Update: Now with PICS. Opinions on this etc 90 for my 26x

[jbpatents]

Not to confuse you more, but the Etec 60 is really plenty for the Macgregor. The low end torque is superior to competitors 4-stroke engines, and it's lighter. I would take a new, dealer installed, Etec 60 over a used, owner installed, Etec 90 any time. Check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-7I00cZUE0 for example.

[dlandersson]

Interesting.

Not to confuse you more, but the Etec 60 is really plenty for the Macgregor. The low end torque is superior to competitors 4-stroke engines, and it's lighter. I would take a new, dealer installed, Etec 60 over a used, owner installed, Etec 90 any time. Check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-7I00cZUE0 for example.

[Gazmn]

Welcome to Torque Wars Bro

While this is your solo, & I prefer to stay in the background, I'm gonna tell you my experience. I had an E-tec 90 from '06, new, dealer installed. E-tecs worked out their big issues, by '08, to my satisfaction. So much so, that I tracked down a 2010 90HP for sale in SC for $4500. I flew down, bought it, helped take it off flats boat & drove it back up to NY in a rental. IMHO, Any E-tec being sold second hand should have current computer printout provided at cost & by seller Period -As was mine.

I did the 300 Hr Tune up, $1K. & was going to have Evinrude install on my transom. No problems, just money & warranty issues [hand holding].
I'm a pretty handy guy and could handle physical install issues but at the cost of machinery to hoist & hold motor swaps & incidentals. While much of today's technology is plug & play, I think experience & knowledge has value. So going to Evinrude in NY was easier [All Island Marine, Oceanside - Shameless Plug ]

Older, '2010, dials & cabling wouldn't be warranteed with swap & would not be as good as the newer iCom gauges. It was going to cost ~2K for swap out & contingency sale + 1K for my '06 tuneup & report for potential sale.


By the time the smoke clears I would have been 2k away from a Brand new, 7YR Warranteed, More powerful Pontoon V4. I had Previous power issues with my 90 so was ready for more torque. However, 90's by the accounts of most Mac/Etec owners is usually enough. I decided on more Here's my story.

Potential Issues:

1. Macs are 26' boats & are not limited by manufacturer's Label limiting Motor size, officially. However, there are plenty of postings hashing this out - do your own research. I am not under Mac warranty & this was not an issue for me.

2. I did not experience Any problems Ever getting insurance for 90 or 115, period. Just accurately state engine & #'s.

3. Boat responsibly. Don't be a jack ass. Nuff said.

Lastly, update your profile to include location & boat info. It helps all who may answer you.

Good Hunting & Welcome to The Jungle, Baby

[jazaddict]

I lied.
you guys didn't convince me, but I love ya all like bruthas for chipping in you're opinions.

I actually emailed the guy and said that the price he was asking was too close to new and that I'd pass. Then I went to sleep, and when I woke up I was just sick about the possibility of saving something on the order of 2 grand should that motor B a gem.
I emailed him back and said on the other hand if you change your mind and will accept my offer of 7500(he said 7800) to let me know.
Well he did, so I drove to his house we loaded the motor, a couple of gallons of oil, the I command, the cabling and throttle, and left it on his rather stout homemade engine mount(imagine a saw horse of 2x6s) into my ford ranger and trotted off to the Evinrude dealer. The dealer charged me a half an hour labor to strap on their laptop and download the history from the motor.

10 hours, no codes. History read out of max rpm average rpm max temperature average temperature and a few other tidbits that meant little to me. The dealer said he sells more ETEC nineties than all other motors combined, probably 70 or 80 a year. And he never sees them back. So there you have it. I hope this doesn't end up being one of the many foolish decisions I have made in my life.

I'll report back with the dismounting and mounting adventures. Also, at a glance it looks as though the hydraulic steering will fit, but we'll just have to see.

[Tomfoolery]

So I guess I'll have to rent some sorta cherry picker to pull the merc, and put on the evinrude and rig it myself. What could possibly go wrong?

My local Taylor Rental charges $55 per day for an engine hoist. I bought a used 2-ton folding unit for $100. It's built heavier than the Harbor Freight units*, and I can sell it for more than I paid for it. They're in the local classifieds all the time. You may want to look into buying your own rather than paying for one over a 2-day period and not owning it when you're done.

*I just got a HF super coupon for a 1-ton unit for $139.99. That's about as cheap as they ever get, and 1 ton should handle an under 400 lb OB at the longest boom length setting with no problem. That's also about the typical used price.

[Russ]

Check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-7I00cZUE0 for example.

Way back when I was buying my boat and deciding on motors, I sent for the DVD with that video on it. Was very impressed. Then after some research learned it wasn't an apples to apples comparison. What kind of prop where they spinning for the motor requirements.

I still think the etec is an awesome motor, but wouldn't use that video as a valid reason to buy it.

[Russ]

I emailed him back and said on the other hand if you change your mind and will accept my offer of 7500(he said 7800) to let me know.

