RT178 question

[Bassin08]

I asked this before, but didn’t get any replies. I am very serious about buying a Ranger RT178 with a Evinrude 75hp ETec. I would appreciate any feedback from anyone with this combination. Is it a good engine?

[Ranger RT]

I can't give any feedback about a evinrude... But if I had it to do all over again I would get the 70 yamaha four stroke

[Deerchaser]

My 75 4s merc has been awesome

[stratos284]

Evinrudes are all Ive ever owned up till the Merc I have now.
I have never had any trouble with Evinrudes.
I would have one on this boat now if they would get with the program and make a 4 stroke.
I have my first 4 stroke motor now and 4 stroke is all I will ever own from here on out.
Im positive you will like that Etec though.

[n2ratfishin]

From what you describe up there I’d get a brand you could get serviced. My first choice in smaller stuff is always Yamaha F, I bought Mercury 4 stroke because Merc has been real good to me while I was with Cat. My local dealer has good Merc mechanics if I were to have an issue. I had a troublesome Bombardier back in 03 and they couldn’t get it fixed for nothing. That was the end of a long run of OMC for me. For years Suzuki made their 4 strokes.

If you have full confidence in your local dealer then get the Bombardier. Those small ones seem to be great motors.

[TampaJim]

Loved my 178, it was paired with a Yamaha F70 and was really nice.
If you have Yamaha service in your area, I'd recommend a hard look.
I'm not a Bombardier fan. However, it's better than Mercury IMO.

[Bassin08]

My last boat had a Yamaha on it. It wa a good motor, but it was hard to get it serviced. I have a lot of Evinrude dealers in this area. I have called two to be sure that I will have service support, even if I didn’t purchase the motor from them. Both of them told me, no problem. I will be buying this Ranger out of state. The only Ranger aluminum dealer that I have in my area is Cabela’s, so that is not going to happen. I have the Mercury plant thirty miles to the north and the Evinrude plant fifty miles to the south of me.

[BG Basser]

I have a 2013 rt178 with a 75hp etec. Second trip out with the boat fished a tourney during a serious rain storm. Not sure what happened but trim relay began acting up and motor would get stuck in the down position. Dealer sent me a new relay and the motor worked and has worked like a champ ever since.

I’ve followed three year/300 hour service schedule and also have run it a couple winters (freezing air temps and 34-38 degree water). I have loved the motor and have never had a problem with it since that relay.

Boat used to top out around 40-41 gps with light load but i’ve been running a 12ft talon with bracket and heavier batteries the last 3 years and now top out around 38. Motor sips gas and people always comment on how quiet it is for a two stroke (not sure how true that is or if it matters).

Hope this helps.

[Pipercub]

I have a 2018 RT 178 with a Yamaha 75hp and love it. I don't know if your heart's set on Evinrude but you may want to consider Yamaha. I'm sure you can't go wrong either way.

[fishon396]

Never seen one with a Evinrude.