Opinions on the 115HO vs standard.

[jjapol]

I've got an opportunity to buy a new in box 2009 115hp HO for $500 over a 2010 standard etec. What would you guys do? It's going on a 17.5' Alumacraft. Going to use it for general fishing and pulling kids on the tubes.

Thoughts? Appreciate them all! Thanks!

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: Opinions on the 115HO vs standard.

You can never have enough power

For $500.00 Id buy it just because the cowl has HO on it

 

[jonesg]

Re: Opinions on the 115HO vs standard.

Lets see, price difference is what ? $12K ?
I dunno, its so hard to decide.

 

[bob johnson]

Re: Opinions on the 115HO vs standard.

115 hp is 115 hp.....

are they saying one is more HP??

maybe the rpm band is different....or the gearing is different...

bob

 

[AEROCOOK]

Re: Opinions on the 115HO vs standard.

115 hp is 115 hp.....

are they saying one is more HP??

maybe the rpm band is different....or the gearing is different...

bob

Yeah, I tend to agree... BRP has been using the "HO" designation on their SkiDoo snowmobiles for years but in that application the engine's displacement is preceeds the "HO"
i.e. 600HO / 800HO and the HO versions do in fact have more horsepower than their "Non HO" motors of equal displacement. Since outboards are sold according to their horsepower output, it makes you wonder what the difference is between 2 motors with the same HP when one of them is an "HO"
Not suggesting that there is no difference, but if someone knows what it is please let us know, we are curious.

 

[oldgradywhite]

Re: Opinions on the 115HO vs standard.

I would get the HO

 

[ChrisAG]

Re: Opinions on the 115HO vs standard.

The "115HO" is not the horsepower but the model number. It officially has no horsepower rating.

It is actually more like 126hp, according to the Etec Owners Group site.

 

[jjapol]

Re: Opinions on the 115HO vs standard.

You can never have enough power

For $500.00 Id buy it just because the cowl has HO on it

I was thinking similarly

 

[jjapol]

Re: Opinions on the 115HO vs standard.

The "115HO" is not the horsepower but the model number. It officially has no horsepower rating.

It is actually more like 126hp, according to the Etec Owners Group site.

Chris - Can you post a link to that from the Etec Owners Group site? Thanks

 

[jjapol]

Re: Opinions on the 115HO vs standard.

Yeah, I tend to agree... BRP has been using the "HO" designation on their SkiDoo snowmobiles for years but in that application the engine's displacement is preceeds the "HO"
i.e. 600HO / 800HO and the HO versions do in fact have more horsepower than their "Non HO" motors of equal displacement. Since outboards are sold according to their horsepower output, it makes you wonder what the difference is between 2 motors with the same HP when one of them is an "HO"
Not suggesting that there is no difference, but if someone knows what it is please let us know, we are curious.

This is where I'm not sure what I'm getting.
HO specs: http://www.evinrude.com/en-US/Engines/ETEC_HO/ETEC_115_HO
"Factory Tunes for High Performance", Horsepower not spelled out.

Standard specs: http://www.evinrude.com/en-US/Engines/ETEC_V4/ETEC_115_V4
115HP @ 5750RPM

Here's a setup with a HO on a similar boat to mine:
http://www.evinrude.com/Content/Pdf/neutral/performanceReports/PE652.pdf

Here's a setup with a standard Etec on a similar boat to mine:
http://www.evinrude.com/Content/Pdf/neutral/performanceReports/PE639.pdf

Both boats weigh 100# of each other. The HO is on the heavier boat and shows a top speed of only 2mph above the standard engine.

I do see a difference in engine gear ratios and the HO is 30 pounds heavier. Props appear similar.

It appears that the HO makes more power, but how?

HO displacement: 105.4 cu in/1727 cc
Standard displacement: 105.4 cu in/1727 cc

Smoke and mirrors?

 

[ChrisAG]

Re: Opinions on the 115HO vs standard.

Chris - Can you post a link to that from the Etec Owners Group site? Thanks

Sorry I don't have a specific link, but a search will provide lots of info.

As for the difference between the std. 115 and HO -

The HO is basically a 130, with dual-stage tuned exhaust and cold air intake. Apparently at 4500rpm the exhaust path is shortened, which provides a rush of power up to max rpm.

For some performance reports on similar boats (on the Evinrude site) the difference is 7mph.

 

[jjapol]

Re: Opinions on the 115HO vs standard.

Thanks Chris. I did some looking and placed my order for the HO. We'll see if it was worth the extra $. The boat will be ready in a week. I'll post some feedback.

Appreciate it everyone.

jj

 

[muskrat]

Re: Opinions on the 115HO vs standard.

Ho models are only set up to use xd50 setting,not xd100 setting.

 

[jjapol]

Re: Opinions on the 115HO vs standard.

Holy Cow! This is the quietest motor I have ever owned! As in when it is idling, I've wondered if it is running. Seems to be a speed band around 3500rpm. Definitely a non linear speed increase at that range. Heavier than my Ficht. I sit lower in the back. Trim is much quicker, though I would expect that in a new engine. Seems to splash more. I'm getting water spray in the back of the boat.

It kicks the Alumacraft right out of the water too!

I did not have the GPS with me on the maiden voyage. I'll post top speed numbers after this weekend.

 

[ChrisAG]

Re: Opinions on the 115HO vs standard.

Seems to splash more. I'm getting water spray in the back of the boat.

Maybe the engine is set too low on the transom. You could probably raise it one hole to see if that helps (and perhaps gain 1mph in top speed as a bonus).

What engine did you have before?

 

[jjapol]

Re: Opinions on the 115HO vs standard.

Maybe the engine is set too low on the transom. You could probably raise it one hole to see if that helps (and perhaps gain 1mph in top speed as a bonus).

What engine did you have before?

I'm waiting for the dealer input before moving it.

I had a 115hp Evinrude Ficht previously.

 

[ChrisAG]

Re: Opinions on the 115HO vs standard.

I had a 115hp Evinrude Ficht previously.

I just picked up a 17' Silverline bowrider with 1998 Evinrude Intruder 115 Ficht - the Intruder designation was the "HO" of the day.

Coming from carbureted motors, the Ficht is a dream - great starting, no choke to worry about, no caughing and spitting from the motor as it warms up, great throttle response. I'm sure the Etec is that much better. How would you compare the two?

 

[jjapol]

Re: Opinions on the 115HO vs standard.

I just picked up a 17' Silverline bowrider with 1998 Evinrude Intruder 115 Ficht - the Intruder designation was the "HO" of the day.

Coming from carbureted motors, the Ficht is a dream - great starting, no choke to worry about, no caughing and spitting from the motor as it warms up, great throttle response. I'm sure the Etec is that much better. How would you compare the two?

If the difference between carbureted and the Ficht is 100%, then the difference between the Ficht and my HO Etec relating to performance is about 25%. My HO does come out of the hole faster, but it's hard to put a real number on the gain. Same quick start. No choke / smoke / hassles. Just start and go. Throttle is instant.

I am running oil rich at the moment. The dealer said they programmed that in to the engine for break in. I expect that to go away soon.

They did cut the operating noise in half. Really. This unit is quiet.

3 hours of kneeboarding and tubing at ~3000 rpm = 7 gallons of fuel. That is an improvement over the Ficht. Used to be 8-9 gallons.

Keep your Ficht unit it dies, then get yourself an upgrade. The demise of an oil pump killed our 99 Ficht.