The E-Tec thing has been done to death many a time. Funny thing is that in areas with good reputable dealer representation, there are "white" motors everywhere. Mine's a 2006 - it's had a few minor issues but never stood me up. Would I buy another one - yes if the current engine available was best suited for my wants and needs. As it stands currently in my HP range it would be the small block G2 or the New Merc V6. Both engines, much like their competition have feature's I am not necessarily fussed with - as do their competitor's but that's life. E-Tec's are like the odd kid at school - easy to pick on because they're different. Coupled with bad blood from OMC's departure which left a lot of not only owners but dealers in a really bad spot, their extremely targeted advertising campaign (which put the 4 banger boys WAY offside) and a few teething problems with new technology, it's no wonder that the bad press escalated to the point it became very difficult to separate fact from fiction. As far as dealers are concerned, more than 4/5ths of them straight up are going to tell you E-Tec's are crap ...…..surprising - not so much - they are hardly going to endorse a product they don't sell and every internet failure is going to do the rounds 4 times out of 5 as a mate of a mates - just the way things are. Are E-Tec's perfect - no - like every man made item they have their foibles but I can't think of a brand that I haven't come across an owner of that wasn't thoroughly pissed off.

At 800 hours, I would say that the engine is no less reliable or likely to break down than any other brand. I know guy's that have written off Suzuki's due to sump corrosion issues with less hours, Yamaha owners who spent big dollars on gearbox issues (one in particular when he rang the dealer, the dealer basically told him to the letter what was wrong and with which engine based on hours - seen a few before I suspect - 500 hours use only) not to mention internet gossip on Merc's and Honda's and other under warranty failures (usually catastrophic) of grey and blue engines - but that's what warranty is for is it not. Second hand - any engine is a gamble. Don't like to gamble - buy new.

Probably the biggest thing with an E-Tec is selling to a smaller market place due to all the E-Tec bashing. You can still get good money for them if you have an engine in good condition and are happy enough to wait for someone who isn't worried about all the internet carry on. There are plenty who will try and use them as a bargaining chip and try to beat prices down on the premise they are going to instantly repower...……..hmmmm. Like I posted - there are a stack of them in SE Qld and I'm sure they weren't all sold new. Some dealers won't trade them purely for this reason - they want stock that moves readily. They also find it a little awkward selling a technology that they spend a fair bit of time hanging shit on too I suspect.

Commercial engines - quite a following in these parts with pro crabbers. All down to hours and servicing. One netter I know personally has now run E-Tec since their inception. He had some early issues - but he's still running Evinrude. Dealer representation I suspect is the reason. It is massively important with any new tech motor unless you have the smarts (and can get the computer gear) for your engine.

Is the above enough reason to rule Evinrude's out of your purchase - only a decision the individual can make.


As for the boat - if it's in need of repair but you really like it, get quotes and factor that into your offer. If it's accepted at least then you will know what you are starting with once it's fixed. If not, move on wiser for the experience.