Best 115DI

Markyboyo · 19 January 2008, 08:14

Picking up my new 5.5 destroyer in the next month or so and its time to think about engines. It would be nice to hear everyones opinions on 115DI motors.
I know some peeps on here will think i'm crazy but 4strokers just don't do it for me.....

I'm basically looking at etecs or optis at the moment. Am I right in thinking that the Etec has an external oil tank?? If so how big is it?? Thats pretty much my only reservation regarding the etec other than the extra 1K it will cost me!! It looks good and the service intervals are a bonus as I'm more than capable of using a grease gun between services!

The Hatsu TLDI is definately a nice motor but a) Its costs as much as a Opti, prob wont hold its value as well and 50hour service intervals are a pain!

kwil · 19 January 2008, 14:36

You are right the Etec does have an external oil tank, there are two sizes available the standard one is 1.8 US Gals ablout the size of a car battery or a larger 3 US Gallon tank.
Mine is mounted out of the way in the console with my batteries, they come with 15ft of hose and 17ft cable harness, the maximum length of hose allowed is 25ft but must be continuous (no joins).
It is a great engine never given the slightest problem and the auto winterisation is really useful when you are not sure how long it will be to the next trip out cause the gales are never ending.

Keith

Daveboy 71 · 19 January 2008, 19:24

Similar message to Keith - engine is great - lots of guts, economical and doesn't use too much oil. I have the smaller of the two tanks which is stowed in a transom locker. At 167kg I think it was also the lightest of the 115 DI engines!

Cheers Dave

Chris · 20 January 2008, 08:54

Mark,

I own and Etec and love it however I have never owned an Optimax so can't really comment as to which is best.

The only comment I would make is how noisey is the Optimax compared to the Etec. I have a freind who has a similar size Optimax on the back of his hard boat and his comment after spending some time in my RIB is how quiet the etec is. Apparently the Opti when trolling around at low revs is very noisey?

As for the external oil tank don't let that worry you they stow out of the way in the console and as they tend to be bigger than the engine mounted ones hold more oil. I would rather have the external tank.

Markyboyo · 20 January 2008, 11:21

Thanks for the input guys, especially on the oil tank. I was worried about the length of pipe being limited and had visions of having the tank on the floor at the transom. If it fits into the console that will be fine!
I've only had experience of a 150 opti and it was a bit noisy at tickover. I would also have thought that an Etec would out perform an opti with the extra cylinder and 200cc's.
What sort of fuel consumption do you guys get, I'm hoping to get better than 1litre/mile when running just on the plane.

GED · 20 January 2008, 18:05

may help you to decide....etec's now come with a 5 year warranty

Daveboy 71 · 20 January 2008, 19:11

You will have no problems achieving 1litre/mile with the 115 etec on a 5.5M rib at normal cruising speeds. My boat is 5.3M and I always achieve better than 1litre/mile. The fuel flow meter (standard on the 115) is fairly accurate and gives you a good idea of how much gas you are burning.

Chris · 20 January 2008, 20:44

At a 25 knot crusing speed I find I get about .9 litres per NM.

At lower speeds I can get as good as .75-.8 litres per nm.

If I nail it at 35 knots or more I then tend to see between 1.0 - 1.1 Litres.

All pretty good really !

Markyboyo · 21 January 2008, 05:27

Thanks for all that info!
Believe it or not those consumption figures aren't massively different to those I achieved with my 19ft Orkney being pushed by an old school Hatsu 50 at 15-20 knots. Thats a relief, what with the crazy fuel prices I was beginning to get worried about a 115s thirst!
Glad to see that BRP have upped the warrenty to 5 yrs too, think its just a case of finding the best deal now!
What gauges come with a 115 as standard guys? It seems particularly hard to find detailed e-tec info on the net compared to other makes/models....

Daveboy 71 · 21 January 2008, 19:11

The standard gauges on the Etec 115 are as follows:
RPM including digital multi function gauge (including fuel flow meter, engine hours, alarms...).
RPM
Speedo (MPH; useless unless you are travelling beyond 30MPH)
Tilt
Volts

Markyboyo · 21 January 2008, 23:46

4 gauges! Sounds like plenty of toys to play with too! I didn't realise the E-tec has a fuel flow meter so thats really useful, I thought the Opti with the SC setup was the only one.