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Should I go with a 150 e-Tec or a 150 optimax?

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Georgiaboy67

Advanced Contributor
Should I get a new 150 evinrude etec or a new 150 mercury Optimax? I'm looking at buying a new boat since mine is a money pit and I can't handle it anymore. I hear mixed reviews about each motor. Info is greatly needed!
 
What's y'alls reasonings? Obviously the websites for both products state that they outperform the other.. I'm just wondering about typical standard maintenance costs, etc between the two.
 
Here is my opinion both are very good motors. I pick the E-Tec because BRP is sticking their R&D money into 2 strk technology so factory support will be around for a long time. Mercury on the other hand is putting their R&D money into 4 strk technology and I think will be phasing out 2 strk motors sooner than later. And Mercury is not great about factory support for their discontinued motors.
 
And Mercury is not great about factory support for their discontinued motors.
Click to expand...

Merc support is better than BRP as the first mutter of Ficht they hang up the phone.....
I lean toward Merc as the Opti has been on market quite a while and most dealers are trained in Opti repair now. The Etec is way over engineered and dealer must be up to date to service one properly. But if I had cash in hand to buy a new motor for my bassboat it would be a hands down pick of the Yammy 250SHO
 
Merc support is better than BRP as the first mutter of Ficht they hang up the phone.....

But the OP is not looking at a FICHT. My opinion is on the BRP designed and built E-TEC. All the new engines are over engineered just the nature of the times. I do agree with the Yamaha SHO being a viable option. Mercs past history does not bear out great support for discontinued motors and they have been owned by the same company for 30+ yrs. . With Evinrude at least you had a serious ownership change.
 
I've not had any trouble with support from brp... since my current motor is a 97 evinrude 115. I've had trouble with the previous service shop... I just see a lot less E-Tecs and a lot more mercury. I wasn't sure if it was cause of just the price or the reliability of the motors..
 
I hnow of one idividual with a 2007 model 115 HP opti.---------------Said he could not find a shop enthused about rebuilding it for him.--------------Some of these motors appear to be too complex for anything more than basic routine service.
 
Especially if there training isn't exactly what some would say "up to date" with good ol technology advancing. I've not heard of many Yamaha failures... I know they are about as heavy as you can get with a boat motor and prObably less top end speed then most..
 
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