Buying New Boat.. Help with Engine Selection/Type...

[TheChad]

Hi All,<br /><br />I am looking into purchasing a new boat, This will be my first boat, but my fauther owned a 14' Aluminum fishing boat my whole childhood.<br /><br />I am looking into probably a Lowe Fish & Ski 17', or a Crestliner Sport Angler 1650.<br /><br />In either case I have been considering what size engine, and what type engine i should get. My fauthers boat only had a 25HP engine, so i don't have experience with anything larger.<br /><br />My thought is a 75-90HP. Probably a Mercury, I'm not speciffic to a Mercury engine, but it seams all the dealers price it with a mercury, so i assume the other manufacturer engines are probably more expensive. Would a 75-90 HP be a good choice? We really don't ski, the most we would probably do is pull a Tube, possibly every once and a while pull a wakeboarder. The rest of the time we would be fishing, and or crusing.<br /><br />After the HP is determined, i fall into the same Question almost every person falls... 2-Stroke, 2-Stroke Direct Port Fuel Injected, or 4-Stroke..<br /><br />I've read alot about 4-Strokes being heavier, and they are, however just compairing Mercury engines, the weight difference is less then 80 LBS. So i couln't imagine that making an extreme difference...<br /><br />The OptiMax is almost as expensive as the 4-Stroke, and to me it would make more since to get the 4-stroke for about $500 more then to get the OptiMax.<br /><br />The main thing that runs in my head is that i Just moved from California to IL, when i left California most the lakes were starting to ban 2-strokes all together, and some would allow 2-strokes, but only the Direct Port Injected 2-strokes. That isn't the case here in IL, however if it goes that direction, i don't want to have to spend another $8000 on an engine in 3-5 years. So i'd rather spend a little more on a 4-stroke now, rather then waste money having to buy a 4-stoke later anyway.<br /><br />I am not objecting to a 2-stroke, To be honest, i've read alot pulling me in 3 different directions... So in the end, i still have no idea which engine to get.<br /><br />Any suggestions, and help you guys can offer would be apperciated. <br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />-TheChad

 

[oceansbreeze]

Re: Buying New Boat.. Help with Engine Selection/Type...

Maybe you'll find some of the answers regarding 2 stroke vs 4 in the thread I started here : <br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=17;t=039139 <br /><br />Some great answers and suggestions...<br /><br />As for HP - if you're looking to fish you can get away with the 75 - depending on how quickly you want to get to your fishing spot. If you plan to pull a skiier or tuber, once in a while, better think about the 90 or better.... I used to ski behind my 1980 Merc 80HP on a 17 foot Glastron, tubing was easy too, but to pull a wakeboard, you will likely want more HP to get out of the hole faster.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Buying New Boat.. Help with Engine Selection/Type...

power the boat at 80% of max hp rating, or more if you can afford it.<br /><br />I would seriously consider the E-tec. No, I would buy the E-tec.

 

[TheChad]

Re: Buying New Boat.. Help with Engine Selection/Type...

It seams most people on this forum are set toward the E-tec. Why?<br /><br />I have not seen anyone that can show Proof as to why it is better, but everyone has an opinion toward it... Is it just because of the manufacturer (Evinrude), and people's likeing toward Evinrude, no matter what product it is?<br /><br />I have to wonder how is it better? With out proof i can only think the opinions toward E-Tec are bias based on the personal experiences with the manufacturer it self.<br /><br />p.s. I'm not saying it's bad, or that it isn't the best.. I don't know.. but if someone is claiming that it is better then another, i want to see proof.<br /><br />-TheChad

 

[Solittle]

Re: Buying New Boat.. Help with Engine Selection/Type...

Chad - You need to follow this forum and look for problems with the E-tec - - - there aren't any. Proof positive will be to see if it lasts for many years like many of the well cared for Johnny Rudes of years gone by.

 

[moderator1]

Re: Buying New Boat.. Help with Engine Selection/Type...

I have to wonder how is it better? With out proof i can only think the opinions toward E-Tec are bias based on the personal experiences with the manufacturer it self.<br />

TheChad, some of us have been following the developement of the E-Tec for 3+ years now, and some of us, such as myself, got the opertunity to run some of the prototypes a few years back.<br />I know of 1 engine in Dillon Colorado that has over 1000hrs on it as of 2 weeks ago...It's a 75HP version, and it's on a rental boat.<br />I have been told by the owner of the Marina that he will never own anything else until something better comes along because it's the only engine in his fleet of rentals that has required ZERO maintenance except PM...<br />He runs both 2 and 4 stroke, including Merc, Honda and J/E.

 

[TheChad]

Re: Buying New Boat.. Help with Engine Selection/Type...

