Blown Heads and lower unit issues!?!?!?

Guys,
So no one accuses me of being a plant, I used to have screen name jonesman, but forgot password and the site wouldnt send new one to my email. So now new name.
On with my question. I asked before about Etec durability and several guys told me how much they loved there motor. HOWEVER, I continue to see folks posting issues with blown heads on Etec's. I am getting concerned with this issue. I do see that Evinrude has seemed to step up and make prompt repairs, BUT living in the north our season is short enough already. Spending down time makes it much worse. I also would like someone to confirm to me whether or not there were several(12 or more) heads which blew up at the recent FLW event in Texas. I was told this happened and with the fact it appears several people on here have intimate access to BRP motor data, this should ba available.
I want sooo bad to buy an Etec, but I am very nervous with the posts I am seeing. I know people dont have much to post when all is well, but take a look over at the Merc site and you will not see issues regarding blown up Opti's.
I currently own a Ficht 225 and had a 150 fast strike prior, so have been Evinrude/Johnson guy for looong time and would like to stay away from the evil dark empire.

You basically asked the same question a couple of weeks ago???
http://www.bbcboards.net...64537

I know this is similar, but I am seeing more issues folks are pointing out with blown heads. Also, never got any response on the possible issues down at the recent FLW tournament with Etec blown heads. I am sure this would be easy for someone on this site who has BRP contacts to verify. If it is false, I REALLY would like to know. If true, this makes me feel that they still have not resolved the issues

On the other site Rodney Tidwell answered you. Since he sells all three brands his answer should be unbiased. He stated that he has not seen anymore problems with E-tec than the others and all three have minimal issues.
Also I noticed you received an answer on the other site stating problems at the FLW from somebody named.. s (?). Good source. I never did see the number 12. Where did you get that number?

I actually heard that there were more than 12 blown heads at the FLW, but just looking to understand if this happened or not. As to the blown heads and why I am asking, look at some of the posts currently on the site. Further, in the resposes I got previously there were several folks that had blown heads. I have added up many in just the posts on this site.

I would like to get clarification on the issues at the FLW tournament. I have not seen any answer to that.

Why don't you ask the guys over on the Texas Bass Club site.

Not trying to http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/stirthepot.gif , but I believe Tommy Biffle blew his XS up at the boat dock day one of the Classic.

Ike had one pop at the classic as well. ESPN even took the mic away to keep him from telling how unhappy he was.

Bottom line there is not a motor made that is totally bullet proof they all can, will and do pop from time to time. Thats why we all want good WARRANTIES and BRP has the best on the market at this time (IMO) http://www.bassboatcentral.com/boardstuff2/beers.gif http://www.bassboatcentral.com/boardstuff2/beers.gif http://www.bassboatcentral.com/boardstuff2/beers.gif

From what I remember wasn't that 12 power head thing going around now for about 2 years now? If I remember correctly that was said to have happened last year and in 05 when they first came out!!

If it were me I would buy an E-tec in a heartbeat. I'm more leary of purchasing a Merc over a BRP product. Not because of quality but I know where there are more BRP dealers than Merc in my area.

If your true to the Blue then just do it.

Joe http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/USA1.gif

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by GaryL &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ike had one pop at the classic as well.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Sorry to disappoint you all but,

Biffle and Ike DID NOT blow powerheads at the Classic.

http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/USA1.gif

Like you are in the know........

And I am sure you have seen your fair share of blown Merc XS motors as well!!

Do you really think that ESPN, who owns BASS, gets sponsor boats from Triton and Mercury would really show a busted Mercury motor on TV, I don't think so.


Modified by Z21ROD at 4:38 PM 3/2/2007

The report from ESPN and bass fan was that Biffle lost his motor at the dock and lost 15 minutes fishing time swapping boats.

And there were no E-TEC power heads at the two year ago FLW either. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif