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  Any Reports of E-TEC at Miami Show ?

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Author Topic:   Any Reports of E-TEC at Miami Show ?
DaveNJ posted 02-15-2004 07:46 PM ET (US)   Profile for DaveNJ   Send Email to DaveNJ  
Does anyone have any firsthand reports of the new Evinrude E-TEC outboards from the Miami Boat Show ?

Were any available on the test ride boats ?

Anxious to hear more on these outboards.

thanks,
Dave

unsinkable_2000 posted 02-15-2004 08:25 PM ET (US)     Profile for unsinkable_2000  Send Email to unsinkable_2000     
Saw a bunch of e-tecs in Syracuse. I got to look at a 50hp and looked at it with the cover off. Interesting, especially the oil reserve. I also was able to get a look at a pair of 75s, one mounted on a big jon boat, pretty much what I expected, slim design, very narrow in width at the front of the cowling and a oversized looking lower unit. I am really looking forward to getting mine mounted. Marina just received it last week and hopefully will get it mounted and post some pics.
AllanR posted 02-15-2004 09:07 PM ET (US)     Profile for AllanR  Send Email to AllanR     
I was able to get a test ride at the Miami Boat Show on a Zodiac Rib/ rigid with inflatable sides which had a 90HP E-Tec on it. I am looking at a possible repower for my 17 Montauk which has the older 2 stroke Johnson 90 on it, and wanted to see how the engine ran. It idles very quitely. It put the boat up on plane easily. with 2 aboard. It cruised at around 23 knots with about 3500-3700 RPM. We did not open it up, but the demonstrator told me it would run up to around 57-5800 RPM. It is very light weight and fuel efficient. They say about twice what the older 2 strokes get. At cruise it was not silent by any means, but it was quiet enough to have a good conversation.
The main difference, beside all of the new technology, is that the 90HP, compared to the old 2 stroke 90, is a 3 cylinder versus the older 4 cylinder. It has less displacement, so the torque is not as strong. But it is clean, clean, and runs very smoothly. I was impressed.
LEEJACKT posted 02-15-2004 10:23 PM ET (US)     Profile for LEEJACKT  Send Email to LEEJACKT     
UNSINKABLE 2000
Mind my asking which dealer you are doing business with?
I went to the Syracuse Show on Thurs. night; talked to a number of dealers, and was disappointed in their knowledge of the e-tec. None had done much homework on this new motor. I gleaned more information from the evinrude brochure.
I am interested in a 90 for my Nauset.

Who's on top of this in the Syracuse Area?

Thanks for some insight.

Jack T.

unsinkable_2000 posted 02-15-2004 10:35 PM ET (US)     Profile for unsinkable_2000  Send Email to unsinkable_2000     
I highly recommend contacting H. Chalk & Son at Fisher's Landing, it is up by Alexandria Bay. The head mechanic is Butch Simpson, you can say you got his name from me (Martin). On a scale of 1 to 10 I would rate Butch's work and reputation an 11. Ask Butch about the etec and he will gladly help you. I can assure you his work is meticulous and his knowledge of outboards the best I have seen. He has helped me numerous times, I bought a Yamaha from him last year, am buying a new e-tec from him for my Nauset and I am having my Frontier 25 sent over to him to fix a nagging problem that no other mechanic has been able to remedy. Please feel free to email me if I can help you in any way possible. Martin
jimh posted 02-16-2004 12:21 AM ET (US)     Profile for jimh  Send Email to jimh     
I think the Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) E-TEC™ engine is an excellent candidate for re-powering classic Boston Whaler boats. I am sorry I did not get a chance to visit their booth at the Miami Boat Show.

These engines were actually "unveiled" at last year's boat show, the 2003 Miami Boat Show.

I like the design approach. Here is what BRP has to say about them:

"The E-TEC low friction design provides boaters with enormous benefits: these engines employ no belts, powerhead gears, cams or mechanized oil pumps. Also, the oil does not need to be changed, providing added savings on expensive oil changes and filters. Oil changes on other technologies can cost several hundred dollars each year."

All of those points make sense to me.

The MSRP for those engines is rather fantastically high, but they seem to be available at very strong discounts, bringing the price back into competition with other power options. I expect that soon we ought to be able to get some first-hand reports about the E-TEC™ engines on a Boston Whaler. Someone has to put a 90-HP Evinrude on the transom of a classic Montauk and tell us about it.

whaler3 posted 02-16-2004 11:11 PM ET (US)     Profile for whaler3  Send Email to whaler3     
The only boat at the show with a e-tec engine was the 90 hp in the water. We went down and listened to it and it is very quiet and smokless. It is three cyl. and runs very smooth. Asked when we would see more hp models and might be next year. Guess the have to get bugs and tests done first. They will be here! We will hve to wait! Lou
ratherwhalering posted 02-17-2004 01:28 PM ET (US)     Profile for ratherwhalering  Send Email to ratherwhalering     
I was promised delivery of my new e-tech in two weeks (1987 17 Montauk.) Once it is mounted (by me) I need to have a pre-start up proceedure conducted by a local dealer. Apparently the dealer must first hook it up to their computer, change the oil setting from standard 2-stroke setting to the special HX100 oil that the engine was made to use, and then check my install (for warranty purposes?). The dealer then begins a specific pre-set start-up sequence that is much like the push button winterizing procedure for this engine. I have confirmed the need for this service with the factory reps. After that, its full speed, and I'll post my numbers. I just installed a CMC 4" set back bracket, so these numbers may be a little different that a standard type of install.
Mike Brantley posted 02-17-2004 02:08 PM ET (US)     Profile for Mike Brantley  Send Email to Mike Brantley     
Uh, oh. This is the first I've known about this pre-startup procedure business. The high-volume dealer in Georgia that I'm getting my E-Tec 50 from (see thread in Performance) called today to say my motor has arrived from the factory and would be headed down to me today or tomorrow by freight to my workplace loading dock. My plan has been to have my usual mechanic hang the thing on my transom and connect my new controls and gauges.

