Forum: WHALER
  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: Whaler Performance
  Repowering with E-Tec

Post New Topic  Post Reply
search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Repowering with E-Tec
ebwalk posted 12-28-2012 12:56 PM ET (US)   Profile for ebwalk   Send Email to ebwalk  
Here are the prices I got from a local dealer to repower my 13’ Whaler with a new Evinrude ETEC.
30HP Engine with power tilt and trim: $4600 Rigging: $700 Labor: $680 Tax: $318 for a total of $6298. Ouch!
25 HP Engine: $4300 with power tilt and trim for a total of about $5800.
Evinrude has programs like free rigging for 40HP or higher that would make the cost of the 40HP about the same as the cost of the 30HP but I don’t need the power and the weight is more. The 30HP weighs about 180 lbs while the 40 HP weighs about 240 lbs.
The reasons for repowering, in order of importance, is to get higher reliability, better fuel efficiency and ease of use (tilt/trim). Are there more cost effective options? I am not a great mechanic and I really want an engine I can depend on.
Thank you!
Peter posted 12-28-2012 04:20 PM ET (US)     Profile for Peter  Send Email to Peter     
Labor charge seems high. Assuming $100 per hour, that's almost 7 hours of labor to install a 30 HP outboard motor? Back when I had my 13 and a clamp-on 120 lb Evinrude 35, installing the outboard including connecting it up to the remote controls and steering was about a 20 minute job, 30 minutes if I bolted the lower part of the transom bracket.
ebwalk posted 12-28-2012 06:10 PM ET (US)     Profile for ebwalk  Send Email to ebwalk     
Thanks for that observation. I am going to check out Mercury and CPO (Certified Previously Owned) Mercury as well.
Peter posted 12-29-2012 07:50 AM ET (US)     Profile for Peter  Send Email to Peter     
The brand of outboard should have little impact on the amount of labor required to install it and make it operational.

As another datapoint regarding effort, years ago I had a 15 foot Whaler Super Sport that came with a Johnson 48 SPL. I wanted to repower the boat and found another older 15 foot Whaler with a nearly new Yamaha 70. I bought the older 15 foot Whaler did a motor and rigging swap and then sold the older 15 foot Whaler. The entire motor/rigging swap between the two boats took less than 8 hours. I'm not an outboard mechanic.

Checking prices on-line, the price for the E-TEC 30 seems to be in-line with prices for other brands. For example, one website advertises a Mercury 30 FourStroke EFI, long shaft, power trim/tilt for $4,525. Interestingly, the price of the 30 HP models are about the same as the 40 HP models.

Like the E-TEC, the Mercury 30 HP FourStroke has a fuel injection system that does not rely on battery power for its operation. That means that the motor can be pull started if the battery fails. That's a nice feature but go try pull starting both the Mercury and the Evinrude. You should find that there is a significant difference in effort with the Evinrude being easier due to its low compression 2-stroke, each cylinder firing on each stroke design.

The E-TEC 30 has 35 cubic inches of displacement. The Mercury 30 FourStroke only has 32 cubic inches of displacement. The E-TEC with its larger displacement and being a 2-stroke should outperform the Mercury 30 FourStroke in acceleration and load carrying capacity. A 4-stroke outboard typically needs about 20 to 25 percent more displacement than a 2-stroke to match the 2-stroke's mid-range power curve which is where most outboards are operated when on plane. What that means is the E-TEC is less likely to get bogged down by weight loaded in the boat.

Jefecinco posted 12-29-2012 10:10 AM ET (US)     Profile for Jefecinco  Send Email to Jefecinco     
My 1981 13 Sport is powered by a 30 HP four stroke Mercury EFI engine. The Mercury does a good job. I like to go fast now and again and the 13 is fast enough for me with the four stroke. Hole shot is excellent. I have not yet tried the pull start feature.

I can recommend the Mercury for a 13 Sport.

Butch

macfam posted 12-30-2012 08:26 AM ET (US)     Profile for macfam  Send Email to macfam     
ebwalk,
Three years ago, we had a 30 E-TEC w/trim & tilt installed on our 13 Super Sport. We already had BRP controls installed from our previous 40 Johnson.
Installation was about $200-250 by the dealer. This included removing and re-installing the hydrofoil on the anti-ventilation plate. (this was a surprise as I never asked it to be done, but happy it was) Also, a thorough test drive by the mechanic to be sure everything ran well.
They did a nice job for a very reasonable price.
Just had the 3 year service completed. The engine has been trouble free since installation, and provides ALL the benefits you mentioned in your first post.
Work that dealer a little harder. You'll really enjoy the E-TEC.
macfam posted 12-30-2012 08:26 AM ET (US)     Profile for macfam  Send Email to macfam     
ebwalk,
Three years ago, we had a 30 E-TEC w/trim & tilt installed on our 13 Super Sport. We already had BRP controls installed from our previous 40 Johnson.
Installation was about $200-250 by the dealer. This included removing and re-installing the hydrofoil on the anti-ventilation plate. (this was a surprise as I never asked it to be done, but happy it was) Also, a thorough test drive by the mechanic to be sure everything ran well.
They did a nice job for a very reasonable price.
Just had the 3 year service completed. The engine has been trouble free since installation, and provides ALL the benefits you mentioned in your first post.
Work that dealer a little harder. You'll really enjoy the E-TEC.
ebwalk posted 12-30-2012 09:25 AM ET (US)     Profile for ebwalk  Send Email to ebwalk     
thanks for sharing your experiences on both mercury and etec as well as the technical considerations of different engines. Having options will make me a better consumer. I will update the forum when i move on this.
Bob
ronbo404 posted 01-03-2013 11:13 AM ET (US)     Profile for ronbo404  Send Email to ronbo404     
macfam--what type of top end speed do you get on 13-foot Boston Whaler boat with an E-TEC 30-HP?
macfam posted 01-03-2013 08:35 PM ET (US)     Profile for macfam  Send Email to macfam     
Top speed is just about 30 mph, depending on conditions.
I lost only 3-4 mph from my previous set up with a 2000 40hp Johnson 2-stroke. But there are few if any new 40 hp that weigh under 200 pounds, so the 30 was my best bet.

