2001 Evinrude FICHT

[JJ-B-Boatin]

I am going to be looking at a boat that I might purchase this weekend (2001 Javelin 20 Fish N Ski) that has a 2001 225 Evinrude FICHT engine. Is there anything in particular that I should look at or questions that I should ask in regard to this engine? Where there any major service upgrades I need to know about? I plan on taking the boat for a test run and I am trying to get the owner to take it to a dealer to have the computer read. I have heard the dealer can get number of hours, compression, hours run at wide open throttle etc from the engine. Is this correct? How many hours is too many hours for this engine. I have grown up around outboards but those were carb engines and not quite as complicated as this one.

Any feedback you can provide would be greatly appreciated!

[gilly]

don't buy a ficht of any kind.

[bobbyhamrickdalton]

Leave the FICHTS alone in my opinion. NO MATTER WHAT. Ive had a terrible time with mine. See my post, anything good about FICHT? This is a national forum. I had 2 replys from short owned and low hour users. Once again ask around, call the boat shops and marinas. Offer what the boat and equipment is worth. The resale value on the FICHT is the parts folks like me have to farm out until I can repower my boat. Am I a little sore? Yes maybe. No offense intended to any FICHT owners. My opinion only and it may stink too.

[JJ-B-Boatin]

Thanks for the replies. I am bit surprised to see that I should stay away. I did take your advice and called some the local shops. They indicated that there is no problem finding parts for these engines and those that are on the market right now have probably been fixed and have no issues. Those that I spoke to indicated that the 199X had problem especially in the 150 and 175 hp. They indicated that a 2001 225hp should be fine. Maybe they are just looking for more business. I am not sure what to do now. Thanks again for the info.

[White Lightning]

I have one on my boat and it has ran flawlessly for the last 3 years now. I don't see why everone is scared of them. It depends on how you take care of them and service it often like all motors.

[TX-Fisher]

It all depends on who you ask. Some say there horrible but some say their good. From what I've been able to tell from this forum and other places that the only bad ones were the 175s and 150s.

[jeffro22]

thats pretty much what I have seen too. The early 150-175 seemed to be the problems. The bigger motors seemed to have some EMM and gearcase issues, but if the motor your looking at has been maintained and has some hours on it it might be past those issues. I think you would be taking just as much of a gamble on an optimax from the same era.

With that being said, you should still get that boat/motor combo at a good deal, bc the fichts don't carry much resale. As always, get it checked out by someone that knows these motors

[bobbyhamrickdalton]

One other thing. I always see people get the compression checks but not so much the leak down percentage. I have recently understood thats a valuable test to determine the condition of cylinder and ring. From what I understand you position piston and load 100PSI compressed air into cylinder then monitor leak down rate over a period. This would mean a 10 lb loss would equal 10%. This to me makes good sense. However these things got to be perfect in the oil/fuel/air injection or its shot. Thats my understanding from reading manual and skuttlebut.
I also found info that led me to think the 200/225 FICHT were okay after upgraded until I was saddled with it and took it to the shop where everyone just shook heads and informed me this motor has no resale. I cant trade my Ranger in on a new one with this engine because of the loss I would have to absorb.
Rebuilds and power heads are readily available. The new rebuilt engine I got had listed 456 HRS on it. At this point Ill take that. It should be noted that the Optimax has had the same issues. Not as bad from what I hear.
I maintain all my equipment tip top shape. Im optimistic about my new engine and lower unit. Run XD100/ maintain all maint specs. One other note. My lower unit was terrible too. Get insurance, get professional help if you need service. Good Luck and follow up!

[ChampioNman]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by bobbyhamrickdalton &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Leave the FICHTS alone in my opinion. NO MATTER WHAT. Ive had a terrible time with mine. See my post, anything good about FICHT? This is a national forum. I had 2 replys from short owned and low hour users. Once again ask around, call the boat shops and marinas. Offer what the boat and equipment is worth. The resale value on the FICHT is the parts folks like me have to farm out until I can repower my boat. Am I a little sore? Yes maybe. No offense intended to any FICHT owners. My opinion only and it may stink too.</td></tr></table>

Yes this is a world wide forum. Nice introduction for yourself. Above quoted is your first post. I looked all over the site and didn't see the post you referred to. Perhaps you left that post on another site. It sure wasn't on this board. Remember that the 2001 model was prior bankruptcy and an OMC motor not a BRP DFI motor.

[rude power]

well if there so bad,I guess i better not go fishing no more. been going 3 times a week for a year with my old 225 ho ficht and pretty much blows everything off the water in the same type an weight limt bassboats with 225s, hammers an mercs, and its cost me an extra $15 for a relay in a year and 100 hours that I've put on it ,makes gas compared to my old 150 intruder, much more quiet, guess I better make sure my trolling batteries are charged.

[bobbyhamrickdalton]

Previous post mentioned under bobbyhamrick. By the way I love this engine and hope she runs a while. I just need to build the confidence in it. Thanks Guys.

[JJ-B-Boatin]

Thanks everyone for the info. I think I am still going to persue this boat engine combination. I will make sure I have a certified mechanic look it over prior to purchase. I'll keep everyone posted as to what the outcome is. Thanks again!

[rude power]

be sure to check the lower unit out good too.but they can be bought new for $800, with a 3 year warnt.