05-14-2019 04:42
I am looking at re-powering my polarkraft MV1675DB duck boat. I am replacing my 2003 Mercury 25hp motor. I am looking for a long shaft, tiller, electric start with power trim and tilt. I would like to run a stainless impeller in the shallow stump filled waters I run in.
Will running a stainless prop give me cluth dog rattle like I have heard on Suzuki's?
I am not encouraged about durability after reading of the many problems people have with these motors. Are there any owners out there that can give me a long term review? I would like to think I wasn't taking a big risk in buying this motor. Any comparison to the Merc 30 EFI?
Thanks!
05-15-2019 06:22
05-15-2019 10:55
I always double dose my fuel with STABIL 360 marine, especially because I can only get E10 gasoline. My boat is garage kept and I run a transom mounted fuel/water separator - filter. I have seen too many friends with EFI engines spend lots on injectors because they didn't have a filter. I hear ya.
I really want to like these engines enough to buy one. Take aways from internet search:
Early problems with water pumps. Should be solved now.
Oil tank leaks. Maybe solved in production?
Lots of plastic under the hood, especially fuel and oil systems. Could be ok like a Toyota but could all start coming apart as engine ages like any German car owner knows (their engineering is pretty good except German chemical engineers must be the flunkies of their system).
Engines run great when they work right but when they don't you need a tech with a PHD and a crystal ball to figure out what is wrong. First trip to the shop never fixes the problem. Warranty is good but don't plan on getting that motor back for a while.
Parts are WAYYY too expensive, especially considering the plastic content. Availability is only so-so. Example: Spark Plugs, you are kidding me with the cost right?
Please talk me into this motor. I like all the cool stuff it is supposed to do like winterizing (or summerizing in my case), power and the ability to run a stainless prop which is very important to me. Biggest thing for me is reliability. It could be life threatening if that thing dies on me on a duck hunting trip in the middle of winter. A good warranty and a dealer thirty miles away won't do me much good. Did I mention that the e-tec is $500-$100 more than the competition?
I am not a plant nor a hater, I promise, I just have a lot at stake for a guy buying a little motor.
05-15-2019 08:11
05-15-2019 09:18
Thanks for the reply. I know nobody builds the perfect outboard, not even Yamaha. My old mercury, is the best machine I have ever owned. My dad's old two stroke Eninrude was a champ also. I just don't know if outboards have evolved as well as auto technology. It seems like they are cleaner and quieter but not more reliable or durable.
05-16-2019 06:02
05-19-2019 07:02
I was told the lower unit was the same as the venerable old 35 which was durable enough to plow through duck swamps. However, that was a lie. Evinrude added some holes for etecs below the anti aeration plate that leads to exhaust gas ingestion, starving the impeller and failing it. Proper development testing would have discovered that. Then you are hosed on the water. Ensure the dealer plugs them, if they haven't removed the holes since rolling out this change a year ago.
Merc's in that size are built in China
Once they fixed that, it has not stranded me, but I have several examples of poor product design and development that shouldn't exist. Useless turning friction lever and tiller angle adjustment screw, throttle cable failure, hood latch fell off in 40 feet of water. All covered under warranty. And mine was built in Wisconsin........
Now, it's started surging at higher throttle openings and idles poorly. I need to look into that now.