The 30 E-TEC seems to be a perfect match for,my purposes.

ronbo404 posted 01-07-2013 09:56 PM ET (US)     Profile for ronbo404  Send Email to ronbo404     
Thanks macfam

I would be curious to know if anyone put a 40 hp etec on a 13 considering its alot heavier

macfam posted 01-07-2013 10:15 PM ET (US)     Profile for macfam  Send Email to macfam     
There is a 13 Sport not far from my mooring. The 40 E-TEC is so heavy that the much of the lower unit, including the prop is in the water when the engine Is raised all the way up. It sits like that day after day on the mooring. The growth on the lower unit is incredible, affecting the water intakes with marine growth. Not good.
After a decent rain, it's even worse. Not for me.
Peter posted 01-08-2013 06:53 AM ET (US)     Profile for Peter  Send Email to Peter     
The E-TEC 40 is too heavy for a classic 13 hull. When that hull was designed in the 1950s, the heaviest 35/40 HP outboard was about 140 lbs.
Tom W Clark posted 01-08-2013 04:33 PM ET (US)     Profile for Tom W Clark  Send Email to Tom W Clark     
I would choose the E-TEC 30 over the E-TEC 40 primarily because of the weight savings. The gearcase of the E-TEC 40 is the same size as is used all the way up to 130 HP and probably overkill for a 13 foot Whaler.
Powergroove803 posted 01-18-2013 07:33 PM ET (US)     Profile for Powergroove803  Send Email to Powergroove803     
Why pay someone to install a motor and rigging? I started with a bare 63 13 footer hull and added a motor, no feedback steering, and throttle assembly pretty much on my own with absolutely no motor experience ever! I had hardly even driven a motor boat and I was able to read the directions and ask a questions on here and it turned out almost perfect.
I assure you if I can install a motor and steering anyone can, expecially with the CW people here to help.
ebwalk posted 01-20-2013 02:27 PM ET (US)     Profile for ebwalk  Send Email to ebwalk     
You raise a great question! Is there a reason to have a yard install a relatively small outboard? Especially since the more I work on the boat the more particular I get about how I want things to be done. Any comments on pros and cons for do-it-yourself repowering?
My plan is to go to the Atlantic city boat show in a few weeks and see if I can get a good deal
seahorse posted 01-20-2013 09:02 PM ET (US)     Profile for seahorse  Send Email to seahorse     
An Evinrude dealer is required to inspect the rigging of an E-TEC, has to fill out a detailed report and have the customer sign it, plus has to run an initial computer report of the engine before it is delivered. This is required to register the engine with the factory for warranty coverage.
L H G posted 01-23-2013 03:37 PM ET (US)     Profile for L H G    
Like Jefecinco, I recommend you order a super quiet Mercury 30 EFI 4-stroke for about $4500 complete with shipping and no sales tax, bolt it on yourself and hook up the steering and controls. The same steering you have will work, and the Mercury control/cables (about $500)comes with complete do-it-yourself instructions. That way it will be done correctly, as you want it. All that stuff Evinrude requires is not needed at all and just wastes your money, and the quote that you have is very high in my opinion. Begin by bolting the engine on one hole up.
ebwalk posted 01-23-2013 09:02 PM ET (US)     Profile for ebwalk  Send Email to ebwalk     
I will investigate this option. I think I need to move to teleflex steering in either case because I really want power tilt/trim and I read that wire rope/pulley steering won't work if the engine is tilted (loss of tension)
Mercury also has a refurb program where you can purchase rebuilt engines Any experience with that? I haven't gotten details yet on that program.
Thanks for the advice!
My boat is totally stripped of hardware, flipped over, decals removed and top sides sanded to 2500 mirror finish-amazing what a diff that made! Now it only got to a high of 21 F today. Maybe it's time to get a garage heater. I was ok wet sanding in 25 F but can't do fiberglass repairs or bottom paint or much of anything in this weather. I'm soft, what can I say.
L H G posted 01-23-2013 11:24 PM ET (US)     Profile for L H G    
To get Mercury CPO engines, you have to have a Dealer do a search for one, as he is the only one who can get one for you. They are hit and miss, and not easy to find, especially as noted below.

