Rob Silver
Active member
I'm about to take the plunge and re-power my old runabout.
I attended the recent boat show in Toronto, hoping to better understand current outboards and make a sound decision for my next motor. Before going to the boat show, I knew my heart was set on getting a Mercury 50 ELPT504S or Yamaha F50.
After talking to sales reps at the show, Instead of getting closer to my next OB, I Suddenly find myself having more questions and more confused than when I started.
I was introduced to the Evinrude ETEC 50 and how it will cost me less in terms of maintenance and overall ownership costs, while having more fun due to low end torque.
The Mercury and Yammie are about CAD$1900 cheaper...taxes in, with the usual 3 year warranty.
However, the ETEC comes with a 7 year extended warranty and free rigging. These prices will only hold until end of March.
My boating needs are simple....fishing and the occasional cruising with the family....possibly towing the two girls (ages 16 and 11). My boat is a 1959 Mirrocraft and is 16'...72 inch beam, 56 inch stern.
I don't want to make this into a 4 vs 2 stroke debate. I just want anyone's FIRST HAND experience regarding maintenance costs of ETEC vs their 4 stroke counterparts.
Of course, please feel free to tell me any negative features between the two engines I've mentioned that would make ownership a nightmare. In the end, I just want to make sure that the money I will be spending is for me to be fishing and not at the shop having a change oil or having maintenance issues.
Thanks in advance to all!
I attended the recent boat show in Toronto, hoping to better understand current outboards and make a sound decision for my next motor. Before going to the boat show, I knew my heart was set on getting a Mercury 50 ELPT504S or Yamaha F50.
After talking to sales reps at the show, Instead of getting closer to my next OB, I Suddenly find myself having more questions and more confused than when I started.
I was introduced to the Evinrude ETEC 50 and how it will cost me less in terms of maintenance and overall ownership costs, while having more fun due to low end torque.
The Mercury and Yammie are about CAD$1900 cheaper...taxes in, with the usual 3 year warranty.
However, the ETEC comes with a 7 year extended warranty and free rigging. These prices will only hold until end of March.
My boating needs are simple....fishing and the occasional cruising with the family....possibly towing the two girls (ages 16 and 11). My boat is a 1959 Mirrocraft and is 16'...72 inch beam, 56 inch stern.
I don't want to make this into a 4 vs 2 stroke debate. I just want anyone's FIRST HAND experience regarding maintenance costs of ETEC vs their 4 stroke counterparts.
Of course, please feel free to tell me any negative features between the two engines I've mentioned that would make ownership a nightmare. In the end, I just want to make sure that the money I will be spending is for me to be fishing and not at the shop having a change oil or having maintenance issues.
Thanks in advance to all!