I knew it! I knew you'd buy that motor. Should have told him $6500.

It will be fine. Not what I would have done, but hopefully the extra cash you saved will make you smile once it's powering your boat nicely.

[Tomfoolery]

Check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-7I00cZUE0 for example.

Way back when I was buying my boat and deciding on motors, I sent for the DVD with that video on it. Was very impressed. Then after some research learned it wasn't an apples to apples comparison. What kind of prop where they spinning for the motor requirements.

I still think the etec is an awesome motor, but wouldn't use that video as a valid reason to buy it.

Unless it's going on a tug boat, a fully stalled tug-of-war test of an engine doesn't really tell you much, IMO. Propped to manufacturer's specs? What specs do the manufacturers use for static thrust testing? OK, they don't, but with almost the same gear ratio (1.85:1 vs 2.0:1), and the same shaft hp (at the prop), there shouldn't be much performance difference in actual use, at speed, though I could see the ETEC having perhaps an inch less pitch with its faster-spinning prop. Assuming the same OD.

Just thinking out loud, because it's fun.

[jazaddict]

Gazm, I previously read your story...twice. 115 scares me (cuz I'm an accidental jackass sometimes) .Thx for the type-up

RussMT, You were right about me I don't feel too suckered....yet ....but 6500? I'm too "heart on my sleeve" for that, I'd be livin under a bridge if I'd tried a career in sales. Im kind of a read, decide what I thinks fair, and go type guy.


mister Foolery, Thx for the tips....might just do that. Going to try some home rigging first.

First thing is to buy a lifting ring

Thx again y'all.

[Tomfoolery]

mister Foolery, Thx for the tips....might just do that. Going to try some home rigging first.

Nothing wrong with home rigging. I've got pics of me pulling the engine out of a Jeep FC170 with a large wooden beam passed through the cab windows (cab-over Jeep pickup, from loooong ago) and wooden legs of some sort, stabilized with manila rope. I was just a pup then.

And anyone who's a jazz addict can call me Tom. My dad was Mister Foolery. I started listening in the early 60's, to WRVR in NYC (Ed Beach, with the deep voice, on the only all-jazz station in the NYC area for a couple of decades), when I was just a kid. Never stopped listening, though WRVR is long gone.

[Gazmn]

Hey Jaz,

I dig your profile. I was just in Port charlotte in 4/11 drooling over house sales in Sailboat water

I used to play woodwinds in HS, but now play guitar professionally. Very Buffettish & James Taylor stuff in NY Restaurants & homes.

Sounds like you got a deal
All the best & hope it works out.

Btb, I've even used an A frame HD Aluminum ladder straddling a 2 ton hoist chain lift to swap out motors. Just be careful & try not to get hurt or damage ur boat / engine.

[jazaddict]

Gazm, next time ur in the area lemme know. We just moved here about 2.5 years back. Love it.

Live out in the sticks 3 miles off the water, by design.....been wanting a 26x since they were the new model . Love having a dryland slip in my driveway that doesn't pi$$ me off when long stretches transpire between feet-wet. I play sax from Sarasota down to Naples.

Tom,
I got plans to build a semi permanent scaffold over the boat that I can move in and out of. It'll hold the rigging for when we're in motor only mode. Aft end will hold the motor. ...what could possibly go wrong?

I err on the side of using what I have if possible before submit to GAS (gear aqusitiion syndrome) ,attacks.

I'll post pix, should be entertaining



Tom,
yup

[Starscream]

Don't forget to add wedges during the installation. The 26X transom angle puts the E-tec in the water at an angle that tends to lift the nose too high. The wedges sort-of correct the angle, but even with them the E-tec 90 pushes the nose up pretty high, at least on my boat.

[jazaddict]

Thx for the tip Starscream. Could u elaborate a little?

I assume the wedges tuck the prop tighter to the transom in full-down position. So the wedge is fat side up?

Where do u get wedges? You have a size or measurement of some kind?

[Starscream]

I got the wedges at the dealer. They are pretty standard parts, I actually didn't specify anything other than "wedges". I looked through all my photos but I have never actually taken a photo that shows them. Your assumptions are correct; they go in between the motor mount and the transom and cause the propeller to be tucked in a bit tighter and force the nose down a bit.

Right, fat side up. I'll try to get to the boat tomorrow (it's at the marina) to measure what I have. If I could do it over again I would get wedges that are a bit more angled than mine are. I still think I could get an extra knot or two if the nose wasn't so high. Maybe not...it's just a feeling. If you end up with some extreme wedges that are too angled, the Etec has a positioning pin that could be placed to counter any wedge.

One other thing, maybe it's too late, but you should check to see what oil the motor is programmed for. According to my dealer, they are all programmed for XD-50 when they go out the door, and they recommended that I stick with the XD50 until at least 25 hours. Then you can change to the XD100 if that's what you want (lots of info on this in some previous threads).

It burns through oil really fast for the first 25 hours so carry a spare half gallon or so.