2or 4 stroke evinrude or merc?

[metalhead65]

heres what i want to do. im going to buy a 16 Alum.with a 50hp max with a center console. I am going to put a jet pump on it for about 3 mos. out of the year. my favorite fishing is steelhead on my local river and a jet is a must. i want to be able to put 3 or4 guys in the boat and still get upriver. the rest of the year ill run it with the prop.the 2 stroke e-tec are about 50 lbs lighter than optimax.those are my two choices since i live in ca. ive been told that with a pump that the responsiveness of a 2st is better. i dont care about fuel consumption and noise. from past experience with o/b jets weight means alot. also i dont want the hassle of maintenance,oil changes and whatnot. i have enough crap around that i have to change oil and stuff i dont need anymore. i know that there are some very smart people on these boards so i would appreciate some input. ive been doing my homework on these issues and im very close to buying so what i glean from this forum is probably gonna seal the deal.thanks ahead of time for any input. MH

[JB]

If your choices are Etec or Optimax you are choosing 2 stroke vs 2 stroke. The Evinrude Etec is one generation advanced technology beyond the Optimax.

If you are confusing the Optimax with the Merc 4 stroke (I don't know if there is a 50HP Opti), then your priorities lean very heavily toward the Etec.

[metalhead65]

i think you are right about the 50 opti.

[tashasdaddy]

i'm sure you are aware, there is a big difference in the output of the jet and the prop. you will have to use a motor that the propped hp, is the highest the boat is rated for. then with the jet you are going to loose part of that HP, with the jet output.

[steelespike]

The 60 hp Etec is the same as the 40 and 50 and weighs the same.You may want to go with the extra 10 hp for the jet.I believe Etec has no maintenance for the first 3 years.Also an excellent reputation.

[metalhead65]

the boat,i just brought it home today and its max hp is 50. if iput a 60 with the jet it is legal but if i put the prop on(which would be the majority of time) then it would be illegal `would itl not? i could be wrong. also there is 50 evinrude in the o/b motor section. its not an e-tec and i can have it shipped out of state.theres also a merc 50. the rude is an 04 but never used with 3 yr man. warranty. the merc is an 06 but only has a 1 yr man. warranty but its 1,000$ cheaper.has anyone had any expoereince buying from iboats. im aware of the power loss with the jet, i just want to be sure that i can still get upriver with three 200lbers(fishin buddies not fish!) in the boat.my old boat was 16' ski barge with a 70 jonny with a jet and with three of me in it it was real tough to get goin.that old boat was extremely heavy i suspect. thanks for the input. keep it comin