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stickwurm.
I have been looking at boats although i wont be ready to buy one for a few more months im just watching the market and i have seen some nice cats with evinrudes on them but i have only heard bad things about them possibly because noone has em around here other than one guy and he has had alot of trouble out of his so i figured everyone bases their opinion on one boat… or maybe not. I would like some feedback from people who are non biased even though i know most of you are merc guys as am i but i am open minded to any good engine
Im sure they are fine engines and as with any engine all will eventually have their issues. Now the real shock will be resale, people either want merc or yamaha, period. Most see a nice boat with a rude on it, and they stop looking. Will that change over time, i have no idea, but i have watched some nice cats with evinrudes on here take alot longer to sell then they wold have for the same priced boat rigged with a merc or hammer on them.
Full disclosure, I have a Merc, but from what I have seen the Rude is a really good engine “when it is running.” Very powerfull and smooth running. I have a gentleman in my club who loves his ETEC. He runs a Stratos 201 and has gone through 3 lower units, only one of which was because he hit something the other two were mechanical failure. They were repaired under warranty and the one that was his fault was covered by insurance. He just blew the powerhead in a regional BFL(not the most oportune time but it could happen to any brand) with less than 200 hours on the motor. Even with all his downtime, and he has had alot, he still supports Evinrude and would buy another. I dont understand why, but that is his decision. My experience is purely anecdotal but I have personally seen this scenario play out before and needless to say it makes an individual think long and hard about buying an ETEC. Last edited by NCStatefan on December 8th, 2012, 2:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
We believe they have put much behind them in the later engines. The newer products are not prone to failures from our watching various engine uses. There are not many on Bass Cats and it depends on the area how many are sold there.
A lot of bass guys run etecs around this coast . The problems most of us have experienced have been on par with the rest of them . Albeit a different list but right around everyone else . These motors in my opinion are strong and quiet ,the lower unit has been my biggest hurtle which seems to be working out for me . Mine is for sale and I will probably go with mercury at this time , if I sell it ! I am having second thoughts ( about selling and about changing to mercury ) . Service around here has not been an issue , BRP has handled all that I have asked accept when I asked them to re- design a lower unit from the ground up for my boat lol . I have at least driven both of them on almost the same hull . I honestly believe it comes down to tit for tat . Their are small details that amount to a different overall experience which might lead you to love one or hate another ?Dont listen to me because I will probably have a completely different opinion next month ! I would not be hard pressed to tell you about a guy with any brand that had this bunch of problems or that.Live Learn and enjoy the experiences !
Nothing is more telling than the free market. Sure theres external forces, but when prices are held relatively equivalent the market speaks. Look at any bassboat brand where all motors are an option on your chosen motor size and see what gets sold for your answer. No one person or entity has more experience than the market in its entirety when you think about it. It even eliminates small regional variations. The beauty of this market too right now is that money is tight and this is a LARGE purchase for most guys. I would assume the market will be conservative as not a lot of impulsive or aggressive buying going on.Last edited by clownshoes on December 8th, 2012, 9:09 am, edited 1 time in total.C.O.D. Jr. III
Id call Denny Rhead, Hes had Evinrudes forever, hes gone thru the Bad times and NOW the Good….His 2011 has been the BEST MOTOR HES EVER HAD…..and Yes its on a Puma FTD…..Call Denny at 715-505-2255 hes a stand up guy and doesnt BS…..Brannon
Ive had only Evinrudes going on 12 years. In that time Ive only had a few issues. Last year I ran the hole year with no issues. I would like to know what prop Denny runs on his Puma and what kind of #s hes getting.
Ive got a 2011 Puma Ftd with the Etec 250 HO. 2 full seasons and a little under 200 hours so far with no problems. Ive been very Happy with this motor, strong quiet, and dependable. Not to mention Fast! Set up from the factory shes shown me 80 MPH with a lite load and me alone. Tournament load, heavy on fuel with my partner in the boat she can pull 77mph. I ran a 225 Merc Optimax prior to this and it blew up on me at around 30 hours and again 4 years later. Up here Ive seen a lot of Optimax powerhead failures. Theyre all great motors until it strands you on the lake miles from the ramp.
I have nothing bad to say since Ive never had one. From what Ive heard I probably wont buy one anytime soon. I think the best thing to look at maybe the resale in your area. If alot of people around have them an close by folks to service it may not be hard to resale. I dont think you could give one away where Im at. Everybody stopped selling them around here an you just dont see them. My partner bought one on a new boat 8 months ago, he hasnt had any issues so far . He also got 120 mile hike to get decent service on warranty work if he does have issues. Good luck with whatever you get. Could have issues with any of them.
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