Best outboard motor if you were to repower

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

All the talk on this board about which motor is best, I wonder what a poll might show. My warranty ran out a long time ago so I just like to think about what I might repower with if I get the impulse.

[Terry]

Where is the 60HP range to vote on?
I think Mercury & Yamaha both make the 60 hp from the same powerhead as the 50.

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

Sorry guys, I think the polls here only can have 5 answers so I just picked a list I was interested in. I have a 2000 BF 50 which came in a 40 or 50 HP version. After 2001 when the motor changed, I think it came in a 50 or 60 version of the same engine so probably a 60 would make more sense IMO. I didn't really want to compare various 50 hp models, just one 50 will have to do for this one. If I replace my 50 BF, it would likely need to be with a 90 or larger to make it worth the trouble.

[Catigale]

I think my ideal choice would be a 75 or 90 HP 4 stroke fuel injected motor.

I would up from my present 50 HP not to go faster, but to cruise at 10 kts at lower revs and noise level.

No oil burners for me.....those are for Kixers, kids...

[Moe]

To clarify, the first quote is from James Hebert, the owner of the continuousWave forum... not Moe.

That forum was originally focused on "classic" Whalers, defined by the forum owner as those designed by Dick Fisher or Bob Dougherty, prior to the latter's leaving the company in early 1990. However, like this forum, CW expanded to include the newer models.

As with the 26M, with its reduced ballast aft, the newer Whaler models were designed with the additional weight of a four-stroke on the transom in mind. For the "classic" Whalers any weight advantage of a DFI two-stroke over a four-stroke is significant in terms of handling, not to mention static trim. Nevertheless, as in the Mac community, there are those carrying much heavier outboards than the boat was originally designed for.

[Scott]

I'd go with an inboard

[Mark Prouty]

It looks like the E-Tech requires a special oil. I'm just curious. Is this oil pricey and how hard is it to get?

If price were no object, the 90HP E-Tech would get my vote.

Looks like they won't blow up Like the Evenruid Fichts did.

OMCs two-stroke Ficht outboards have been plagued with problems since they were introduced in 1997 in response to Clean Air Act requirements to reduce hydrocarbon emissions. Ficht fuel injection technology was supposed to reduce emissions by 70% to 80% while increasing fuel efficiency, but early engines became fouled with abrasive soot when operated at low rpm levels. As a result, complete breakdowns occurred while engine hour meters were still registering in the single digits.

Many Ficht owners were sidelined as their engines went through repeated cycles of breakdowns, repairs, factory upgrades and breakdowns. Thousands of engines needed repairs, at a cost of about $1,000 each.

Did the Ficht cause the demise of OMC? That would be my guess.

[DLT]

The ETEC doesn't "require" any special oil. You can use regular two-stroke oil, provided the motor's brain is setup that way.

Alternatively, you CAN have the dealer setup the engine to use their special oil, in which case you only burn about half as much.

There are two places in the Kansas City area that stock the oil. They will also ship it. There are many places out of the Kansas City area that also sell mail order, if need be...

So, the choice is yours...

[Jeff S]

I'd choose a 5-6 year old used carbureted Tohatsu 50hp 2 stroke over all the choices.

Jeff S.

[Jeff S]

I'd choose a 5-6 year old used carbureted Tohatsu 50hp 2 stroke over all the choices.

Jeff S.

Only if money were no object.

I picked the 90hp Tohatsu/Nissan/Etec- the DI 2-strokes seem to be a good all-around choice.

Jeff S