Outboards, your opinions please

[scotty]

Of course its going to beat a fourstroke

now a test against an optimax would be interesting......

my money would be on the opti ;D

[Canuck]

Just got back from a week of rain in majorca....what was we thinking of???.

Thanks for all the input fellas.

Hadn't come across Powertec - thats a good price - cheers abuc4.

Scotty, haven't spoken to Dan but I will do

Monkeynuts, (John I believe?) Out of Langstone to all the marks I can get to as often as I can. Fished Utopia a couple of times this year, didn't make the Overfalls but am now thinking about the Spoils, anywhere conditions allow me to go safely.

CF of S, (Dale I Believe?), I've been told that you have to program/set the engine to use the special oil for the little oil consumption or use tcw3 oil and alter the setting in which case the oil consumption will be the same as other engines (what ever that is ? any takers?). Also that if the engine is not touched for 3 years the gear case bolts will likely corrode and possibly have trouble getting them out, so should be greased. What oil do you use and whats your take on the gearcase comment. (These points came from a dealer who may be trying to sell me a different engine!) Can you give an indication of fuel consumption? Thanks in advance.

regards

Rich.

[Pete B]

Good Post Rich - there's really nothing that official or unbias to go by when contemplating / comparing new engines. Owners will always recommend their brand unless they've really had a bad experience with their purchase.

Two points I'd make regarding your choice of manufacturer -
1. Suzuki is having a massive push after investing heavily, they're plan is to have the market share by 2010; therefore they are being really competitive and proving the quality of they're after-sales support. They seem very proud of what looks like really quality engineering.

2. I have been told by an Evinrude dealer about a high number of Evinrude E-tecs that have been back to the workshop with problems, some quite serious. By his own admission he steers potential purchasers to the other manufacturer that he is also an agent for.

I personally think the future is in 4 strokes. However if I wanted to go for more horsepower to weight ratio I would go two stroke in the form of 'Opti-max'.
Do you feel happier handing your hard earnt pounds over for the last of the two strokes we are all use to or would you prefer one of the more refined four strokes, after that decision for me it comes down to the best price out of the proven manufacturers.

[wayner]

Sent you a PM, let me know if you got the numbers ok?

[monkeynuts]

hi rich
if you using it that much id realy look at the 4 strokes, you will get your money back in fuel over a few years fi your keeping the boat. like i say b4 its the jap engines that seem to be so reliable going by the 110 ribs/motor boats we have in our dry stacks at work.
id recomened suzuki, yamaha, and honda. but im not saying the others are crap by any strech. its just what id buy if i had the cash for a new engine.
you have a pm

[Canuck]

Thanks John, you have a PM

Rich