Been using a 90 etec on a stacer 519 for last 3 or 4 years, at the lower rev ranges say under 3k its pretty good on fuel, its quiet, has been almost maintenance free apart from topping up the oil tank, the one problem we had with it was a cut out type switch that wouldnt allow the enegine to rev past 2k i think, is some sort of safety thing i forget exactly now, chivers marine replaced it for free even though it was out of warranty and the boat wasnt even purchased from them. Was bought new and after 3 years had done 297 hours so the 3 year 300hr first service interval worked out perfectly. If your going to be doing alot of trolling these things use almost nothing at trolling speeds. Cant compare to a 4t as i have never used or been in a boat with em, in saying that i have no plans on trying 4t's as im more than happy with the etec. I dont have any fuel figures but i can leave from leuwin boat ramp and go to all the fads travel round a bit more looking for bottom bashing ground and come back to the ramp on about 80/90L.

Reality any outboard that size is going to drink like a fish. It certainly would not put me off buying a boat that I liked though just because it had an etec. I think the technology has been around long enough now that if there were major major headaches then there would be more horror stories. If you are doing a lot of trolling you cannot go past them, but probably will drink a bit more than a similar HP suzuki. Have had the 115(awesome motor) and the 150 etec on different boats over the past 5 years and neither have missed a beat. That said I loved the 115 but swapped the 150 for a 200 yammie.

may use a litle more oil than a smaller unit ,but not by much.big motor big torque so unless you are going to do WOT every where ryan it won't use a lot of fuel. you might get a bit of 2 stroke smell if doing slow speed and the wind is from behind.

and if you are buying from yankee land, like your last boat the warranty may not get covered.

If you would like send us a PM with any questions you have about the E-tec and I will get one of our technitions to answer them for you.

Also I have some very informative dvd's on the e-tecs if you would like I can post them out to you.

Prior had a smelly Johno 2S, so cant compare.

However fished frequently in the last few yrs on Dads boat in Kalbarri with a Honda. He always bragged about the simple start, no noise and economy.

I called him with figures when I was thinking 4S vs ETEC.

Low revs ETECS are awesome, troll for hrs on the smell of a rag.

When I first fired her up, didnt even realize it had started and turned the key again- durhh.

WOT - can have a non ACDC conversation on the boat, not sreaming at each other, and can clearly hear radio, mobile's etc going off. I just love it and ease off maintenance - Awesome.

I cant see myself waiting 300hrs to get a service, I would get to nervous that something might be up, but I have over and over been reassured that this is all thats needed by Darrin at Cobra marine up here in Karratha.

Sounds to good to be true.

Neels

Dont quote me on this Neels but i believe the crank and rods on the 90 are the same as the larger model 115/130, done 297 hrs and waited 3 years and the 90 ive been using didnt miss a beat. Service doesnt consist of to much i would think, plugs, computer tune/diagnostic check/tank test... its an oil injected 2t how much could there possibly be to do so that = cheap services (first service was $515). Would be interested to see how the initial cost, runnning cost and services of a comparible 4t stack up. In the stacer its quite rare you can sit on the limit being a flat bottomed ali but in a narrower heavier glass boat with a deep v i can see how you would be able to push the engine harder more often... for its purpose on the ali the 90 has proven itself.

cheers for the info fellas

i have a 90 etec very quite good on fuel and oil, great performance!!

i also have a 200ho etec very thirsty on fuel (wot 98lt per hr )and loves to drink oil. performace is outstanding.

i ve been told the ho's use more oil etc. but as others have said the bigger the motor the more fuel it will use.

at the end if its a good deal great!

cheers lee

Have been out on a boat with a 300 hp etec and they are not my cup of tea .They are noiser than the four stroke for sure and they do give of fumes.after having a four stroke I could not go back to a two stroke .Ryan take it out for a good run its the only way you will now if your going to be happy or not . The bigger motor will chew threw the fuel when put on a bigger boat say 24fooot. The guy I know has a 24 foot Stipper bloody heavy boat. Out to the 90m and back plus moving around the area for the day he will use 200-230 lt..Shit I can go there three times with my 200hp Honda on that sort of fuel.

theres always someone who gives a bad rap any motor that is running is a good motor the etec is a modern fuel injected motor so your not going to go wrong if you can afford a boat with a 300hp you can also afford to run it and they are no noisier at low speed and top end even 4 strokes make noise at top end its a good motor and if its on a good boat go for it you will be out and back before the honda even gets out of the marina

Just answering his question , They are a good moter and a three year no service great .I will have spent $4200 on services in three years.And that would buy a heap of fuel. lots of people have them and love them .just not me

when you get up to the  big block in the etec the fuel consumption rises quiet a bit. So anything over 200hp will use a fair bit of fuel and oil at a certain rev range... If you have a big enough fuel tank to cover it then its not a problen. As Paul said what you are saving on service costs you can spend on fuel and oil.

thanks again guys , the boat i am looking at is 8m long so i know im not going to get "great" fuel economy with any engine , but i was just looking for some opinions and i am more concerned about any reliability issues and noise.  cheers

At WOT I think the ETEC might be a little noisier than a equavalent 4S. But then I hardly ever use WOT and when it is just for a bit off a blast rather than prolonged. WOT on my 115 ETEC uses about 45l /hr.

I dont tend to worry about money when it comes to boating, but doubling fuel use for a extra 8-10knots doesnt make sense to me both economically and environmentally.

So for every day use the ETEC as the same as a 4S.

Havent noticed the 2S smell, but then I am comparing it to the old Johnos 155 2S odour!!!

Reliability??? What type of motor only needs a service at 300hrs. A reliable one!

I find the ETEC like this. Rock up to the marina, drop the stand, roll her in, turn the key (no need for the old bubble pump) and off you go. I dont even notice the startup noise, and it is certainly quiter than my REX.

IMO great choice.

Neels

PS I did a hell off a lot of homework on the 2 choices. Not easy and expensive to service up here in Kcity probably was the winning point

Neels