Upgrading motor question

[rps]

The smaller Evinrudes (less than 150 HP) are not yet G2's.  Still just ETECS. No garish colors - white or blue black. Low maintenance. Efficient. Low emissions. I had a 75 HP for six years and serviced it twice before I sold it. When I delivered it to the buyer, we went to the Cabelas in Omaha and muffed it. After no starts in 60 days, it started on the first turn of the key.

 

[Tanderson15]

I have a 97 merc Efi and have never had a tune up, change my own plugs and have been bad on changing the impellers (sp) only 5. It's a 175 hp and still pushes my 2000 triton multi species 189 at 58 mph (gps) on cool day and yes it does smoke a little some time. I don't know the hours but my first HDS unit at console shows 2876 miles in 5 yrs here. No telling how many I had on the Missouri River impoundments out west. I would love to have a 4 stroke, for smoke and noise, but can't justify it yet. Every spring it starts right up. I think I have been lucky.

[J-Doc]

 

I know exactly what rod you are talking about, I will check. Thanks

You could just drive up to see him, let him take a look, fix it, then go fishing.

NDude is a jig master.  And he's spoiled to 5 and 6 pound pets. 

And my Merc starts up within 1.5 to 2 seconds every time.  No smoke issues either.   The new ProXS 4 stroke was designed to squeeze a bit more rpm out of the 115.  So you can run a smaller prop for terrific holeshot without killing your top end.  I run about 47 on mine right now.  The new 4 stroke ProXS can get low 50's and some have reported up to 54 but that was with a hydro backplate, times prop, trim tabs removed, etc.  Just saying it can wind a bit higher and the torque is a bit better. 

A new outboard is a steep upgrade and I truly understand the desire and frustration level with my old Evinrude.  If it can be fixed however as Wrench is saying, migjt be wkrth the dribe for one last horrah and getting it fixed and saving a ton.  

Plus, Wrench is a lot easier on the checkbook than the locals.  And a gracious host as well.  

 

 

[J-Doc]

And I literally almost left my old boat in the parking lot with a note that said "free, I have a title and you can have it". 

 

I was dead serious on considering it.  

I got lucky and found the source of my 3 month problem and found I needed to clean and lube the idler arm assembly below the flywheel.  A super easy and simple fix caused my old Rude to not run right after the rebuild for 3mo.  Many anguishing texts and phone calls to poor Wrench.  I think he was as relieved as I was so I would leave him alone.  Lol!!  He was a good sport and wished I wasn't 4hrs away. He could have found it straight away I bet. Darn thing would lag behind throwing the timing off. I finally saw it and figured it out.  It would smoke, not idle, not run right, wouldn't load on trailer, etc.  Drove me insane!!

 

Once fixed, ran like a top.  Still smoked and still cold as a 200yr old pirate corpse and just as easy to wake up and start  Lol!!

[Ozark Flyer]

On 5/11/2017 at 10:51 AM, Stump bumper said:

I am playing with the idea of upgrading my 2004 115hp Merc to a 2016 4 stroke 115hp. I don't need a new boat just tired of carbs and smoke and plugs fouling and such. Has anyone done this locally? What would be the trade in on an old 2004 beat up 115? Any point of contact or advice appreciated though I am not wanting a new boat or trade for someone else's problem. This is too go on a 2004 700 Nitro wondering what the weight difference is?

I had a similar situation as you.  I had a 2003 model boat with a smoking choking  merc 115.  Same issues as you fouling, loading up, etc...  I repowered with a Yamaha 115 4 stroke.  I am very, very, very pleased.  I've trolled the thing for hours without missing a beat.  Very easy on the gas.  Very quiet.  No pumping a bulb.  Just look at the key and it starts.  

Assuming you need a short shaft, For a couple hundred bucks you can get the new Yamaha SHO motor (super high output) which has a much improved holeshot and lower rpm performance.  I purchased my long shaft version from Barling Boat Sales in Ft Smith. (Local dealer never returned my call). The standard (non-SHO) model doesn't have the low rpm pep of a 2 stroke.  I'm not a run-n-gun fisherman anymore so it's not an issue for me.

My best friend is an ETEC guy and is pleased with his motor.  He has a first generation model that had some issues but I think they have solved the early problems with that motor.  Hope this helps.

[Stump bumper]

I have expanded my shopping and seems Suzuki is the lowest price and weight and has lot of boasting over Merc, Honda, and Yamaha on their advertising but I don't see many on the water. Anyone have experience with one? They seem to run about $3k less than ETEC. 

[J-Doc]

Yeah they would have caught my eye also when I was boat shopping.  They weren't offered until after I had bought.  Or else, I may have gotten one.  

 

Check in the BassboatCentral forum. There are several of Zuke owners in the tin forum.  

[buckwhisperer]

I've seen a few zukis on TR but have never been around one. Have thought about them myself and that got me looking, I think the nearest certified shop may be in Nixa so keep that in mind.

[Stump bumper]

33 minutes ago, buckwhisperer said:

I've seen a few zukis on TR but have never been around one. Have thought about them myself and that got me looking, I think the nearest certified shop may be in Nixa so keep that in mind.

I have tried all the shops near here and never got a motor running right, so traveling sounds like the only option.

[fishinwrench]

Suzuki's and Honda's are a problem around here, their marine dealer network is weak, neither company will share tech info with service centers who are not dealers, and nearly every part I order gets backordered from Japan and takes 5-8 weeks to recieve.  They are good motors but unless you have a dealer close by (that will stay in business for more than a few years) I wouldn't want to own one.  I have a tech buddy in Australia and he says it's the same situation down there.   They seem to be the strongest in LA, MS and FL.