But you just dropped an interesting one on us! If the boat has pulley steering, it most likely has a 15" transom and requires a 15" engine. Mercury does make the 30 EFI with power trim in a 15" model, so you are lucky. In the 40HP range, 15" shaft length is not available. I think you are out of luck with a 15" Evinrude 30 if you want power trim.

It sounds like you have done a great job with the wetsanding. Finish it up by power buffing, with wool pad, using 3M Imperial Compound and Finishing Material (in black and purple bottle). You won't believe the result, then finish with 3M Finesse-it II. It will be better than factory new in finish.

Peter posted 01-24-2013 07:32 AM ET (US)     Profile for Peter  Send Email to Peter     
My 20 inch transom Sport 13 had pulley steering.

Virtually all manufacturers these days require a dealer to verify installation was done properly before they will begin warranty coverage. So ordering a Mercury from out of state, having it shipped, installing yourself doesn't avoid having a dealer be involved. And then when it comes time to have the motor serviced, you are at the end of the line relative to all of the customers that your local dealer has sold motors to. Not being a great mechanic means that you'll be relying on the dealer at some point.

Regarding the Mercury 30, my recollection is that is a model made by Tohatsu and has a good reputation generally. If you are looking for a cut rate deal, you might find a better one by buying the same motor with a Tohatsu label and paint job. See www.tohatsu.com/outboards/30_4st_spec.html .

But either painted Mercury black or Tohatsu blue, that 4-stroke engine only has 32 cubic inch displacement. The E-TEC 30 has 35 cubic inch displacement. The E-TEC being a 2-stroke with more displacement than the Mercury/Tohatsu 30 4-stroke will run circles around the Mercury/Tohatsu. Typically, a 4-stroke needs about 25 percent more displacement to match the powercurve of a 2-stroke. If you will be doing any waterskiing type activities, or plan to load up the boat with 3 or 4 people, the difference in the powercurves would be very evident.

ebwalk posted 01-24-2013 05:12 PM ET (US)     Profile for ebwalk  Send Email to ebwalk     
Like Peter, I do have a 20" flat-across-the-back transom! Thanks for checking.
Am I correct in saying that tilt/trim + wire-rope-pulley steering don't mix well. The only thing i really like about the steering is the chrome bezel which is really in good shape I don't think I will be able to reuse that with the teleflex.
Peter posted 01-24-2013 07:22 PM ET (US)     Profile for Peter  Send Email to Peter     
It was over 30 years ago that I had a Sport 13 with the cable and pulley steering system. The system had springs to take up slack so it would tolerate some changes in operating angle of the motor but not nearly as much as the the Teleflex system. I think Whaler got away from the cable and pulley system for safety reasons. If I were in your situation, I would upgrade the steering.
ebwalk posted 03-23-2013 10:09 AM ET (US)     Profile for ebwalk  Send Email to ebwalk     
Hi All,
Wanted to update the group. My little whaler has a new Etec 30 HP with tilt and trim. It was cold and windy on the Chester River when I sea-trialed this week, but it goes way faster than I want to go, gets up on plane super fast, super quiet, and the balance is better (with the seat moved forward 6" and the battery under the fore seat) but still need to check that out more...which I am looking forward to doing when the weather gets nicer! Thank you all for your opinions and solid advice along the way. I will try to update this once more when I get some performance numbers. Didn't have a GPS when I ran this.
A few pics of the engine and the project here:
http://s1337.photobucket.com/user/ebwalk/library/ 13Whaler_ontheway?evt=email_share&page=1
Bob
gmwerk posted 03-23-2013 11:17 AM ET (US)     Profile for gmwerk  Send Email to gmwerk     
Hi there Ebwalk, congrats for your new engine!

Did you by any chanche know the "real life" weight of that engine?

I have to decide between a Merc 30 (172 lbs) or Merc 40 (216 lbs)but im really worried about overweighting the transom...

Thanks!

ebwalk posted 03-23-2013 01:54 PM ET (US)     Profile for ebwalk  Send Email to ebwalk     
I do not know the precise weight. The two yard guys lifted it off the shipping crate and placed it on the transom...that doesn't narrow it down much. It should be 177 or 181 lbs. The model I bought is E30DPSLAA--which is not in the owners specs for weights. Electric/Rope start, Remote, Power Tilt/Trim. I don't know if they include the weight of the oil in the gear case or the 1.5 qts. of engine oil in the reservoir. If you send me an email, I will send you a picture of the specs page of the manual, if that will help you.
gmwerk posted 03-24-2013 01:23 PM ET (US)     Profile for gmwerk  Send Email to gmwerk     
Thank you very much Ebwalk, thats very kind of you!
I guess every manuf. tell the drain weight.

Thank you!

Post New Topic  Post Reply
Hop to:


Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.