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All, Im a newbee that wants to rig a 2010 PIV w/ a CARB 3 star and it doesnt look like there are many choices out there. Just found out that Verado is only 2 star. I know this sounds kinda silly but I want to be extremely compliant to EPA over the next 10 years. Can any of you help me w/ feedback? Question 1: Merc Opti X/S 200HP: will this be 2 or 3 star? There site says 2 different things. Motor spec says 2 but their CARB site says 3. Anybody know? Question 2: Evinrude/ BRP E-Tec HO 200: 3 stars but I have absolutely no experience with this brand. How is the reliability service ability of this product? Question 3: Any body out there that knows how E-Tech performs w/ a PIV? Question 4: If Evinrude, what props are recommended for a PIV? Hole shot, plane @ low speeds and control are priority I dont have alot of concrete data: 1. Looks attractive w/ the 5yr warranty promo, Love the light weight 2. I see this brand mated w/ Bass Cat photos (PIV & Puma) 3. My Dealer in Texas also made this recommendation 4. My old Yammie and Merc Opti were both great 200HP motors 5. My uneducated perception is concerned about Quality, reliability and service support. The Ficht/ power head incident a few years back has me concerned. Anything to worry about?
In the 200 hp engines i think both Merc., and Evenrude are both reliable engines, and both will perform well on the P4. Both would probably run either a 25/26p trophy or fury prop, and would meet anyones expectations. Ive been in both and either would impress ! Which does youre mechanic like ? What does the dealership reccommend ? Which one do you like ? That is what is important. Good luck, D.
I own an evinrude and love it but I would buy what your dealer recommends if you are staying with that dealer-C.O.D. Jr. III
I think that the big 3 2-stroke brands are all very good. I would get the one that matches the colors of your cat the best! Good luck, John
Sounds like you practically have your mind made up, but have concerns about reliability and support. Go ask the mechanic back in the back which he had rather work on and youll get your answer. Dont ask the salesman! Not sure why youre so concerned with the emissions standard 2 Star vs. 3 Star, etc. Carbuerator engines (not DFI) were outlawed several years ago and they are still being sold today by dealers……………those that have them. Who knows what 10 years will bring? Electric motors? Natural gas? You will get differing views here as there is as many phanatical fans of Evinrude as there are Mercury. I would consider these though. 1. Mercury warranty. 5 years of Mercury backed warranty. 2. Cost to operate Mercury vs. Evinrude – Mercury better fuel economy, oil $10 per gallon cheaper or more, oil availabilty 3. Resale value when you decide to sell down the road. 4. I would assume that you were happy with a previous Optimax! Good luck with your decision!
All Thanks you very much. If all things being equal, I also agree to stay w/ what the dealer is comfortable with. Looks like Evinrude 200HP E-Tec HO will be the choice. My Dealer in Harker Heights has had better luck matching the Evinrudes/ w BCB. Service is about 50/50 between Merc/ BRP and both give great support. Design on E-Tech is not as complex which is nice to hear from a service/ support perspective. 3 Star compliant & Light weight (420/430 lbs) is also a plus. will let all of you know how this comes out. On props, I dont know evinrude line like I know the merc. I will look at the 25P 3 raker or a 4 blade renegade/ cyclone. dont know what the best is for hole shot so a one liner would be great. Ill also aske the dealer. Thanks again 1MC
phil, I sent this out before I read your mail. Great feedback. The person I am talking to also let me speak to a mechanic so I appreciate hearing this from you. thank you very much sir
Im with PA on the mechanic part. My dealer is a Yamaha and Rude dealer but they are also world class race boat drivers and they run Mercs on their race boats. Go figure. I have owned both and liked my Merc as well as my Rude. If I was purchasing right now I would go with either a Merc or the Yamaha. The Yamaha simply becuase my dealer is a fantastic faamily owned business and I would want to keep my business with them. I would have some concerns with Evinrude simply from a company standpoint. They have stuggled as a company in the past and given todays financial climate I would want someone that will be there in the end. Not saying they wont but I think Mercury and Yamaha are better from this vantage point. If you choose the Evinrude as it seems like you are leaning towards, I would bet the farm that you will be pleased with the performance. If you need a second opinion on that I almost guarantee that Brannon will weigh in on this and everyone on this board knows his position when it comes to engines.-Jason
Hello 1morecast, If you called the BCB factory and asked Ivan or Rick that question, they should give the answer that they gave me 2yrs ago….the Pantera 4 Runs the BEST with a 200 HO Evinrude, Rick said its a design thing with the Hull and the Lightning Lower unit of the Etec….If you noticed searching, the Pantera 4s alot of the times will either have a 200 HO DI or 200 HO Etec, the DI was the ETECs daddy…..Reliability is a opinion, the 200 HO and the 150 HO Etec are 1 of the most RELIABLE motors out there,PERIOD……Its a TRUE 220HP at the prop motor, with the design of the motor you will not have Belts to monkey with, Compressors Dismantling, Break in periods, and alot better EMM for self diagnosing the issue,if one pops up……ALOT of guys here HATE my guts because I speak the Truth and Opinion on the Etec so aggresively, but I feel its 1 of the best Marine designs ever, and you will too….I suggest you have your dealer take you for a run in a Optimax powered BCB, then a Etec powered BCB, I know which one youll pick after that…….I hope you love your new Etec 200 HO, they have the 5yr motor promo now also, and if you want a Colored Boat that will make people jealous, give me a shout…..Im here to help with that stuff and thats it……Brannon 920-295-2069 You can call me day or night to discuss color options and how to lay them out…..starlight blue matches the etec,Red/Black is the best red for it, and silver is a great secondary color, I have dozens of ETEC powered boats with pics to send ya so you can design it to Scream the word GOURGEOUS……BrannonYour Signature …
It is a matter of your satisfaction as to what to decide on. The Mercury in a Pro XS 200 is a 3 star engine. The earlier 200 Opti was a 2 star engine. BCB
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