But he's not the sort of operation that would have Bombardier computer hookups and software. I may have a problem. I wonder if the pre-start procedure is the same thing as might be done after running the engine again after having initiated the winterization process? The latter is something the motor owner is supposed to be able to do without taking it in for servicing, right? Do you know how much your local dealer will charge you for checking your work (like you would screw it up!) and initiating the pre-startup procedure?

What route did you take to speak to factory reps? E-mail or phone? Can you point me in the right direction? Thanks!

By the way, the fellow who sold me my engine mentioned today he sold a 90hp version to someone in California who frequents this Web site. Could that be you?

I hope we're both enjoying our new E-Tecs soon!

ratherwhalering posted 02-17-2004 02:35 PM ET (US)     Profile for ratherwhalering  Send Email to ratherwhalering     
From the Evinrude Web Site:

XD100 OIL
With the release of the Evinrude E-TEC outboard
engines, we’re also introducing the XD100™ oil.
This is a premium synthetic formulation that
delivers ultimate performance while providing
the opportunity to reduce oil consumption.
Only authorized dealers can program the
Evinrude E-TEC EMM to use XD100. Once programmed, customers can cut normal oil consumption in half as compared to using conventional oil. (Based on recommended oil consumption in competitive maintenance schedules.)
The XD100 gallon retails for $34.98 (US) and
$54.25 (Cdn). Over time, this results in
significant cost savings for your customer.

I was at my local OMC shop a few weeks ago, and ran into a real live factory rep, who was out training the dealer's mechanics. He didn't go into detail about what was involved, but just reccomended that I have the shop inspect my install while they were reprogramming the engine and conducting the "start up" procedure. He said it was a 1.5 hour job (max), including the inspection, reprogramming, and pre-start-up sequence. Was this a BS attempt to involve the dealer in the install? I don't know. Dealers stand to lose income with no scheduled maintainance for 3 years, and this may a concession. I am certain, however, that a certified dealer is needed for the reprogramming. I really have no idea what is involved in the pre-start up procedure, but was told by the factory rep that is was "similar" to the winterization process.

Call Customer Support Services at 847-689-7090.

I believe you can still run the engine with standard oil, as described in the owners manual, however I'm told you cannot run the XD100 when the engine has not been programed for it, and vice versa, for any extended period of time.

...and yep, I'm the guy from California that won't quit bugging Will for a delivery date!

Mike Brantley posted 02-17-2004 02:57 PM ET (US)     Profile for Mike Brantley  Send Email to Mike Brantley     
OK, that makes me feel more confidant in my plan. I know reprogramming the computer for the new oil is something that will require a special trip to an authorized service place. I'm planning to run regular oil for the time being.

Before I get panicky about anything, I'm going to read the manual when the motor comes. It's not available somewhere as a PDF file, is it? I've been able to download manuals for my GPS unit and VHF radio from manufacturer Web sites, but I haven't spotted anything like that on the Evinrude site.

My sales guy at Custom Marine in Statesboro, Ga., is Brad. If that's the same place, he's one of Will's colleagues.

ratherwhalering posted 02-17-2004 03:03 PM ET (US)     Profile for ratherwhalering  Send Email to ratherwhalering     
Mike, I'm not aware of any public (or private) posting of the owners manual for any e-tec engines yet. I have the same plan, to read it cover to cover, before unpacking the engine. BTW, I was told by another local dealer that proper routing of the wiring harness, inside the engine coweling, was tricky.
Mike Brantley posted 02-17-2004 03:20 PM ET (US)     Profile for Mike Brantley  Send Email to Mike Brantley     
Thanks for the tip about careful wiring harness routing. Here is a link to a photo I snapped of a 50 E-Tec with the lid off...

http://www.thevideojunkie.com/boating/e-tec1.jpg

If I get into trouble, I'll go knocking on the door of the guy who bought this motor and inspect his installation closer. He hooked everything up himself, now that I think about it, so I know it is possible. He bought his 50 from a dealer in Mississippi, and that particular dealer told me they sold this guy the very last Evinrude they are allowed to sell without an installation. I couldn't afford to get my motor from that dealer, but I at least bought a propeller off him.

Not sure if you can see enough of the wiring in this photo, and your 90 might look different anyway. I'm looking forward to seeing your performance data. I know there are a lot of 17-foot hulls out there that the motor you picked is likely to be perfect for.

newportguy posted 02-17-2004 05:13 PM ET (US)     Profile for newportguy  Send Email to newportguy     
Hi Guys,

I was at the boat show in Halifax on the weekend. I had a chance to see a 90 hp E-Tec upclose and personal. It is really a very nice looking and compact outboard. I inquired about pricing and was informed that the motor alone would be 10,500 canadian and then we have to add out 15% sales tax to it here bringing it to just over 12,000.00. Whne it comes time to repower my 17' Newport I will definitely think that this would be the way to go....I think the important test, will be this summer when I few get out there and we start getting reports back on how they perform. I epecially like the fact that the oil tank is under the cowl...With Bombardier products in the past you always had to contend with an oil tank. And in a 17' boat floor space is tight. So based on what I saw and in talking to the dealers....I think we have a winner for the repowering crowd. As well I had a chance to see my first new Montauk...I like it. As well while at the show I orderd a new seat from the dealer for my 78 Newport. I have a cooler seat and it is in need of being replaced.. So I am getting a seat that looks like a new seat from a Dauntless.. it will have the same hardware and seat back but will be made by the local Whaler Dealer here. I am looking forwrd to having a back rest !

Larry

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