Choice between Merc 60 vs. ETec 60

[walleyehed]

Re: Choice between Merc 60 vs. ETec 60

Just my opinion, but #3, or #4 would be my top 2 choices.....

 

[Terry H]

Re: Choice between Merc 60 vs. ETec 60

These 4 choices are so close, if you liked one, you would like them all, but if I was looking and they all were the same price I would go #2,3,4,5,1.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Choice between Merc 60 vs. ETec 60

4

 

[BillP]

Re: Choice between Merc 60 vs. ETec 60

100lbs more on the transom of a 14' boat is a LOT of exta weight if you go 4 stroke. Buying the wider hull may be something to consider if going 4 stroke...this will probably cut your top speed down too. Just make sure you get a welded hull because rivets hit a "drag wall" and it takes huge amounts of HP to make more speed. <br /><br />I've been running a 50 Mariner (Merc/Yamaha) since 96 and it's been fine with the exception of a cracked fuel pump housing (cheap azz plastic). I think there is a lot of unwarranted hype about smooth running and being "better" if compared to modern 2 strokes. I still don't like changing crankcase oil & filter, checking valves and having a timing belt to deal with. A 2 stroke is more user friendly to me and synthetic oil eliminates smoke if that's an issue. I'll take an Etec next time around thank you. <br /><br />Pop the covers on the Merc and Etec. Notice how the Merc has more rinky plastic parts compared to the Etec. Ask your dealer to pull out a waterpump impeller and notice the difference in construction and size. You won't believe the difference. Merc's is 1/2 the size and beef of the Etec's. That's the stuff that makes me not want to buy another merc product.

 

[Guest]

Re: Choice between Merc 60 vs. ETec 60

I have a 50 hp E-tec. Here's the skinny:<br /><br />It is a great motor. Very little smoke. Starts in an instant. Very fuel efficient. Quiet and smooth. It also has a small profile compared to the four strokes (although the weight is not much less). <br /><br />The ONLY drawback I have experienced is, at idle speed there's a little vibration. It is a two cylinder engine so it will shake a little more than three or four cylinder motors. But for me, that does not outweigh all the benefits.<br /><br />Sounds like you have some nice options in front of you. Good luck, Trout.

 

[drj24]

Re: Choice between Merc 60 vs. ETec 60

BillP, Yes these are all welded Crestliners. It will be my second one. They are great boats!

 

[winoandino]

Re: Choice between Merc 60 vs. ETec 60

Both are good engines, I like the E-Tec however. Anyone who says a comparable hp engine is smoother has not been in a boat powered by an E-Tec. Then add up the added cost of owning the 4-Stroke over the next several years and the choice becomes clear to me. Plus right not you can get a 7 year warranty on E-Tec. Sound like an easy choice to me.

 

[drj24]

Re: Choice between Merc 60 vs. ETec 60

Originally posted by walleyehed:<br /> Just my opinion, but #3, or #4 would be my top 2 choices.....

Kenny, from your choices I take it that you value HP over lifting strakes and wider hull. Also, the maximum depth of the '04 (83") hull is 35" while the maximun depth of the '05 (79") hull is only 32". Does this mean that the '04 is a deeper V than the '05? Or, is all the heigth above the water line? When you said that the hull design would limit the speed, what does that mean? Sorry for all of the questions but you seem to have done alot of testing and record-keeping. Thanks, John

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Choice between Merc 60 vs. ETec 60

Basically what I was refering to on hull design is that they are not a "pad" type hull, and the Deep-V design in itself on this style of boat is not built for max speed as compared to a fiberglass hull. These boats you mention are built for best over-all handling for there intended use.<br />Lifting strakes are being incorporated into many hull designs in the last few years, but I am not sold on them adding a tremendous amount of stability on lighter aluminum boats, and although I can't prove it, I feel they ride slightly rougher in chop, which Ironically, so does a wider beam, but the wider beam allows better plane outs, and much more stable handling charactoristics. I have an 83" beam but I wish I had a 96".<br />The height of floor is strictly an issue of how the hull is built and how much side area they build into the design.<br />Most of the wider beam aluminum multi-species boats are a bit deeper. If they kept the side height at 32", the deep-V would be a very shallow V at the rear which causes an even rougher ride. The displacement of the hull will allow only a certain amount of "Draft" (Boat part under the water-line, or depth it takes to float).<br />I actually prefer a wider boat with a bit more HP, and the choices I made are based on beam and the weight of the engine choice.<br />Remember, this is just "MY" opinion, and I tend to error on the side of stability with enough poop to move around a good clip without adding extra weight.

