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Old 11-11-2015, 12:22 AM   #1
Benny
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E-tec 30 Opinions

Anyone out there with a 25 or 30 hp e-tec? Searching the board didn't come up with much for reviews or solid use.

I am considering buying a new motor for my 14 ft inflatable and the e-tec 30 seems to be the most bang for buck I can find in a 15" shaft. I'm not opposed to a 4 stroke, but I feel like I'd have to get 40 hp 4 stroke to match the performance on a 30 2 stroke.

Plus the price really climbs when you get into 40hp and above

Just hoping someone might have info on reliability, common issues, fuel burn etc.

I have 2005 25hp Merc 2 stroke on my boat now, its a good runner I just want a little more peace of mind and better fuel burn.

Thanks
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Old 11-11-2015, 01:34 AM   #2
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Re: E-tec 30 Opinions

My boat had a FICHT on it; to say it was light years better than the Original Ocean Runner series motor would be an understatement.
I have run a couple boats with E-tecs on them, and yes, they are a little better than the FICHT was. Low oil consumption, very good fuel economy. The weight penalty of the 4 strokes is less on the bigger motors, but for a rubber ducky with a 10-30hp, it would be a real difference.
They have had a solid service reputation, and are pretty long lived.
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Old 11-11-2015, 06:54 PM   #3
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Re: E-tec 30 Opinions

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Originally Posted by rojodiablo View Post
My boat had a FICHT on it; to say it was light years better than the Original Ocean Runner series motor would be an understatement.
I have run a couple boats with E-tecs on them, and yes, they are a little better than the FICHT was. Low oil consumption, very good fuel economy. The weight penalty of the 4 strokes is less on the bigger motors, but for a rubber ducky with a 10-30hp, it would be a real difference.
They have had a solid service reputation, and are pretty long lived.
Thanks. I am thinking of going to Inflatable Specialists in Ventura, seems like their advertised price is decent. If they are a bust, do you recommend another shop?
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Old 11-11-2015, 08:53 PM   #4
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Re: E-tec 30 Opinions

Don't know many shops up that way. Possible choices are Sea Witch Marine, and Advance Marine. Not really sure, I used to deal with a shop which went out of business a couple years back, and the new owners are not people whom I like nor want to deal with.
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Old 11-11-2015, 10:06 PM   #5
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Re: E-tec 30 Opinions

Go see Eric at Specialty Marine in Oxnard. Way better prices and deals on Honda and Suzuki outboard.
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Old 11-11-2015, 10:13 PM   #6
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Re: E-tec 30 Opinions

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Don't know many shops up that way. Possible choices are Sea Witch Marine, and Advance Marine. Not really sure, I used to deal with a shop which went out of business a couple years back, and the new owners are not people whom I like nor want to deal with.
Right on, thanks.

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Go see Eric at Specialty Marine in Oxnard. Way better prices and deals on Honda and Suzuki outboard.
I'll keep that in mind, but I pretty set on a 2 stroke for now. I see specialty marine has deals on factory blems though, which would be a good deal for anyone looking to get a Honda

http://www.specialty-marine.com/engi...als-honda.html
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Old 11-12-2015, 12:16 PM   #7
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Re: E-tec 30 Opinions

inflatable boat specialists in oxnard does great work, $$pricey tho$$
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Old 11-15-2015, 05:48 AM   #8
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Re: E-tec 30 Opinions

I got my current engine from Regency Boats and Motors in MDR. They seem to specialize in ribs and inflatables. My experience so far has been decent. They carry a bunch of smaller new engines and some used.
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Old 11-15-2015, 03:33 PM   #9
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Re: E-tec 30 Opinions

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I got my current engine from Regency Boats and Motors in MDR. They seem to specialize in ribs and inflatables. My experience so far has been decent. They carry a bunch of smaller new engines and some used.
Thanks buddy, I'll be doing some shopping around tomorrow.
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Old 11-17-2015, 11:10 AM   #10
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Re: E-tec 30 Opinions

I have a 130HP E-tec on my 21' RIB and love it! very dependable salt water machine. ZERO maintenance for the first 300 hours and never had any issues. and we run our boat hard!
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Old 11-24-2015, 10:53 PM   #11
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Re: E-tec 30 Opinions

Quick follow up on this, I ended up getting a new E-tec 30. Ran my 14' inflatable from CI Harbor past Gull Island and back last Sunday. With another diver in the boat, dive gear, cooler, anchor's, and all the goods we ran over 80 miles and burned 7-8 gallons. Hardly burned anything making it out there but we were lucky to get a nearly dead flat crossing home and were into the throttle pretty much the entire way back.

I can't vouch for reliability yet but I can tell you 30 HP at about 150 lbs on a small boat is really nice. No smoke, direct injection, decent fuel burn, and peace of mind felt pretty good being that far out. If these motors hold up I can't imagine a better setup for a small RIB or skiff. Stoked

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Old 11-25-2015, 12:06 PM   #12
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Re: E-tec 30 Opinions

Nice, how did you guys do out there?
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Old 11-25-2015, 01:59 PM   #13
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Re: E-tec 30 Opinions

That's a hell of a run in a small boat man be careful out there!

That fuel efficiency is amazing
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Old 11-25-2015, 02:39 PM   #14
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Re: E-tec 30 Opinions

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Nice, how did you guys do out there?
Was hoping for some fat island bugs but that was not the case. Saw a couple shorts and all traps seen were empty. Looks like it gets hit really hard out there. Not knowing the area we worked the shore 40ft and up, may have been a lot better out in deeper reefs. Lots of nice calico's out there in some spots, giant goats. We each shot a decent calico and I grabbed a pus. You could fill the boat out there with calico, and goats if you wanted. Overall conditions were as good as you could ever ask for, was a fun trip

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That's a hell of a run in a small boat man be careful out there!

That fuel efficiency is amazing
Ya if it wasn't dead flat out there a run like that would be totally unreasonable in a boat like mine.
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Old 11-28-2015, 11:47 AM   #15
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Re: E-tec 30 Opinions

I personaly like the E Tec's better than 4 strokers
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