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Posts: 383
| I am thinking about repowering my '96 681vs this spring. I'm trying to keep my options open -- short of going totally new, which isn't an option. One of the possibilities out there is a recent vintage eTec demo -- but it's a 90hp. Anybody out there ever run a 90 on a 681? It's no speed demon now with a 115 Faststrike, but I'm more interested in reliability than top end... Thoughts? |
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Location: MN | I would guess a 90 would push that rig around 40mph, just a guess. If you are wondering about the Etec I would post on the Walleye Central Motor & Prop forum or the Etec Owner's Group forum; both places you'll get feedback but the Etec group may be a tad bias. Last year I repowered my Ranger 680t with a used 2006 60hp Etec. This Etec has been a great engine, I've seen my gas consumption drop and she starts up strong right away. Good luck with the search. |
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Posts: 383
| Thanks, Mak. I don't need any convincing on the eTec itself; had a 40 tiller eTec on a previous boat and it was a fantastic motor. Just wondering if the 90 will be enough to move the Ranger (if I could get 40 mph I would be very happy!). How does that 60 move your 680?
Edited by hooked 1/15/2012 2:11 PM
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Location: MN | I was a little bummed with the speed performance of my Etec, I had higher expectations. I was told the engine kicked out ~65hp and I know another past owner who had the 60hp Etec/680t combo, he topped out at 35-36mph. Once with a light load & perfect conditions I saw 33mph but normally topping out at 31mph. Not a big deal if you fish small lakes but the smallest one I fish is 14,000 acres up to 128,000 acres; making long runs at 31mph attached to a tiller can be tiring & long. Ultimately, I could start playing with props to get to mid-30s but I don't want to spend money buying different props and I have little knowledge. I like the fishability and layout of tillers but really miss the speed of boats like yours... I've fished out of the 681vs, great boat!
I know of people with 70-75hp outboards on their 680s (above max hp rating). One story of a guy with the 75hp(Etec) can apparently do mid-40s; I cannot verify this info. I know of two other 680s with 70s (Yamaha 2 & 4-stroke), both were doing high 30s.
Here are some proxy details to think about: The 680 is ~300lbs lighter than the 681vs, the 681vs is 9" longer, both boats have the same beam width 79.75". The 680t with a 75hp Etec could (claimed) to do mid-40s so I would guess your boat with the extra weight and a 90hp Etec would likely do low 40s; just a guess. You could contact Ranger and ask if they have any historical performance data. Hope this helps.
Edited by Mak51 1/15/2012 3:13 PM
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Posts: 3480
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
I would say durability would be a non-issue with the Etec.
As far as speed is concerned, I would say that the Etec 90 will get you about 38 mph at the top end in a fairly light load. Granted, it is high pressure direct injection, but it is only 79 cid that has a bit higher compression than it's counterpart in the 75hp range. The 75 that was mentioned is essentially the same platform since it is of the same displacement.
I would say search for a good used 115 or 130hp for that boat. That 115 you had is much larger of displacement, which equates to low end torque and better top end..with the trade off being it is a little more thirsty overall being a two stroke engine.
The engines are out there, though.. I just repowered from my 90 2-stroke yamaha to a Johnson 2-stroke 90 and for me, it was well worth it!! Much better low end performance, and a definite gain of close to 5mph....
What is the max HP the boat can handle?
Steve |
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Posts: 383
| The USCG plate rates it for 130. Also considering a '99 Yamaha 130 with a new powerhead. It's cheaper than the Etec, but not the recent vintage of the Etec, and I would need to switch out the controls... Thanks for all the input, by the way!
Edited by hooked 1/15/2012 4:03 PM
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Posts: 485
Location: On my favorite lake! | I have a 90 etec on a alumacraft dominator 165 sport about 1250 lbs. speed it about 46mph. Not sure what yours weighs my beam is 92 if i remember right. I would guesstimate your boat would probably be in 35-36 mph range with a 90hp. I love the etec its quiet and does not eat a ton of gas. |
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Posts: 3480
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | What prop you running on that dominator?
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Posts: 81
Location: Van Buren, Indiana | Check out www.outboardexchange.com, I sold my boat this May and am a couple of years away from getting a new one, but this is where I am looking for my next motor. I love the carbed 2-strokes my boat had an '05 Johnson 150, awesome motor, low maintenance, great torque, fast as he!!, seven years, only thing I had replace was trim sensor in fall of '09. If you run sensible most of the time gas consumption is good, if you play you'll pay, but it sure is fun to play in a fast boat 
An E-tec would be great, but, my next boat will have the money in electronics and powerpoles!
Also check with Evinrude about remanufactured E-tec's or remanned Merc's |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | everyone's interest/needs are so different but since you have put it out to ask ... my suggestion would be to wait until you can find a motor that will max or come close to maxing out the hp rating. it's not all about top-end but being able to get it 1. on-plane and 2. cruising flat at a wider range of speeds. a 90 on that boat to me would be frustrating (i have a 690).
i'd recommend you wait until you can at least find a 115 or 135 (i think many of the 681's came with 135 optis). cabling/wiring/gauges are a huge consideration for you.
the other thought would just be to fix and make the one you already have reliable. a wise man once told me to compare the cost of re-powering to the amount of fuel you can put into the motor you already have. old motors aren't bad just because they are old. |
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Posts: 3480
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | I agree sled...
you can puts lots of gas in a repaired outboard as compared to the $4000 or $5000 or more it may cost to repower.
I will be the first to admit that one, having just gone through a repower of the same HP. Same years for the motors, but different brand, which required change-out of all controls too. Cost me right around $3000 to do it. The motor I had was the weakest of all the 90hp motors (yamaha carbed 2 stroke). Just hated the lack of performance overall. Finally decided to pull the trigger and went to one that basically increased displacement by roughly 35 cid. That made all the difference.
My question to the original poster: What happened to the 115?
Steve |
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Posts: 383
| When I purchased this rig last fall, it was predominantly for the hull (which was in perfect shape). I only had the boat out a couple times after getting it ,as it was near the end of the season, but it was clear that the motor at least needs a serious tune up. It stalls out when you engage the throttle about half the time. Moreover, I can put the money into getting it running decent, but I want to know that if I'm on big water, like LOTW or The V, that I can count on the motor to get me home. |
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Posts: 3480
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
I can assure you that if you get that motor up and running well, it will be very reliable!! Although for safety reasons, on a body of water such as Vermilion or Lake of the woods, I always carry a kicker motor just in case something does happen to the big motor be it an engine failure or my lower unit decides to pay a visit to a piece of granite.
I bet you can get that motor purring on your own if all it needs is a tune-up... Many preventative maintenance things you can do on your own that will make that motor purr like a kitten.. If you happen to be around the Twin Cities, I'd even give you a hand on it... That powerplant is an extremely reliable one...that design has been around for many years and is basically the same design as my 2003 Johnson 90.
You'd be amazed at what a decarbonizer, fuel system cleaner, and new plugs can do for that engine... You might be pleasantly surprised at the $20 you spend in this area might clean up almost all of your issues...
Steve |
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Posts: 383
| I'm a long way from Mpls, Steve, but I appreciate the offer! You guys are giving me plenty to think about! |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | that stalling out half the time on the throttle could be the reed valves. same thing happened on mine and the repair was around $500.00 ... it's a wear over hours/time thing and part of the game with outboards of that vintage to replace worn or broken parts. mine is a '95 merc 175 xri.
have you done a compression check? i'd consider doing that to determine how your powerhead is and if it's fine then start working your way back through the fuel delivery system and dial that dude in.
good luck! |
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