Evinrude E-TEC Outboards-Your opinion?

[kymarlee]

I am an amateur boat builder and recreational boater who is in the process of completing a 1970's vintage, 10 foot, 3 point hydro called a Super Spartan (see attached). I am considering buying a new 25 HP E-TEC motor because I have heard good things about the reliability, performance and low maintenance of these engines.

Has anybody had any experience with these outboards?

Thanks for your feedback.

[HydroKyle93R]

From what I know about [2-stroke] E-TEC engines, they not only perform more consistently and for a longer duration, but also pollute much less in terms of gasoline components and aromatic hydrocarbons (go green!).

Judging from the increase in motor components, I would assume that they are heavier and depending on the length of the drive shaft/exhaust pipe housing, will have a higher center of gravity, and both your boat's transom and motor steering and throttle components will have to be modified to be compatible with one another. I'm basing this theory assuming you will be using standard pulley-steering and a crash-throttle configuration.

Also, The gear case, being it is a standard fishing lower unit, and bulkier in terms of physical shape, will require some "fine-tuning" in order to produce the greatest propeller efficiency and safest handling characteristics.

I may be over analyzing somewhat, but this is what I would think about before using a "standard" fishing motor as opposed to a motor already in a "racing" configuration, in terms of steering, throttle control and handling.

Best of luck, and I commend you for considering making use of a "green" motor that meets the Ultra-Low Emission Standards set by the EPA.

[Fast Jack]

Kind of heavy -- E tec --Heavy price also

How about using a Merc 25 hp 2 stroke short shaft motor ? Something used ( several on E bay now ) you could use 25 xs linkage for the throttle, a Brown type steering bar -And when you decide to go racing you can build a 25 XS and sell the stock parts to save a few $$

[Bill Huson]

Using a fishing engine on a hydro style boat is not a great idea, but it will work sort of. See above comments RE overall weight and CG.

The E-Tec is a nice engine. 4-stroke outboards are also nice, but methinks you would not want to get either one wet, as in El-Flippo, as they are loaded with electronics which are rumored to have an aversion to water.

[JWarren]

motor for your boat

Don't want to tell you not to but, i will! That motor is made for fuel economy and performance but way to top heavy and to heavy all together! If you want to stay with a "Jon Rude" go with the vintage 25hp, 83 94. This motor when built right will run in the high 70's maybe 80's ask DR.Rick Miller. Anyway your boat looks great, good luck Jimmy W.

[Tomtall]

Kymarlee

First off - Nice build.

Secondly I owned one of these hydros when I was 12 years old. They were built under the names of the "Saucy Shingle" , "Tiny Titan" , "Super Spartan" . A "Popular Mechanic" hydro build they made a fun lake racer. I was fortunate to have a 20H to run on mine. I had a cut out in the front deck with a hatch to place the 3 gallon Mercury gas tank in so I had more cockpit room. The boat ran about 35 MPH with that engine and a 2 blade Michigan wheel prop. For a 12 year old that was more than enough. Boy have times changed. I tend to agree with the other posters here that the E-tech would be a bit much for this hull. I would do some shopping for a good used 2 stroke/15 inch short shaft with the water pick-up in the lower gearfoot. (as opposed to the very early cavitation plate style of water pick-up.) This will allow you to run the engine a little raised on the transom for more speed and better handling. Prop selection will be another issue also so keep in a model year with more current available props such as the thru hub exhaust design. If you can stick with a stock gearfoot you will have more enjoyment out bombing around on your local lake as they tend to have better punch than a pure breed racing gearfoot.

Good luck with your project - Looks fun and brings back alot of memories.

[17W]

E-tec.....

The only 2-Stroke ever to win a EPA excellence award!!!

[mercguy]

ya, and JD Power and Associates rate Honda #1 in customer satisfaction and we know that ain't true..................LOL

[B Walker]

If your considering a 4 stroke......

A 9.5 HP 4 stroke with a stock (shifting) foot will easily plane out a 200 lb guy in that boat and still push it in the low 30 MPH range which is fast enough for that design.

BW

[johnsonm50]

Ive done some fishing motor/hydro play. It can be done but your not going to be able to depend on it tearing into a turn not to flip & if you blow over the weight & height will work against your saving it. That meaning be careful with set up. Raising the motor above its intended run depth can be done limitedly but without a surface prop it wont do much. Another thing to consider, the motor [any] will only spin so many R's & regardless of weight only go so fast. What youll find is acceleration to be the biggest change when you switch props, the speed will vari a little. If a wide variety of props are available then more potential as well. I drag raced a pal in a hydro similar to mine, his could do about 60, mine barely made 50. We raced about an 1/8 mile, he only started catching up as we ran out of water. Acceleration is fun too & you'll certainly be competitive. I would float the hydro with as much weight as the intended motor [clamp an oldie on that weighs as much] & take a good look, get in & think if you really want to commit to so much $$$ before running it on a low cost used motor 1st. Best of Luck.

[kymarlee]

Thanks for all the feedback. I am going to step back and reconsider my options. I have an older 18 HP Evinrude which I have used successfully on a 8' monoplane called a Minimost. I think I am going to try it first on the new boat and then look at possible upgrades.

John aka Kymarlee

[immulmen]

Thanks for all the feedback. I am going to step back and reconsider my options. I have an older 18 HP Evinrude which I have used successfully on a 8' monoplane called a Minimost. I think I am going to try it first on the new boat and then look at possible upgrades.

John aka Kymarlee

I had a 1968 18 HP Evinrude on a B runabout that worked good. Did about 30mph with a stock 2 blade prop with a 12 inch pitch. I may be talked out of the prop if you are interested.

[blueskyracer]

I had a 18 HP Evinrude on my Wetback back in 1970 and was running near 40MPH so I would give it a try.

[johnsonm50]

The OMC 18s, 20s & 25s of the 22ci pre 77 variety are pretty light, as a manual start short their about 85# & can be stripped down to under 70#. Its a .571:1 unit so you'll need a righty speed prop at about 12-13p depending on run weight. For that you can count on reaching 40 with some testing & maybe more all things being optimal. It would take work to nail 50. The carburaters on these are already as good as it gets. Ive tried stuff & no go. Milling the head for compression will help a little. The B1 Bomber thread on BRF is related to these 22s.

[blackrook]

Hello, I raced the Saucy shingle, Super Spartan and I built the Minimost for the cottage for fun running I raced them over 50 years they were great little boats. I love them very much they such big part of life sure had a lot of fun with them. Now at 60 years old I still have my old Minimost I still take it out in the summer for a day of fun running a good boat for old boat racer. This summer I will sand down my Minimost put a new coat of piant make look like new again. The Minimost is the best sport boat of all time at least I think. I love the Minimost because you do not need any fancy jigs or tools to build it and very simple to build.

[Ed Provini]

There is a bait fisherman in Ft.Lauderdale that has over 9000 hours on an E-Tec and it still runs great(and I know he does not believe in preventive maintenance).