E-Tec 115 vs Optimax 115

[TD_Maker]

As some of you know, I blew up my older 1987 Mercury 70HP Motor a couple of months ago. This motor was mounted on the back of my McKee Craft (Cape Fear) Center Console boat that I really love. I have decided to repower with the Maximum HP rated for the boat....115 hp; although, the 90 HP motors would also be a grear choice for my rig.

I attended the Miami International Boat Show last weekend. After much debate, I have narrowed my motor choices down to the Evinrude E-Tec 115, and the Mercury Optimax 115. Both motors weigh about the same, but most importantly (to me) is the fuel injected 2 Stroke. I fish a lot of skinny water, so the 2 stroke torque is also very important to me.

I have experiene with both brands of motors, but I am beating myself up with this decision. I know this is a loaded question, but what do you guys think? Mercury or Evinrude?

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: E-Tec 115 vs Optimax 115

Dealer availability and cost.

Both motors should do the job equally well. Which can you get cheaper and which dealer is closer? Which dealer is more accomodating and easier to work with? If you have a dealer that sells both, ask them which they prefer to sell and ask them why.

 

[speed_demon]

Re: E-Tec 115 vs Optimax 115

Price being the same go with the e-tec. Evinrude purposely under-rates the 115 so it will blow away the competition in real world tests. The Evinrude displaces about 106ci while the Mercury displaces about 93ci. It's not magic or technology. It's just a bigger engine. I've seen many conflicting dry weights for the Evinrude but I'm pretty sure it's going to be about 15lbs heavier (375 vs 390lbs).

 

[seahorse5]

Re: E-Tec 115 vs Optimax 115

the weight difference 375# or 390# on the E-TEC is whether it is a 20" or 25" shaft engine. The 25" shaft version comes with the V-6 size gearcase which accounts for most of the weight difference. The bigger gearcase should last a super long time as the gears and bearings are the same size as used in the more powerful V-6 engines.

the E-TEC is much much quieter than the Opti which makes for a more enjoyable time on the water.

Both are good engines.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: E-Tec 115 vs Optimax 115

I have read sales brochures talking about how well built the Optimax is and what went into it's design and mfgring.

I also saw a video on the E-Tech and it's engineering and mfgring. I can't believe that they don't use thousands of an inch (.001) of tolerancing any longer in critical points, like engine internal dimensioning. Today it's ten-thousandths of an inch (.0001). To me it's not necessarily the number, but the implication. If you are going to mfgr production parts to that kind of tolerance, it pretty well says to me that you are going to have excellent control on your mfgring processes and can predict the performance of your product before you pour the first casting. Then they hook them up to a computer in their final test tank and run each engine for 15 minutes ensuring the performance they require. Consider the competitive challenges the current owner has, one can only surmise that they put an all out effort in it to beat the competition.

On the gear box, the larger box means a larger prop by roughly an inch. But fishing skinny water, to me the name of the game is a fast hole shot and with a larger dia prop you can get more thrust in the prop you select (if you don't botch up other parts of the selection) and ensure a faster hole.

On cubes, Merc proved that to themselves in their V6 engines for bass boats that started out at 2000 cc for the 150 and not long after went to 2500 cc to get the cubes up to get the hole shot. Heck, OMC proved that cubes matter back in the 40's. And in drag racing, when is the last time you saw a full blown SMALL block V8 win a drag?

Oh and my last OMC was in the '80's. Have been black ever since.

My 2c and worth every penny you paid for it.

Mark