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| Looking at an Alumacraft Navigator 165 SC. Narrowed the size down to 75 HP. Which motor is the best, the Mercury Optimax or the Evinrude E-Tec?
I've always preferred Mercs, but I'm starting to think the Evinrude is a better motor. Any thoughts? |
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Posts: 1663
Location: Kodiak, AK | I voted other. I'd go Yammie 4 stroke, or even Honda four stroke. My buddy has a 16.5 Alumacraft tiller with a 40 or 50 Honda four stroke and it works well. I'm just a four stroke guy since my 2-stroke blew and I hung the grey motor. It just depends on what you're looking for in a motor. For me, the four stroke is the way to go.
If not a Yamaha or a four stroke, I'd go with the Opti. |
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| Why the four stroke over the two? |
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Posts: 1663
Location: Kodiak, AK | I don't wanna derail your thread with 2 vs 4 discussion as it gets hashed out alot and there's guys on both sides. But everything from fuel economy, to not having to buy mix oil every week or two, to quiet running, on and on and on...
But the 2 stroke guys will talk about less weight, more speed, more low end, etc... Like I say, it comes down to what you want out of the motor. |
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| esoxfly - 5/3/2011 9:39 AM
I don't wanna derail your thread with 2 vs 4 discussion as it gets hashed out alot and there's guys on both sides. But everything from fuel economy, to not having to buy mix oil every week or two, to quiet running, on and on and on...
But the 2 stroke guys will talk about less weight, more speed, more low end, etc... Like I say, it comes down to what you want out of the motor.
Not a problem. 2 vs 4 is a huge aspect of the decision. I received a DVD from a dealer about E-Tecs and they claim the E-Tecs run quieter than 4 strokes and have a better fuel economy. I'm not saying you're wrong, just that 2 vs 4 seems to claim the same thing for each side. Who am I supposed to believe? |
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Location: Des Moines IA | If you're going to run it WOT all the time, go 2 stroke. If you're gonna troll with it, get the 4 stroke. IMO 2 strokes aren't the best option for 10 continuous hours of 1000 rpm trolling. |
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| I rarely troll, but I am hoping to do it a little more. I still plan on casting 95% of the time, so that isn't much of a factor. |
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Location: Green Bay, WI | Well, I'm a four-stroke guy--but in all fairness, you could argue that the two-stroke engines have it over the four-strokes in trolling. With a four-stroke engine, there is a concern for fuel-oil dilution, simply because it has a reservoir with oil that the engine re-uses. With a two-stroke, this isn't the case--you use the oil, and then burn it. You then replenish the oil as needed.
If you really want to read a TON about the whole two- versus four-stroke topic, go on over to The Hull Truth's forum, and search there. You'll find enough to keep you busy for the next 1-2 weeks, I'll bet. I've read much of the stuff on there over the past few years, and there have been a number of threads on the subject. It's a hot issue alright.
I can save you a lot of time though, if you want. Here's what I think is the summary of all these discussions:
1) There really isn't a BAD engine made anymore. Competition is simply too great for the sales dollar, thus no engine manufacturer can afford to make a bad product. The price of the four-stroke oil changes makes up for the cost of the two-stroke oil; although the two-stroke E-TEC has a 300-hour/3-year service schedule. So you might save some money that way. Most people agree that the E-TEC is only slightly louder than the four-stroke engines, and there are decibel charts on that forum I mentioned that will show you. But for trolling, I wouldn't think you'd notice much difference at all.
2) The overwhelming majority of *knowledgeable* people I've seen comment on the matter seem to say the same thing--go with the engine brand you can find the best and most convenient service on. You can have the best engine in the world (if there is such a thing), but if you have to drive 100 miles every time you need service, you'll be kicking yourself. And even though you might be get engine 'A' for $500-600 less than engine 'B', that savings doesn't last long without good maintenance support.
3) Many times, the particular warranty program (i.e.; incentive) is the determining factor in an engine sale--of course, if there's a choice on the engine. If you're looking at a boat that comes with an E-TEC and you want that boat, guess what... But right now I believe that Suzuki has a 6-year deal going on warranty, although I've not looked into the fine details because I am not in the market for a boat or motor. But all things being equal and if I could get service (and was happy with that dealer), I'd go with the engine of the best warranty.
Oh that reminds me--read the warranty details VERY carefully! If you are a guide and use your rig for hire, you're a "commercial operator" in the eyes of most engine manufacturers, so the warranty period is only one year in most cases. So that might be very important to you as well.
Lastly, many brokers I've seen on the THT forum seem to indicate that used boats with four-stroke engines sell faster than boats with two-stroke engines. I don't know if it's as true around these parts however--but if that sort of thing might be important to you, then you better check it out before making the purchase.
That's a great boat by the way--I owned one with a 70hp Yamaha 2-stroke several years ago.
Good luck on your decision.
TB |
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Posts: 1405
Location: Detroit River |
I'd go with a 4-stroke on a tiller. I went from a 2-stroke to a 4-stroke on my tiller & I love it. I was hesitant to go with a 4-stroke at first but now I'm glad I did. So much quieter, no oil smell, & a lot better on gas consumption.
A Merc or Yamaha 4-stroke will do.
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| Thanks for all of the advice everyone. Looking at the side console, Zib, although I love the open layout of the tiller model. I'm still not sure what I'm going to go with. I'll need to do more research before I make a decision. |
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Posts: 272
| If you ONLY casted, and I mean ONLY, then I'd definitely go tiller. But if you troll at all, or if you make long hauls, definitely, definitely go console. As someone who went from being a complete non-troller with a tiller, to a budding troller with the same tiller.........to a full blown trolling addict, I was very happy when I got my new console boat. Trolling with boards really sux with a tiller. The guy in the driver's seat is EXACTLY in the way for everything from setting up to netting fish.
In my very humble opinion, I would tend to agree that you cannot go wrong with anything made now. |
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Posts: 67
| I have a 2011 Navi with the 70F Yami......love it.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h182/Flattracker60/CR5014.jpg
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Posts: 402
Location: WI | I bought a Navigator 165cs w/ 90hp E-Tec. It was $500 more than the 75hp & well worth the money. Very quiet, very good performance & fuel economy. PM me if you want dealer info for the best price & great service.
Dave |
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Posts: 126
| I've been running a 60hp Etec for 4 years and it's been a good motor. It is quiet, good on fuel, and you Do Not have to mix oil on the etecs. |
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Posts: 968
Location: N.FIB | I was down fishing kinkaid last weekend and while at the dock a boat went by with a 150 verado and another with an etec,the verado you couldn't hear,the etec was kinda loud but was on a guides boat so it gets used a lot,maybe abused at bit. |
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| Got the same boat.Go with the Merc 90 4 stroke. Ten gallons of gas & equipment stock prop = 45mph (alone). Motor is super quite until you get 5500 rpm,then she sounds like a bad ass.Better to max out the motor HP for resale or trade in value.The 90 also helps out if your fishing buddies been hitting the pizza over the winter. |
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