Looking at used- should Evinrudes be avoided?

[mheichelbech]

Looking at used Rangers and wondering if Evinrude engines should be avoided.  I always thought Johnsons and Evinrudes were like Chevys and Buicks...is that wrong?

[HenryPF]

I think the bad Evinrudes are the first gen E-Tecs and the Fitch? I'm guessing here.

[WRB]

Johnson and Evinrude are the same OMC engine, difference was Johnson sold through authorized dealerships. OMC was bought by Brunswick now made in Canada dropping the Johnson brand name. You have Mercury made in USA,  Yamaha and Suzuki made in Japan to choose from along with Evinrude. Check your local dealer for service options.

Tom

 

[Logan S]

I would stay away from the FICHT, personal experience .

 

I had an ETEC on my previous boat and it was flawless, great motor.  I think the ETEC's and G2's are just as good as anything else out there right now...So no, I wouldn't avoid the more recent models.

[mheichelbech]

7 hours ago, WRB said:

Johnson and Evinrude are the same OMC engine, difference was Johnson sold through authorized dealerships. OMC was bought by Brunswick now made in Canada dropping the Johnson brand name. You have Mercury made in USA,  Yamaha and Suzuki made in Japan to choose from along with Evinrude. Check your local dealer for service options.

Tom

 

Interesting, I thought it was Johnson’s that we’re still made but you are right.

 

I have wondered why Honda isn’t more into outboards for freshwater fishing like Yamaha is. 

[WRB]

1 hour ago, mheichelbech said:

Interesting, I thought it was Johnson’s that we’re still made but you are right.

 

I have wondered why Honda isn’t more into outboards for freshwater fishing like Yamaha is. 

Honda is I just forgot them, they are a top make  for 4 stroke OB's

Tom

[mheichelbech]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

Honda is I just forgot them, they are a top make  for 4 stroke OB's

Tom

Yea I’ve wondered why they aren’t used by manufacturers for freshwater boats.  I’ve seen them on saltwater boats.

[Shimano_1]

8 hours ago, Logan S said:

I would stay away from the FICHT, personal experience .

 

I had an ETEC on my previous boat and it was flawless, great motor.  I think the ETEC's and G2's are just as good as anything else out there right now...So no, I wouldn't avoid the more recent models.

X2

[FryDog62]

If you buy a FICHT, you’re Fucht!! 

[detroit1]

I read somewhere that only mercs 90 hp+ are made in the usa..the smaller ones overseas...

[Ppennin986]

75hp and above are made in fon du lac Wisconsin 

[bassfisher444]

The old carburated 2stroke Evinrude/Johnson outboards are great engines as long as they have been maintained. The first few years of the Evinrude fuel injected and 4 stroke motors had a few problems but they have been worked out by now. Mercury outboards are very reliable as well. 

[WRB]

Questions regarding Evinrudes can be referred to member Way2slow, Kieth knows these engines well.

Tom

[lo n slo]

On 5/4/2020 at 9:07 PM, mheichelbech said:

Looking at used Rangers and wondering if Evinrude engines should be avoided.  I always thought Johnsons and Evinrudes were like Chevys and Buicks...is that wrong?

fwiw

every Johnson outboard i’ve ever owned has performed very well for me. 

[WRB]

Just putting this thread into perspective the OP is looking at Ranger boats, that to me mean a glass bass boat with 150 hp+ engine, not a pull start tiller outboard.

The OP was looking for clarity about quality, is a Evinrude or Johnson considered mediocre engines? The answer is clearly no, but Mercury and Yamaha are more common engines with with Ranger boats.

Tom 

[tander]

Running a 1996 Johnson 90 hp, nothing wrong with a old Johnson once you learn how to crank it. ?

[mheichelbech]

9 hours ago, WRB said:

Just putting this thread into perspective the OP is looking at Ranger boats, that to me mean a glass bass boat with 150 hp+ engine, not a pull start tiller outboard.

The OP was looking for clarity about quality, is a Evinrude or Johnson considered mediocre engines? The answer is clearly no, but Mercury and Yamaha are more common engines with with Ranger boats.

Tom 

You are right.  Didn’t know if I should avoid Evinrude engines but I suppose not...which is good to see.  I don’t know where I read they quit making Evinrude engines.

[WRB]

4 minutes ago, mheichelbech said:

You are right.  Didn’t know if I should avoid Evinrude engines but I suppose not...which is good to see.  I don’t know where I read they quit making Evinrude engines.

If you find a boat with Evinrude engine I suggest contact BR member Way2slow with model and year for his input.

Tom

[Bluebasser86]

My buddy @cbass12 has an older Stratos with an Evinrude on it and it's a great running motor. When I fished in a bass club, there was a couple guys with older Evinrudes that never seemed to have any problems.

 

I think as long as you get them in the right age range they're really solid motors.

[Ogandrews]

I wouldn’t rule out Honda if it’s on the boat you want and have somewhere you can get it serviced. I own a smaller Honda 4 stroke but have a friend with a newer 150 and he loves it. Both mine and his are super quite for their power and he has yet to have any significant issues with his in the years he’s owned it, I haven’t had mine long enough to say. Obviously any motor can be great or have issues, but I would rule out Honda just because they aren’t the biggest brand around.