Optimax 90hp v Etec 90hp?

hal8 · 12 January 2012, 17:39

I am looking to buy one of these two engine secondhand and was looking for peoples views on which might be better:

Evinrude etec 2009 with 94hrs on the clock with all controls, service history and fully serviced. About £500 more than:

Mercury Optimax 2005 with 160hrs, again with all controls and some service history and fully serviced.

I'm tempted to go with the evinrude but would really appreciate any advice on this!!
Thanks in advance.

Erin · 12 January 2012, 18:00

It pains me to say this (especially with Gotchiguy lurking on the forum) but I'd probably go for the Etec. Sorry Martini

Markyboyo · 12 January 2012, 18:02

Ok, so I may be slightly biased towards the E-tec as I have one but....

Its about 4 years newer, about 40kg lighter and may even have the balance of a 5 year warranty on it.

I have the E-tec 115 (Weight similar to 115 Opti) on a 5.5 rib and find it a bit stern heavy, if buying again I would probably get a 90 and save 40 kgs on the transom.

The Optimax 75, 90, 115 and 125 are all the same weight I think. Good engines but I think the 75 and 90 are heavy for their HP.

Razorbill RIBs · 12 January 2012, 18:17

I have an Opti, and love it, but I really like the ETECs too...... If it were me, i'd go for the ETEC....for all the reasons mentioned

Bal · 12 January 2012, 18:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razorbill RIBs

I have an Opti, and love it, but I really like the ETECs too...... If it were me, i'd go for the ETEC....for all the reasons mentioned

Hi I've found a ral chart will take photo of it and I hope you can match the colour have to got a email or mobile number I can send it to cheers

Boats&Outboards · 12 January 2012, 18:37

I'd go etec but I could add another opti option

I know of a 2008 Opti 90HP with just over 1 yr warranty left, all rigging. 30 genuine hours.

Location Ireland. Priced £4,600

Let me know if you would like the details.

ribraff · 12 January 2012, 18:41

Etec gets my vote, punchy amount of power and quieter than the Opti (in my view)

martini · 12 January 2012, 19:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

It pains me to say this (especially with Gotchiguy lurking on the forum) but I'd probably go for the Etec. Sorry Martini

Apology accepted.

I'd probably go for the Etec as well but only if I couldn't find a Soozy 4 stroke

Erin · 12 January 2012, 19:19

Well said

Kernow Buoy · 12 January 2012, 19:45

happy Opti owner but looking at the age/price difference Etec would be my choice.

ADI · 12 January 2012, 20:00

I've owned both these engines and would go for the Opti.

E tec gave me alot of trouble. Well to be fair on the E tec I was starting to wonder if it was the outboard or the dealer who did not have the skill to fix it.

When the both of them were running they were good just more down time with the e tec.

Still think the Merc looks better though

Nos4r2 · 12 January 2012, 20:33

Opti 90 is a seriously lardy lump. On that alone I'd chose the etec

Given a bigger opti, it'd be 50/50.

HUMBER P4VWL · 12 January 2012, 20:41

Both are pretty good engines I believe. Surely age and warranty vs price are the deciding factor? £500 for a few years newer seems a bargain. Any warranty and it's a no brainer.

hal8 · 12 January 2012, 21:04

yeah, our rib is 5.5m so thought a 90 would be about right, its got a 70 at the moment which means its a bit underpowered.

Thanks for the info.

Pikey Dave · 12 January 2012, 21:26

I know b****r all about Optis,(apart from the ones I've seen/heard are smoky & noisy) so can't comment. The 90 Etec isn't the strongest 90 around, it reputedly only chucks out about 5hp more than the Etec 75. On a 5.5, the 115 Etec might be a better bet, especially if you're loading her up.

Nos4r2 · 12 January 2012, 21:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUMBER P4VWL

Both are pretty good engines I believe. Surely age and warranty vs price are the deciding factor? £500 for a few years newer seems a bargain. Any warranty and it's a no brainer.

Not landing heavily on its arse every time you get airborne would be a deciding factor for me as well.

The Opti is the equivalent of carrying 2 25 litre fuel tanks on the transom over the etec.

However, if your transom could take a 115 Opti, I'd be swinging towards 50/50...

gotchiguy · 12 January 2012, 22:17

One spring morning, a blonde was excited to try out
her new boat. She was unable to have her boat perform,
travel through water, or do any maneuvers whatsoever
no matter how hard she tried.

After trying for over three days to make it work properly, she decided
to seek professional help. She putted the boat over to the local marina
in hopes that someone there could identify her problem.

The workers determined that everything from the engine
to the outdrive was working perfectly on the topside of
the boat. So, a puzzled marina employee jumped into
the water to check underneath the boat for problems.

Because he was laughing so hard, he came up choking on water
and gasping for air. Under the boat, still strapped
in place securely, was the trailer.

Excuse spelling mistakes please, I can't be bothered to correct it.

Erin · 13 January 2012, 09:19

Whatever you're eating/drinking/smoking (delete as appropriate) at that school of yours, I'd be thinking about stopping

.

Jizm · 13 January 2012, 09:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Opti 90 is a seriously lardy lump. On that alone I'd chose the etec

Given a bigger opti, it'd be 50/50.

That's bang on, I was surprised how bulky the 90 opti was when I was tinkering with one a few months ago.

HUMBER P4VWL · 13 January 2012, 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Not landing heavily on its arse every time you get airborne would be a deciding factor for me as well.

The Opti is the equivalent of carrying 2 25 litre fuel tanks on the transom over the etec.

However, if your transom could take a 115 Opti, I'd be swinging towards 50/50...

Very true! Looks like an etec will be sold!