Need to make a decision on make of motor

[Tony E]

Hey riz, I have a 26x and it has a Honda 50 on it. I just finished a 100 mile ( 4 day trip) and burnt less than a tank of gas (under 4 gallons). I have another Honda 40 on a fishing boat and in my opinion they are flawless and the way to go. Everyone else is trying to catch up to Honda and I have heard nothing but bad things with the E-tec so I am glad I skipped them when I got my Honda. I service my own by doing the oils and spark plugs and thats it once a year. Don't cheap out and get the best

[mastreb]

BOAT there's a technique using the shifter (its in the manual) for "winterizing" the boat, which just loads the cylinders up with extra oil. You're supposed to do it any time the motor is going to sit idle for more than a few months.

[WASP18]

The owners manual describes the simple procedure. There is no "button" to press.

[kadet]

Hey riz, I have a 26x and it has a Honda 50 on it. I just finished a 100 mile ( 4 day trip) and burnt less than a tank of gas (under 4 gallons). I have another Honda 40 on a fishing boat and in my opinion they are flawless and the way to go. Everyone else is trying to catch up to Honda and I have heard nothing but bad things with the E-tec so I am glad I skipped them when I got my Honda. I service my own by doing the oils and spark plugs and thats it once a year. Don't cheap out and get the best

And I heard nothing but bad things about Honda, Mercury, Yamaha or insert brand X here and I am glad I got an E-Tec.

The problem with the Internet is a very small number of people that get a lemon can make a product seem bad by their prolific posting and bleating this happens with all brands. Do your own research and don't just go off what you read in forums.

[WASP18]

Hey riz, I have a 26x and it has a Honda 50 on it. I just finished a 100 mile ( 4 day trip) and burnt less than a tank of gas (under 4 gallons). I have another Honda 40 on a fishing boat and in my opinion they are flawless and the way to go. Everyone else is trying to catch up to Honda and I have heard nothing but bad things with the E-tec so I am glad I skipped them when I got my Honda. I service my own by doing the oils and spark plugs and thats it once a year. Don't cheap out and get the best

I guess its all about who you talk to when it comes to e-tec. They're a highly reliable, quality-built high tech engine which sips gas miserly. And it's quiet. They cost a little more but I think it's worth it. I don't think "everyone else is trying to catch up to Honda". You're a proud owner who is enjoying his Honda motor. Likewise with my e-tec.

[BOAT]

BOAT there's a technique using the shifter (its in the manual) for "winterizing" the boat, which just loads the cylinders up with extra oil. You're supposed to do it any time the motor is going to sit idle for more than a few months.

Huh, I guess I need to read up on that, but - how many months? 'boat' is never idle for more than tow or three three months *April May* and then in the January squall season. When should I put all that oil in there?

[mastreb]

BOAT there's a technique using the shifter (its in the manual) for "winterizing" the boat, which just loads the cylinders up with extra oil. You're supposed to do it any time the motor is going to sit idle for more than a few months.

Huh, I guess I need to read up on that, but - how many months? 'boat' is never idle for more than tow or three three months *April May* and then in the January squall season. When should I put all that oil in there?

You and I don't have this "winter" thing to worry about. I've never bothered with it. If you've gone a few months, just keep the RPM below 2000 until the motor is well warmed up.

[Wayne nicol]

my boat has the e tec 60
and its a good motor- but if i was gon na buyt again i woulod get a 4 stroke yamaha 60
a lot quieter, and less smelly oily smoke.
even though the e tecs are way better than the old two strokers- still have lots of oily smoke- if i am trolling at say 3mph- and have a slight tailwind- the smoke will blow into the boat and down below- makes people sea sick in a heart beat

[mallardjusted]

but if i was gon na buyt again i woulod get a 4 stroke yamaha 60

.... or maybe a Yamaha 70, it's only a couple pounds more!

[SENCMac26x]

but if i was gon na buyt again i woulod get a 4 stroke yamaha 60

.... or maybe a Yamaha 70, it's only a couple pounds more!

