Yamaha or Evinrude?

TwoBob · 27 May 2015, 19:56

We have decided that one of our sailing club's patrol RIBs engines has reached the end of it's economical to repair life. We like the Ribcraft 4.8 hull that it is on and the old engine (50 horse Mariner 4 stroke) seemed to be about the right size for what we needed so we intend to re-engine. We are down to a shortlist of 2 engines - Yamaha F50 or Evinrude ETEC 50.

We already have a Yamaha 50 on another boat and it is great - smooth, very quiet, economical to run and has needed no attention outside an annual service. I would have another in a heartbeat it is that good.

However we are being offered a very good deal on a new ETEC from our local trusted dealer. He swears by them and is very handy for service and support. The engine is nearly a grand cheaper, has longer service intervals and cheaper services. My only concern is that I have no experience with Evinrude and don't know anyone who has apart from the dealer who is keen to sell me one. I had a quick run in a boat with a 75 on today and it was noisier than the Yam but there again so is my sewing machine.

Does anyone on here have any experience with using an ETEC 50 on a patrol boat - i.e lots of slow speed stuff? Which should I choose to spend lots of other peoples money on?

Ribochet · 27 May 2015, 20:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwoBob

We already have a Yamaha 50 on another boat and it is great - smooth, very quiet, economical to run and has needed no attention outside an annual service. I would have another in a heartbeat it is that good.

What more do you need to know

steco1958 · 27 May 2015, 22:16

I have a etec 75, it's been great very economical, looks good sounds good.

If you have already had a Yamaha and you have been happy with it and it's never let you down.

Why change !!

jonp · 27 May 2015, 22:19

This side of the world you will see plenty of Yamaha's on commercial boats, police, water taxis, house boats, oyster farmers etc, haven't seen any with etecs.

Ive owned a Yam 50 4 stroke and 2 Yam 70f and never missed a beat. Second hand market on a Yam 50 with around 4000hrs is still remarkably high over here (Australia).

Personally would go for slightly more power myself like the 70hp.

Jon

office888 · 28 May 2015, 00:10

ETEC 40 / 50 / 60 all weigh the same.

If your boat is rated for a 60, get the 60hp.

I love my 50hp!

two stroke mick · 28 May 2015, 12:04

Let me start by saying I have an Etec 60 hp and it has not given any bother but it has not done a lot of work. I believe that a the yam 4 stroke is a more suitable machine in your case for one simple reason.
This is a club boat, chances are some ass will forget to put in the two stroke oil or put in the wrong two stroke oil and cause damage to the engine, this suitation is not likley to happen to a private engine. The yam 4 stroke does not need 2 stroke oil to be added thus in theory there is less to check and go wrong. I think that the savings between the two engines would not cause me to use a etec in this suitation.

fynepioneer · 01 June 2015, 21:07

We've just got to 3k hours on our evinrudes. So I would say not too bad... Ours are the 200hp though. Pm me if you want to call for a chat about ours.

jonp · 02 June 2015, 00:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by fynepioneer

We've just got to 3k hours on our evinrudes. So I would say not too bad... Ours are the 200hp though. Pm me if you want to call for a chat about ours.

Is that 3000 hrs without anything other than servicing (nothing replaced under warranty etc) ?

Jon

Nightfisher · 28 June 2015, 16:21

Yamaha. Dependable and don't care if it's polished or abused. It starts and seldom let's one down. And I'm a merc man lol.

TwoBob · 28 June 2015, 17:08

In the end we went Evinrude. A keen, reliable and helpful local dealer combined with a £1800 price difference and cheaper less frequent services swung it. So far it seems to be an excellent engine and we are happy with it. We had to get the kill cord system sorted so it couldn't be run without the cord in and given the service intervals a way of reading the engine hours without taking it to the dealers would be good to have as standard but apart from that it seems fine. I will let you know in 18 years if it is as good as the engine it replaced.........

Chris · 28 June 2015, 17:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwoBob

In the end we went Evinrude.

Good Choice

Seaflyer02 · 28 June 2015, 18:09

Would be my choice too