I have owned 2 Evinrudes, 1 Mariner, and now a Merc. I have only had the Merc for a few months, so far so good. But I had no problems with my Evinrudes or Mariner. My last Evinrude was a 200 on a 20ft boat. I ran it hard for about 8 years before I sold it. The whole time I had it it was in the shop twice for repairs. Once because I hit one to many stumps and messed up the lower unit. The other time the power pack went out. That was it. I know Evinrude/Johnson went thru some bad years but they are back now. I wouldn't be afraid of a new one at all.

no prab. bomber

hammer 1 merc 2

I have owned a 98 honda, 96 johnson, a 99 Evinrude, 95 Merc, 2003 hammer, and a 2008 Merc. I like the Merc I have now it is a bad mo fo. That 250 xs will make the bullet fly, and it is great on fuel mileage. I have not tried or been around a new rude enough to make an opinion

I've got a Merc 250 Pro XS on my 2007 Ranger, a Suzuki DF140 on my 2006 Pontoon Boat and a Yahama 90 4stroke on my 2007 G3 and have not had any trouble with any of them. I think all modern motors are generally good and reliable. However, you can get a lemon with any purchase.

+3

TFP

Rudes seem to run quieter than the others.
There all the best until they "POP".
Currently running upgraded E-Tec 225, good on gas and oil with no complaints so far.

I have a 2000 Evinrude 200HP on my Ranger. Runs great and never had any issues with it. Used to be a boat that was owned by a pro staff member who guided on Fork, and fished the Bassmaster Tour. Has well over 1000 hours on it, and is still going strong. My maintenance is lower unit oil every year, and impeller every two years. Spark plugs get changed either every two or three years. The only major repair I have ever had on it was this year when I had to have the seals in the lower unit replaced. Not bad for almost 10 years.

I absolutely love my E-tec. My dad has a yammy and is getting a new boat at the end of the year, just b/c of my E-tec

I had a '06 200 Optimax. Twisted the drive shaft into, next, blew the powerhead. Now I have a 2oo E-Tec...seems real sweet to me, but I thought the Optimax was sweet until something broke.

Cant stand evinrude Had 4 blew 3 in 2 years and one after that all factory blocks.2 MERC no problems.Im sticking with merc.

My boat mechanic told me when he sees an Evinrude pull up he runs and hides. lol. Said Mercs are much easier to work on.

thanks for all the advice so far keep'em comin

Broke a shaft in my 200HO "pre-cursor" to E-Tec but it's been a great motor until if breaks again which I'll be pissed. Mechanics are around and qualified on alot of diff motors for a reason. What man makes - man breaks! I bet if you did the real statistics on them you'd find that when these companies are churning them out at the level they are your going to have some good ones and some that don't have longevity.

I an old school JOHNRUDE man the fitch engine bankrupted the company and runed ther reputation.

I have no experiance with the e-tec motors. I bougt a clean triton tr-18

with a 1998 carbed johnson so I can work on it with out a scan tool.

I would like to hear any opinion on the e-tec!

Now all you see are merc's.