Etech or Mercury Optimax?

Blue Thunder · Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 8:10 am Post subject: Etech or Mercury Optimax?

Hi everyone,
I'm renovating my boat (1978 Mustang half cab) and besides re spray painting it, new electrics etc; I want to upgrade the motor. I had an Evinrude 115 on it, which never gave me any big problems or headaches. I wish to go for a 130HP Etec, and I would like from anyone with these motors what you think about the pros & cons of them. Also some say that the Mercury Optimax are better. Any suggestions please?
Thank you

frozenpod · Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 9:01 am Post subject:

Optimax is a great donk but the V6's (unsure about the smaller ones) are noisy as all hell.

ggoss · Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 9:17 am Post subject:

Optimax has been around for a long time and is well proven. Great, reliable outboard IMO.

Certainly loader than etec and 4-stroke outboards at idle / low rpm's.

They all get load when you open them up

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Blue Thunder · Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 4:35 pm Post subject:

Thanks guys for the input. Tell you the truth I was leaning towards the Etec more than the Mercs. The reason mainly is because the Mercury runs on three cylinders while the Etec on four. Both rev up to 5000-5700 max on WOT. 115-130HP) I believe that the extra cylinder makes the engine to labour less on the same load. It's like having three horses pulling a load, but if you have four horses the load is distributed better. That's from a mechanic point of view ( which I am) I appreciate your views. Thank you all. - Vincent

frozenpod · Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 5:20 pm Post subject:

I would also take a look at the 135hp opti.

Wildfish1 · Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 6:44 pm Post subject:

For me the Etec, that 130 is a sweet engine, turn the key and listen to them both running then decide. Both are good engines.

Captain Bumwash · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 11:58 am Post subject:

Wrong on both accounts....the Opti 90 is 1595cc and 3 cylinder....the etec 90 is also 3 cyleinder and 1295 cc.....the largeer dispalcement of the opti should mean it is workling less hard to perform.....I have an Opti and have been very happy with it....power and fuel efficiency is great....I used to have Yamaha 60 4 stroke and I would argue my 90 opti is as fuel efficient as my old Yammy 60 HP 4 stroke.....I will stick with opti...

Nortical · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 12:30 pm Post subject:

I went through the same process. I have a 560f which i bought with a 120 jhonson on it. I was tossing up between the 135 opti
And 130 etec. Went with the etec because I liked the guages
And the 4 cylinder configuration. Have done 200hrs in the past 12 months, only issue was the trim tilt cylinder leaking internally fixed under warranty.

kingy1978 · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 12:36 pm Post subject:

Both good engines, I'm an Etec man and the service is really what pushed me over the edge. Either motor really you cant go wrong plus you'll probably buy and Opti a little bit cheaper but then Etec will make it back on the servicing costs, thats what I found anyway.

Gunny · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 12:41 pm Post subject:

Captain Bumwash

We are talking about 130hp here not 90hp, so your post is some what pointless.

Etec 130hp is a V4 1727cc

As mercury do not offer a 130hp engine you are looking at:
-125hp Inline 3 1526cc

The 135hp has been removed from the merc range.