View Full Version : opti,e-tec,yamaha
:fishhit:I am buying a Ranger Reata 1850rs and am confused on which motor will work best for this rig. I want to pull skiers and tubers, but also wnt to troll crank baits with the main motor. I am looking at Mercury 150 opti, Yamaha F-150 and E-tec 150. I need hole shot but want to troll down into the 2-3 mph for cranking without having to resort to a kicker(wife won't go for that). Any suggestions would be appreciated.pros and cons
cbar
All three motor have a good track record but if you are looking for a hole shot the Opti or the E-Tec will be better. Mercury has SmartCraft and E-Tec has I-Command to dial in slower trolling speeds which is nice also. I believe the E-Tec and the Yamaha might be a tad quieter......
KHedquist
01-28-2009, 03:58 AM
You know unless you are brand loyal, it would be a tough decision, they are all excellent engines. Each manufacture has a couple of differences. I guess I would number 1 look at the dealer selling a certain brand, a bad dealer can take the best and make it the worst. Do a background check on the dealers.
Us the search function on the board and see if you see something about the brands.
I did the same and ended up with a OPTI.
seahorse
01-28-2009, 06:59 AM
The E-TEC idles at about 500 rpm while the other motors are higher, plus it charges the batteries at that low speed where "dialed down" idle speeds of other motors won't charge the battery enough and may even draw the battery down.
The E-TEC and Yamaha are much much quieter than the Opti.
The E-TEC and Opti will out acclerate the Yamaha F150.
Any of the 3 are reliable motors.
Matt V
01-28-2009, 08:24 AM
Have you considered the Verado 150? I purchased a 175 Verado last year and love it. According to Mercury's website, it has a better hole shot, better top end and is more fuel efficient than the opti. Plus with the smart craft gage's you can lower the RPM's to troll with it.
how slow will the 175 verado troll down?
Matt V
01-28-2009, 06:56 PM
I have no idea, I have a 9.9 Pro-Kicker that I use for trolling. My dealer said it should troll down to below 2mph.
A couple of 25" drift socks off the front cleats will slow you down plenty for any motor you put on. Pick the one you like, and spend $60 for the drift socks, and you will be set for nearly any trolling conditions.
A couple of 25" drift socks off the front cleats will slow you down plenty for any motor you put on. Pick the one you like, and spend $60 for the drift socks, and you will be set for nearly any trolling conditions.
Once again, the Shep has the best advice.
I'd like to tell ya to buy the Merc, but the truth is, any of the motors you've listed will very likely please you. Find the best dealer, the most supported brand, and prepare with the drift socks listed above.
I've driven but not owned the 175 Verado on a 18 foot glass Lund. It appeared to troll very close to 2.3-2.5 mph. So, I'd expect with the wind to be close to 3.5 mph. Just get the drift socks. People like them so much they use them when they don't need to slow down.
I like the Merc's. The opti will idle down to 550 rpm with smart craft. The high five prop will help with slowing the trolling speed. Merc's win on fuel consumption, and their oil, while being consumed slightly more than others, is less expensive. Add in the extensive dealer network, and non-declining extended warranty available with spring purchases - it's a winner.
But like I said, you could purchase any of the other motors listed as well, and do fine by them. Merc would be MY choice, you make your own choice.
eyepirate
02-01-2009, 10:57 AM
any 2 stroke will foul plugs if you troll extensively......the e-tec is superior on oil consumption and smell over the opti.and can b computer adjusted to troll quite low mph..if i was going 150 hp and up i would always go 4 stroke..maybe not the hole shot of a 2 stroke, but better in most every other way..never seen any 150 troll slow enough to roll a crawler harness without the help of buckets or bags..given ur situation..wife says no to kicker, you want to 'tube' and troll cranks.....an e-tec is probably a decent choice..make sure you tell the dealer of how much trolling you intend to do( in 2008 ihad a cresty with a verado, and still have 2 starcrafts..one opti, one e-tec)
cc-rider
02-01-2009, 11:12 AM
That statement about "any" 2 stroke will foul plugs is simply untrue. I have the Ranger 1850 with a 175 ETEC and I troll all the time. And I have taken BRP's promise of no maintainence for 3 years to heart and I've not changed plugs at all. The motor purrs like a kitten.
cbar - so you have some real stats.....my boat with the 175 ETEC trolls at about 2.5 MPH. I have a 17 pitch 4 blade BRP cyclone prop. 50 MPH top end. Holeshot is excellent with this set-up.
When deciding between 2 stroke and 4 stroke...there are only 2 real categorical differences:
1) 2 stroke will have noticeably better torque and hole shot
2) 4 stroke will be noticeably quieter
Other than that....you have to start to dig into the differences between brands. But nobody has over come those 2 rules of life yet for 2 or 4 strokes (yes....including the Verado).
I love my 150 etec! Granted I have a T-8 kicker for trolling, but have used the 150 when it was a little windy. Can stay in that low 2mph range. Idles at 500rpm, so no need to buy I command in my opinion. I have the engine interface cable connected to my Lowrance and it gives all the engine date for only $49.99.
Some will say if your going to run a lot of hours on your main engine to go 4 stroke but I test drove a Reata with a Yam 150 before ordering mine and was not impressed with the hole shot one bit. Once it got up and running it was fine. You could prop it down a bit to improve the hole shot, but lose top end. Your preference. I chose the low maintenance route with the etec. The winterization feature is very slick!!!
Senderofan
02-06-2009, 05:48 PM
I love my 150 etec! Granted I have a T-8 kicker for trolling, but have used the 150 when it was a little windy. Can stay in that low 2mph range. Idles at 500rpm, so no need to buy I command in my opinion. I have the engine interface cable connected to my Lowrance and it gives all the engine date for only $49.99.
Some will say if your going to run a lot of hours on your main engine to go 4 stroke but I test drove a Reata with a Yam 150 before ordering mine and was not impressed with the hole shot one bit. Once it got up and running it was fine. You could prop it down a bit to improve the hole shot, but lose top end. Your preference. I chose the low maintenance route with the etec. The winterization feature is very slick!!!
No need to buy i-Command at this point in time....the current promotion includes two 3.5 inch gauges and all wiring. Also included in the deal is two additional years of warranty coverage...under BRP's Best plan. The only reason I know this....I repowered with a 175 e-tec.
Good Luck,
Wayne