Decisions, decisions... Which motor and why?

[Wetsocks]

Here's my choice....

1999 50hp Nissan, 2002 Johnson 50 HP, 1999 Honda BF50A 50 HP, or a 2006 Etec 60 hp

Can I ask you all-knowing-and-powerful boat gods to share your insight into these motors? Reliability is my main concern. (It would be for a )

Thanks in advance!

[kelseydo]

Wetsocks,
I've got two summers use with the 1996 50 HP Nissan that came with my X. It is the three carburetor version that needed syncing when I got it and like all two strokes the timing is very sensitive to elevation changes (my three closest lakes are 4000, 5000, and 6000 MSL). The compression is good on all three cylinders (a must check item on any used engine), it's light, it's slim, and so far has been a good strong performer. Nissan/Tohatsu is on the short list if I move up to a larger motor.
Dan

[Divecoz]

That's quite an array of choices and a few obvious ( popular )ones are missing. Have you looked at IBOATS.com for used motors with guarantees? Pretty tempting prices..shipping seems not to be a problem.
But of those you have listed...The Nissan and Honda are both 11 years old. That said I sold my 10 year old Explorer with 60K and was pristine and 100% Adult driven. sold in 5 minutes for my asking price. But that Honda swings a BF a Big Prop and the bigger the prop the better that motor can be used to manuver your boat, especially at low speeds. The Johnson is 3 years newer ,does it have the Big Prop. No doubt the ETEV is the newest $$$$ and might well be in the best shape (????) is it swinging a big 14" prop or the little 11=12"??
Lots of issues IMHO to consider. Which motors have service available in your area . Quick check of the phone book provides that answer.. For sure do a Compression check on any motor your thinking about. As for reliability? All are represented by owners on this board. Same as with Cars or anything else , many have their favorites for good and not so good reasons..Where you intend to sail Does matter as well. How you intend to use it matters a lot as well. Several here use their boats for short term long distance live-aboards and are happy "enough" with those little Nissans / Tohatso's..By and large IMHO a small lightweight motor making lots of HP... pushing a Big Boat and these Are Big Heavy Boats... is just not going to take the abuse that a bigger heavier motor will. We are Not Talking Porsche here All Things Being Equal...I would lean towards the motor with the largest prop.. Ahh one last point of contention and having spent 100'sssss of hours on 2 stroke Powered Dive Boats.. ( no one uses them commercially anymore) They call 2 strokes 2 smokes for a good reason .. all except maybe that ETEC.. But again where and how you use the boats can make.... a huge difference. I saw over the years that Many people find 2 stroke smoke nauseating onboard a slow moving boat... a couple whiffs of that smoke down in the cabin will linger for a long time or can....

Here's my choice....

1999 50hp Nissan, 2002 Johnson 50 HP, 1999 Honda BF50A 50 HP, or a 2006 Etec 60 hp

Can I ask you all-knowing-and-powerful boat gods to share your insight into these motors? Reliability is my main concern. (It would be for a )

Thanks in advance!

[Highlander]

I- Boats .com I bought an eng from them so did Beene , you'll get a 1-2 yr old eng from them at about half the price of a new one & they ship right out of BC Can. also thats where my eng came from I could even look up the shipping add. there if you'd like

J

[Wetsocks]

Thanks for the the replies! I hadn't considered prop size before. Doh!
I do think I will be using the motor a lot.
My last boat had a smoky engine, ... it was horrible, even without a cabin.
Thanks for the iBoats heads up!

[jschrade]

The ETEC 60 does not smoke. It fits our needs perfectly, the ability to motor when the wind isn't cooperating.

What are you planning to do with it? That makes a huge difference in your choice.

Jim

[Wetsocks]

What am I doing with it? I'll be learning to sail, while in the Pacific northwest, so I know that tides and currents are always an issue. Short trips to local islands and Desolation Sound, and overnighters, but no week-long excursions until I'm more comfortable with the boat. There are a few stretches of water here I'd probably want to cross quickly, so a reliable motor that will move the boat nicely is a priority.

[vkmaynard]

A 90 Hp will get you across quickly:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqKgqweVZVQ

[Divecoz]

IMHO and my life experiences.......dreams hopes and ideas can and do change along the way to produce what we call ...life..
I say that because in spite of "our" initial plans for this boat , now about 6 years ago.. a couple major plans changed over time.
When I bought this boat. I bought with little reserve to cost... so to speak... after all I had read here and elsewhere it was going to be a trailer sailor...
I thought I would trailer it everywhere. I did trailer it a few times.. I did trailer it to SW Florida for a 4 month Vacation.. that idea worked. For us it was to be NEW...... BTDT with used boats and didn't want to do it again with a boat a Sail Boat that I didn't have experience with..
I Almost invested in what would have been a too small a motor .. I am SURE glad I didn't go with that idea! That idea ( I now call it a brain fart) was for a time, bouncing around on this board..... That would have been disastrous... I have needed that 50 HP big foot / big prop several times... and its just easier and better all the time...in EVERY situation
At the time in this area ( the Midwest) there was quiet a bit of hullabaloo about a 135HP being added to a Mac and a Transom issue..
I had already decided on a Mercury and I now felt I really wanted the Mercury 60 HP BF EFI..what the heck..a couple bucks more and 20% more HP same weight blablabla. The Marina/boat shop..not.... the dealer for my boat, refused to install it . refused to install anything over the "recommended " 50 HP..He was in over his head in litigations..$$$.
I had for my own personal reasons decided on a Mercury. In Part because I knew I wanted the Big Prop. I have been boating and water skiing behind a bunch of boats since about 1960. I know its not all HP it has much to do about the transferring of torque. These really are Huge Boats, Heavy Boats lots of displacement issues.. When was the last time you saw any 26' boat "sporting" a 50 H.P. O.B. on the back?
Why such a long post? Because the Motor is.... The Most Expensive addition , you may ever make to this boat and it will be the most costly to change later........
IMHO ......14" Prop.. then HP ......Nothing less than a 50......

[Wetsocks]

vkmaynard, very nice!

Actually a Suzuki 60 is on my list too. Brand new one.

[Matt19020]

I can not give you any better advice other then to pick a brand that is serviced locally...
I did not concider this and my CLOSEST service facillity is 60+ miles...It is mighty inconvenient!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not that it is in the shop all the time but when you want a quick fix or routine maintenance it sucks to pull the boat and drive 1+ hours to get it looked at.

[Bleakco]

I repowered my 2001 removing a nissan 50 and installed an etec 60...lots of power, better, less fuel consumption,better, no carbs to drip when tilting the motor, better, and it has a winterizing mode that is extremely easy to complete for winter storage, best,....no choke just turn the key an 1/2 sec later the motor is purrrrring. NICE, I was able to get a computer program for my laptop to keep it tuned up for $100 off ebay...all in all I LOVE the new motor......bob