 

[drj24]

Re: Choice between Merc 60 vs. ETec 60

Kenny, thanks for the great explanation. I will wait now until the first week of Feb and try the ETec 60hp on the '04 83". If I can get near 40mph I will call it good and be satisfied. What prop would you or anyone else suggest. <br /><br />Bill in IN, what prop are you using on your 50hp ETec? What props should I avoid? How many did you try and what is your top speed on which boat?

 

[gss036]

Re: Choice between Merc 60 vs. ETec 60

The deeper the "V" the smoother the ride, but to really get it smooth on a chop, the 'V' needs to extend all the way to back, (stern). There are several great boats built here in Wa but most tend to be flat and ride rough. drj24 seeing that you are in Spokane, I would not think it would matter much unless you are going to run the Columbia River. A river boat is a whole new ball game.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Choice between Merc 60 vs. ETec 60

This E-Tec uses the same basic gear case as the V-4's...little different gear ratio, but good props available, and many of them.<br />If the dealer will allow you to test some props, that would be the best thing. That engine will loosen up after several hours and I believe it will need to be re-programed for oil ratio after break-in, so it will run a bit better after that, and it may change the RPM slightly.<br />Don't choose on my suggestion here, but I'm guessing it'll be in the 19" range.

 

[winoandino]

Re: Choice between Merc 60 vs. ETec 60

walleye, actually nothing need to be reprogramed. The EMM has a break-in period of I believe 2 hrs over 2000 rpm. Then it will adjust itself to the normal oiling which is about half what it uses during breakin. There is no 10 or 20 hr service on these engines.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Choice between Merc 60 vs. ETec 60

OK, thanks for the info....On the prototypes, they were adjusting the oil ratio manually.....that was the only 2 I've been around.

 

[drj24]

Re: Choice between Merc 60 vs. ETec 60

Originally posted by gss036:<br /> The deeper the "V" the smoother the ride, but to really get it smooth on a chop, the 'V' needs to extend all the way to back, (stern). There are several great boats built here in Wa but most tend to be flat and ride rough. drj24 seeing that you are in Spokane, I would not think it would matter much unless you are going to run the Columbia River. A river boat is a whole new ball game.

Gary, which WA boats are you referring to? Thanks, John

 

[gss036]

Re: Choice between Merc 60 vs. ETec 60

Look in the boat stores, most only have the 'V' about 3/4 way back and then flatten out. When your are planning, that is where you ride, so if it is flat you do a lot more bouncing. SeaSport learned that and changed thier whole line several years back. Look at the Arima, great fishing platform but rough riding in chop.There is another very popular boat out of Seattle ares but can't remeber the name right now. If you are fishing in the river, then you want a flat bottm boat, or mostly flat, look at the river sleds.<br />StarCraft makes a deep 'V' alum which runs all the way to the transom, saw one today, about 16-17 ft

 

[drj24]

Re: Choice between Merc 60 vs. ETec 60

Bill in IN, What prop are you using and which have you tried? What kind of boat are you using your ETec on and what top speed do you get?<br /><br />Thanks, John

 

[BillP]

Re: Choice between Merc 60 vs. ETec 60

I think you will doing REALLY well to get 40mph out of those rigs with any load aboard...35 max would be my guess but it just a guess.

 

[drj24]

Re: Choice between Merc 60 vs. ETec 60

BillP, The 05' Crestliner 79" beam w/ lifting strakes and the 50 MERC (max for that boat) got 39mph w/ 2adults, 10 gal. fuel at sea level. It is this manufacturers test that got me thinking about switching from the '04 boat I have already purchased but have not taken delivery. I'm hoping that my 83" beam, no strakes boat will match that with the ETec 60hp (max). <br /><br />Thanks, John

 

[Terry H]

Re: Choice between Merc 60 vs. ETec 60

drj24 <br />I too, like BillP don't think you will get that many mph with that rig. When you get this boat will you post a follow up with actual results from your own experience. I would be interested in the real time speed you come up with. Thanks