintenance costs and better oil consumption of the E-TEC will pay off in the long run.

A pontoon boat is not easily trailered so you would have to pay more a mechanic to come out and service the motor each time, or rent a trailer and drive to a dealer and put up with the backlog of service.

 

[Bass Man Bruce]

Re: Evinrude E-Tech 150 v Optimax 150

The opti has a belt driven alternator, the etech does not. I believe the etech (once started) will run on it's own power, I think the opti must have a battery in the system to run.

The E-tec has both an alternator and a magneto built into the flywheel. Alternator charges batteries while magneto runs the engine. It will run without a battery.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Evinrude E-Tech 150 v Optimax 150

I'm about to purchase a new 22' pontoon (Bennington, or South Bay). The low maintenance, weight of 2 stroke motor appeals to me. I'd be interested to hear thoughts comparing the Evinrude E-Tech 150 versus the Mercury Optimax 150. Any references to direct comparisons would be helpful. Thanks
Clarke

I have a test report by BRP of a 50 etec on a 2,400 lb.23 ft pontoon.
This motor turns a 13 7/8 X 13 stainless prop at something like 5,375 rpm at over 19 mph.You can imagine what a 150 etec will do.