Thanks Allison....no hi-jack at all....this is exactly what I asked for. I want to learn all the specifics since all the motors are so similar. Don't worry about my wake....I think I'm almost too considerate on the lake. Yeah, I've decided to go saltwater with the motor just in-case I decide to go to the coast with the bigger boat once I get it. Anyone have any info I should know about the saltwater versions of motors??

I'm not looking to squeeze out that last .5 MPH out of any motor. I'm so used to going slow that I just want to get across Texoma in a timely fashion and not have to worry about knowing the ins and outs of outboard maintenance. I want something that sounds great, always starts, and isn't easy to ruin by being ignorant about technical stuff. The E-tec is top of my list because of maintenance and engine sound right now. I've concluded that all these motors are great and personally, I wouldn't be able to tell a difference in performance since I have no reference point as to what is fast. I'll know tomorrow what I'm looking at for a 250 E-tech...a "friend Price".....we'll see.

Another question: is there a new motor on the horizon from either of the 3 companies in the next year?

....and what kind of prop do I want?? This is something I truly know less than nothing about.

I also need a trolling motor solution....the boat has tall railing all in the front and if I buy the motor I'll want to avoid using it as much as possible when I'm not in deep water. What can I do that allows me to fish while operating the trolling motor? Something custom? Side mount? Tell me what to get....I trust you guys.

Anyone have anything to say about me overpowering my boat? I always have tons gear, coolers, bait tanks, and at least 2 other people so the boat is naturally heavier than intended all the time. My 125 will not even get it on plane half the time. Tell me now if I'm making a mistake....tomorrow is the day I hope.

I love those comparison tests....anyone know of some more?? While they always contradict other tests, they sure are interesting reads. I can't understand why the E-tec would place last in hole-shot when that is supposed to be one of the biggest bragging rights. I feel stupid that I'm letting engine sound affect my descision somewhat but it seems people are REALLY excited about the roar and lack there of of the E-tec. If Yamaha had a 3 year warranty this descision would be over but a year is 1/3 in this case and too much to give up.

question: in the comparison, they mentioned that if it had been conducted in '06 with '06 models, the Yamaha would have run away with the top-end rights.....why is this?? What changed?

Thanks again for all your help guys...I don't know where else I could've found any help on this that wasn't serving their own interests......I appreciate your time....got any more?

I think they may be referring to Yamaha's upping the rpm top limit going to 6000. In the last year or two the Yamaha's would run fast but the magazine Bass and Walleye Boats would only use the rpm limit that the manufacturer recommended. Now that they upped the rpm limit the Yammi will do better.

I need to make a clarification. The Force that I was referring to was friction. Friction is a parasitic Force. The Force you are referring to above is Thrust. The 'net Thrust' that a piston in a reciprocating engine produces is equal to the 'gross thrust' minus all 'parasitic Forces'.

You go a long ways around stating if you have a motor and run it at 5000rpms it will last longer than if you take that same motor and run it at 5500.
Or less wear.

However does the higher reving engine have less friction per unit of movement since it has less force applied at each stroke?

I am done, not to argue but we are off topic.

Nautilus -

Excellent question - I myself have been talking to people about this same issue. I have also found that this quickly boils down to a Ford vs Chevy vs everyone else arguement.

From talking to people I also am leaning towards either the ETEC or the Merc (probably pro xs but the optimax is a great motor too). One thing that you may need to look at is the hull you are going to put it on. I have heard from alot of the Champion gurus that the Champs (especially the newer wider bodies) run well with the Merc but even better with a Yamaha or Etec due to the increased torgue the motors produce (which leads to increased bow lift due to the shape of the hull). Although I have talked to some guys with a 198 and a 225 pro xs and they say its a great riding boat.

I talked to a dealer who sold both motors and he indicated that once you proped the Etec down to keep it from hitting the rev limiter it basically performed like the pro xs. Etec also claims that due to less moving parts in the engine, it is more durable but time will tell if they are correct.

I haven't talked to alot of people about the Yamahas, but the little I know is that they are sensitive to gas treating or the O2 sensor will foul leading to changing it and those expenses.

Personally, I don't think over powering your boat is a good idea. Assuming your boat is rated for 225 hp you're not going to gain much by going to 250, especially on a Bay Boat. My Fish Master came with a non transferable lifetime hull warranty. If your are the original owner of your Fish Master, you will void your warranty. Also, I assume you will insure your boat. I wouldn't give the insurance company a chance to deny a claim.

Nautilus, Bigdad pretty well hit it for you. Technically the USCG does not limit HP on vessels greater than 20' If you have a 20' hull and it has a HP limit it is there by the manufacturer's design. If you overpower your hull, first off I'm sure your insurance company will cancel you. They like to avoid legal situations like this. Second, you will void any warranty that might be on your hull and third, you may put undue stress on your transom. Your "buddy" want's you to sign a waiver so that when your transom gives, you don't come looking for him. Personally, I would not over power.

I'm in the same boat (no pun intended) where I have a 20' Champion with a 200 HP placard. Boy, could it use another 25 ponies though! Apparently mine and the year after are the only years that my model had this. Earlier ones had either "Any V6" and some that had a heaver transom had V8 or unlimited ratings.

Hey Guys,

I don't insure the boat and will probably just go with a 225 or 200 now. I am no longer under warranty either. Here are some prices I was sent.

'06 E-tec 250 $17,900 with TTL
'04 New 250 Merc EFI $14,400 w/ TTL
'04 New 225 Merc EFI $12,500 w/TTL
'06 Etec 200 $14,306 w/ TTL
'06 Etec 225 $17,200 w/ TTL
'05 New 225 Pro XS Merc $13,500
'05 12 hours Etec 250 $13,900 out of state $400 w/ freight

Waiting on some more....will let you know.

just get you a Merc and have the exhaust changed.

OK...aswer me this, Why are all the shrimp boats, fishing boats, ect that use the motors all day every day never seen with a mercury on it. My buddy says yamaha is what "real" boats use and from what I've seen on the web at saltwater dealers....he is right. The '05 Pro XS is a very tempting deal but I need to quash these concerns he has raised before I buy it.

Shoot...

I don�t pay much attention to magazine comparisons; they are nothing more than interesting information. Each magazine has their preferences and slants the article towards that product.

I�ve owned my E-Tec for 17 months now & have not touched a single thing on it. I have friends who run Yamaha, Suzuki, & Mercury that are not as old as mine & they have all been in the shop.

In today's litigation happy society, I wouldn't get on the water without insurance! Wouldn't surprise me if it's not required by the state in the future. But that's an argument for anopther day.

CajunDaddy, That is music to my ears!! I think I'm going to go with the 200 E-tec for $14K rather than a 250 for $18K.

TXChamp..I agree with you 100% but I don't use it enough to care a this point. If I didn't work 25/7 and could fish more than once a month I'd probably get insurance. I could get a guide once a month for what I'd pay to insure the boat I use once a month.