That does give a good + to Evinrude.<br /><br />However I have yet to hear any negatives about merc's. It sounds like this forum is partial to evinrude, and there is alot of research and information about them, but it doesn't sound like many have spend too much time giving any consideration to any other brand, including Merc.<br /><br />I have to say, no matter which lake i go to, i see 10x more Merc's then i do any other brand on any newer (10 years old) Boat. On old boats, i see Johnson's the most, and Yamaha's the next, then evinrudes.<br /><br />If Merc's were soo bad, even on newer boats, you would see people switching to a different engine, and i doubt Merc's would have such dealer support if they were soo bad, because Dealers don't want their customers comming back and yelling at them.<br /><br />I am not bias to any manufacturer, I have emailed the dealers I am considering purchasing a boat from, and am waiting for a reply on the cost of a 90HP E-Tec, instead of the 90HP Optimax. One of the dealers i am considering purchasing a boat from told me since they have started selling Merc's their sales have almost doubled, and they have not had 1 problem with a Merc engine. But they also sell Yamaha, Evinrude, and Johnson.<br /><br />It just seams this forum isn't allowing for a level playing field with other manufacturers.<br /><br />-TheChad

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Buying New Boat.. Help with Engine Selection/Type...

mercury's parent company owns quote a few different boat companys, so gues which motor they are sold with.<br /><br />they own more companies than anybody else, so thats a big reason you see more mercs.<br /><br />boston whaler, sea ray, mako are just a few to wich they own, and if you want their boat, you gotta get their motors

 

[TheChad]

Re: Buying New Boat.. Help with Engine Selection/Type...

That is not true. Mercury owns Crestliner as well, but you can buy a crestliner with Any manufacturer engine the dealer it self sells.<br /><br />That is true of most any boat. If the dealer sells more then one manufacturer engine, you can select any brand/model engine you want. I have been to well over 20 dealers of different boats, 98% of them priced their boats with Mercury's, but all of them would put any brand/model engine they sold on any of their boats.<br /><br />-TheChad

 

[Guest]

Re: Buying New Boat.. Help with Engine Selection/Type...

You should be fine with a 75. My brother has a nice Crestliner and he pushes it just fine with a 80 HP motor. By all means, get either a four stroke or new fuel injected 2 stroke. Believe me, you'll regret it if you don't. I bought a new boat 2 1/2 years ago and got it with a Merc 2 stroke (carbed). I had to trade it! I wound up with an e-tec. <br /><br />the e-tec is a nice motor (mine is a 50 hp). But my bro has a Yamaha four stroke and it is also very nice. I heard a merc 4 stroke running and it sounded equally nice. <br /><br />By the way, the e-tec is not perfect. I really like it but it has a couple of issues. One it vibrates at slow idle speed. Not a ton but more than the four strokes I've been in. Also, I just got back from our annual Canada trip. The starter messed up. It came loose somehow and would not engage the flywheel. Not a major problem. They're just not the perfect motor some say they are. <br /><br />hope this helps. Good luck.

 

[TheChad]

Re: Buying New Boat.. Help with Engine Selection/Type...

Thanks Bill!<br /><br />That information is actually very helpfull.<br /><br />I apperciate the honesty all around.<br /><br />You said you had a 2-Stroke Merc and had to trade it, Was there a problem with the motor, or you just wern't happy with the performance?<br /><br />On the 4-stroke experiences you've had, have you noticed any lack of power, either off the line, or top end? <br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />-TheChad

 

[moderator1]

Re: Buying New Boat.. Help with Engine Selection/Type...

TheChad, you have received comments from nearly every forum location on this board that pertains to your issues...<br />It has been said, and is well known, a 4-stroke will not develope the power of a 2-stroke.<br />The 4-strokes have an RPM range in most cases higher than 2 strokes to get the same power "rating".<br />This forum is not biased torwards Evinrude, or any brand for that matter.<br />You have 3 threads going that have all turned into your assumption we all are biased boaters.<br />Your questions have been answered and you insist on asking the same questions again, and these threads are getting real close to a troll from my point of view.<br />You have responses from some of the sharpest people in the boating Industry today, and many of them experts in their field, beyond what most dealers are capable of.<br />Take their advice, or leave it, but please refrain from the repetitive questions that have been answered with what may not be the answer you want to hear.

 

[TheChad]

Re: Buying New Boat.. Help with Engine Selection/Type...

moderator1:<br /><br />I want to hear the truth, but any time someone makes a claim i ask for proof. Weather its boat engines, electronics, etc.<br /><br />I'm sorry if i have offended anyone.<br /><br />I have been vising many posts, though only a couple are actually 'mine'. I asked the questions a few different times in the different posts, because there are some other people in the other posts, and i'd like to grasp their opinion as well, I am trying to do all my research BEFORE jumping in.<br /><br />You have to give me credit for that, that's more then most people would do.<br /><br />I do not know anyone on this forum yet, so i do not know their 'status', I don't know if they are a master of their trade, or even what their trade is, or if they are just an avrage Joe. That is why i try to get input from as many different people as possible.<br /><br />Thanks for the help,<br /><br />-TheChad

 

[moderator1]

Re: Buying New Boat.. Help with Engine Selection/Type...

TheChad, Not a problem to be "Sure" of what you want to purchase.<br />I feel the members that have responded have done so honestly, and knowing those members, I believe in what they say.<br />If you wish to ignore "my" advice, that is fine.<br />One member has stated it doesn't matter what you tell someone if they don't want to hear the truth....I want to make sure that isn't the case here, just try and keep the questions you are asking pertaining to the same issue, in the same thread.<br />I don't think you have offended anyone, but you've been given some very sound advice.<br />Continue on....

 

[Mercathode]

Re: Buying New Boat.. Help with Engine Selection/Type...

Power you new boat with the max recomended power!