Service and your choice of outboard

[Mikey]

So you are looking to re-power and 3 main things to really think about 1 Service ability i.e. Shops, 2 corrosion protection and 3 Warranty!

   The first is important for the reality is yes you can do a basic service, However what about the diagnostics now days. These are not the old 2 strokes. These are a little more like the new sports cars. What it boils down to is are there shops that can service and read the computers, are these shops Reparable? one of the key factors when looking for a new motor.

   Another Key Factor #2 Corrosion protection. Who in the industry has the best protection and is covered under warranty.

   The 3rd and big one Warranty. So is it a LIMITED one or a full warranty and how hard is it to find an Authorized Warranty Shop.

i have researched and found answers to these facts. lets just say that out of 6 only one stands out. Now making this statement i can say there is no connection to anyone or any company. Heck i have owned 3 or 4 different outboards. Truths and facts, i need to also add that geographically some motors may be a better choice for some of the reasons.

Yamaha, Mercury, Suzuki, Honda, Johnson and Evenrude all make motors that run quiet, smooth and are eco friendly now.

The Mercury is from what i found the #1 for Warranty, Corrosion and in socal for myself the easiest to get parts and work done. The warranty amazing complete with extended 8 years of it, including corrosion.

More to come on this tight lines and have a great day!

[So.Cali]

But mercs are so HEAVY! When I repower end my boat in 2012, all of those factors had a key role, but the Etec was the second lightest behind the Suzuki, but the zukes had corrosion issues that the factory was trying hard to ignore. Cost, weight, and reliability were in my decision to go with the Evinrude.

[Mikey]

still a 2 stroke for the ETec so yes a little lighter
how ever it is still a Limited Warranty, they do this because the corrosion issues as all with the exception the Mercury is covered. also as i mentioned the service and shops, Who works on them or stocks parts?

[So.Cali]

Just had mine serviced at WOT Marine in Carlsbad. It's no longer under warranty, but they stock factory parts for it. Sunset marine in El Cahon is an Etec dealer as well as certified shop. There's a few others across SoCal to choose from. The dealer I bought mine from decided to retire and sold the shop. He moved to Florida. As for corrosion, nothing abnormal noticed yet. It got a clean bill of health from the shop.

[Mikey]

right on and again as stated some times geographically it can work out.

Personally living in riverside / perris area corona is a short trip as well the best of the best Merc shop in socal happens to be located in Corona.

i did look at the E-tecs and nothing wrong with them just wasn't my preference wanted the 4 stroke and 8 years of warranty.