I can speak from experience, the Yamaha 70 was the best thing I've done.

[seahouse]

my boat has the e tec 60
and its a good motor- but if i was gon na buyt again i woulod get a 4 stroke yamaha 60
a lot quieter, and less smelly oily smoke.
even though the e tecs are way better than the old two strokers- still have lots of oily smoke- if i am trolling at say 3mph- and have a slight tailwind- the smoke will blow into the boat and down below- makes people sea sick in a heart beat

Hey Wayne - that is definitely not normal, you might want to have the engine checked over. There might be a slight amount during the initial engine break-in period, and then for a few seconds in the spring after winterization, but mine still burns remarkably clean after 4 years. The EPA emission numbers are a fair way to compare one engine to another of the same year for exhaust cleanliness, and the numbers are better than many 4-strokes. (And wayyyy better than any of the old 4-strokes)!

I would highly recommend the E-tec to anyone who is considering skiing, wakeboarding etc behind these boats, for the comfort of those in the water. Wish they had them in my younger years, sometimes used to gag (even with new engines at the time) when in the water getting ready to ski .

[Wayne nicol]

its been to the dealer for a once over-and everything seemed fine- hasnt been in for its first service yet though.
and certainly its not smoke like my old evinrude 110 2 stroker
but there is the normal exhaust gas- i really need to build a slide in hatch for under the helm seat- to restrict smoke in the cabin- but having used the yammies on fishing boats- i just love their super quiet operation-
i wonder how they fit for size compared to the e-tecs.

[mastreb]

BOAT there's a technique using the shifter (its in the manual) for "winterizing" the boat, which just loads the cylinders up with extra oil. You're supposed to do it any time the motor is going to sit idle for more than a few months.

Huh, I guess I need to read up on that, but - how many months? 'boat' is never idle for more than tow or three three months *April May* and then in the January squall season. When should I put all that oil in there?

You and I don't have this "winter" thing to worry about. I've never bothered with it. If you've gone a few months, just keep the RPM below 2000 until the motor is well warmed up.

Hey Wayne, I have no smoke at all below 2000 rpm. Something is going on with oil delivery. Are you within your first few hours still? They burn oil on purpose during the break-in period.

[eco]

I will vote for a Honda anytime anywhere. I am not an experienced sailor but I know of engines since I am servicing/ repairing my own cars electronic or not (plus my outboard Honda). I found all the repair manuals I needed, plus parts catalog etc, online (but not for Yamaha).

I hope it helps BF50A

[DaveB]

I had the 1997 Honda 50, it is no match for my 2013 Merc. 50 bigfoot.
Maybe the newer Hondas with EFI and can put out 17 amps and Lower end Bigfoot?
The Merc's bigfoot still does the job of pushing the Mac at 18 mph with very heavy boat.
Time has tested the 50 bigfoot after 20 years in service and parts are easy to find and much less costly.
Mac X is rated for 50 hp, most marine installers will not put on more HP. Insurance will probably disclaim your insurance because of overpower due to Mac's 50 max HP.
My feeling is that adding a 90 hp that can do 28-30 mph will do damage to centerboard pivot point and line, along with constant pounding of hull and connections.
The built in water ballast could also be fractured under constant pounding at higher speeds.
Also all the standing rigging and mast at snap jolt can fracture.
There are many other things that require attentions at higher speed and shock load
Shock Load, You are doing 22 mph in you 90 hp Mac. Power boat goes by one side and another opposite direction, Happens all the time.
Your boat is now a victim of whip latch.
Force is enough to damage chain plates or brake a strand or two on your stays or much worse.(most likely spreader bent)
Dave

I will vote for a Honda anytime anywhere. I am not an experienced sailor but I know of engines since I am servicing/ repairing my own cars electronic or not (plus my outboard Honda). I found all the repair manuals I needed, plus parts catalog etc, online (but not for Yamaha).

I hope it helps BF50A