Thread: Evinrude ETEC or Mercury 4 stroke ???

Originally Posted by MO Slab

I'm leaning towards the Merc 60 4 stroke "Bigfoot"...More torque than the regular,larger gearcase, a little tougher than the regular...I talked to a salesman at Cabala's here in La, he said he sells very few ETEC's.He said the high humidity down South keeps them in the shop....thanks for the info.:D

What Cabala's is licensed to sell "loose engines" of that size? Chris at the one south of Baton Rouge on I 10 said they are not licensed to sell motors over 20 HP of any brand. Why would humidity have to do with it? There's a lot of 2 strokers down here. Just curious

I've heard the ETEC 25hp was the best new 25, with much better performance than the 4 stroke 25's. I've also heard the ETEC 40's were slugs, and would not compare to the 4 strokes in that category. I have no first hand experience here, but just what I heard.

But, I do know a new EFI 115 merc 4 stroke will start like a car, and I still want a 60hp Tiller Handle Bigfoot!

Originally Posted by Drum_Master

I've heard the ETEC 25hp was the best new 25, with much better performance than the 4 stroke 25's. I've also heard the ETEC 40's were slugs, and would not compare to the 4 strokes in that category. I have no first hand experience here, but just what I heard.

But, I do know a new EFI 115 merc 4 stroke will start like a car, and I still want a 60hp Tiller Handle Bigfoot!

I 've heard the E-Tecs run good but....they are the heaviest of the 5 major brands in 40 HP.
Evinrude...240
Suzuki......230
Honda, Yamaha and Mercury...215 (give or take a pound)
I think there is a larger weight difference in bigger HPs but 40 is all I can put on this boat....

There is a difference in the gear ratio too. E-Tec is 2.67:1, Suzuki 2.27:1, and the rest about 2.00:1.

Here is a pretty good comparison of 4 strokes. Granted they are 25hp but a good comparison and on the same hull so true results. Microskiff.com - Four Stroke Shootout I was in the market for a motor last year and was looking at both new and used, the only thing I did not like about the E tech is the location of the brain, it sits directly on top of the motor and heat rises so I believe it is sitting in the worst possible location. Now I am no engineer so that is just my thinking, and that is worth exactly what you paid to read this.

MO Slab...what are you putting the motor on? I've got a Fisher 1610SS with a 40HP 2 stroke.
After hearing all this info what brand are you thinking about? Why?

Originally Posted by barrelslime

I know its not one of your choices, but Iv had 2 yamaha's and just bought my first Merc, this year and I already regret it. Open your horizens. NO 2 strokes................

Why do you regret buying a Merc over a Yamaha? Were they the same HP? On same boat?

I have a 75 optimax (mercury) and love it. Very good on gas and its 5 yrs old and still idles like a 5hp.

Bump this trying to pick between the two motors now.