1998 Evinrude FICHT 200hp-thoughts?

[Jacob645]

Looking at a boat with one on it. Very nice boat and motor for 5000. Just checking to see if I'm going to run into a lot of headaches in the future with the motor beforehand. Thanks!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1998 Evinrude FICHT 200hp-thoughts?

run the other way FAST. if it were a 2000 maybe.

 

[Jacob645]

Re: 1998 Evinrude FICHT 200hp-thoughts?

What are some of the main problems with them?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1998 Evinrude FICHT 200hp-thoughts?

the electronics.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: 1998 Evinrude FICHT 200hp-thoughts?

there never was a 200 FICHT for 1998.

What is the whole model number?

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: 1998 Evinrude FICHT 200hp-thoughts?

I have seen some very nice boats for $5K...dont jump on one with a Fitch..get a 2-stroke, 4-stroke, optimax or e-tec, the brands I have confidence in are OMC, Merc/Mariner, Suzuki, Yamaha. I have seen 18-21' CC boats with a 4-stroke for around 5K, some even have t-top, electronics, livewell, anchor, life jackets, flares and/or aluminum trailer. Cash is king right now so do not part with it until you get what you want.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: 1998 Evinrude FICHT 200hp-thoughts?

It is too bad that OMC didn't get it right with the buying public with the FICHT fiasco....they actually did a lot of things right with the design, engineering and warranty repairs.

By the 1999-2000 model year they pretty much had all the bugs worked out. However, with the bankruptcy and the BRP take over everyone jumps to the conclusion that the FICHT is bad no matter what. Chances are if the motor is still running strong it is a good motor that has probably recieved all of the recall updates and/or has a replacement powerhead.

From my experience the FICHT motors are just as well supported with parts availability as any other motor that OMC produced. They aren't cheap to maintain but what direct injected two stroke has "cheap" parts?

I have to ask if it wasn't for FICHT would the E-Tec have ever come to be?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1998 Evinrude FICHT 200hp-thoughts?

Evinrude was not ready to introduce the FICHT, should have worked on it longer. Service training.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 1998 Evinrude FICHT 200hp-thoughts?

run the other way FAST.

Words to live by !!!
Take the advice.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: 1998 Evinrude FICHT 200hp-thoughts?

Evinrude was not ready to introduce the FICHT, should have worked on it longer. Service training.

I don't disagree that OMC messed up and should have worked out more of the kinks before the released the FICHT....they should have also provided significant service training to their servicing dealers.

That said, how does that affect the "reliability", serviceability and useability of the motor 11 years later?

I can understand the "run away" statement for a motor that would make a better anchor than a motor. In this case the motor is 11 years old. If it is running good and had been well maintained, at this point what is the downside?

If this motor is a FICHT and it is a 200 HP motor, it must be a 1999 at the earliest.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1998 Evinrude FICHT 200hp-thoughts?

it is one lucky motor. even today there are not many that know the proper way to service them.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: 1998 Evinrude FICHT 200hp-thoughts?

The motor must have been built on a Wednesday.

For those dealers that sell and service E-Tecs are the FICHT motors an issue?

 

[Jacob645]

Re: 1998 Evinrude FICHT 200hp-thoughts?

I've read that most of the problems were in the 150's and 175's, but that the whole name got tarnished because of them. Here is a pic of the motor from the ad. Can you tell the year model by the cowling? I'm trying to get the exact model number from the guy.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: 1998 Evinrude FICHT 200hp-thoughts?

If I were to guess I say that is a 2000...maybe a late 1999. I think that is the first they went with the white cowl and gray/blue decals. Although, the 200 hp motors may have had white right from the beginning.

Here is a article about one of the more serious issues that has the possibility to occur with all of the OMC built FICHT motors. It has to do with the fuel system and possible leaks that lead to fires/explosions. I would guess that the motor in question has probably had the recalls performed on it. A dealer should be able to let you know if everything has been performed as it should have been.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQK/is_3_6/ai_74699547/?tag=content;col1

 

[seahorse5]

Re: 1998 Evinrude FICHT 200hp-thoughts?

From your picture it looks like a 1999 model with the black air intakes in the front face of the motor cover. That made it kinda noisey at high speeds. The 2000 models had intake vents along the top aft sides and the sound was quieter.

The model number is the important thing.

Have it checked out thoroughly by a trained technician as if the hours are low, then the motor spent a lot of time inactive and that is when corrosion and stale fuel deposits start doing damage.

 

[kevmiller]

Re: 1998 Evinrude FICHT 200hp-thoughts?

I have a 2000 Wellcraft w/ twin Ficht 150's. Aside from a fried EMM (sand in water passage), courtesy of previous owner, they run fine. I have put over 100 hours on mine since September with nothing more than a set of spark plugs. Just make sure you have the mods for the fuel leak issues on the V-8 models.

 

[jonesg]

Re: 1998 Evinrude FICHT 200hp-thoughts?

If you don't buy it you don't need to concern yourself with whether its been updated or not.

For $5K I could buy a lot more boat.
Its a terrible economy for selling a boat these past few years.