2007 200 ETEC HO - yes or no?

[Basstoon]

I have only posted a few times and I am need of info please.
Last call! I am about 1 day away from making my decision. Repowering a 2000 Triton TR-20. I have narrowed down to the ETEC HO and an Optimax (non XS). The last time I made a motor decision was when I did all my homework and bought a 2000 Ficht to only have OMC announce 5 months later that they were bankrupt. These two are very close in price because I need all new gauges etc with the black motor. My Ficht crapped out for the last time, but all gauges, etc, can be reused. It comes down to performance/reliability. Are the 200 ETEC HO's living up to the good things I have read? Please be honest, good or bad. The Optis have gone through their growing pains and seem to pretty good, finally. I have driven Tritons with both 2005 engines and the Opti is more sluggish across the rpm band and louder, but I am concerned that the ETEC HO's are having growing pains.
Thanks for the help.

[JoePA]

I think if you choose the Etec you will be very happy. Another thing to consider is dealer...how good?? From what I've been hearing and reading the E-tec are living up to their name. Anyone that has had issues with their motor BRP is taking care of them ASAP. I'm sure other will chime in on their experience with the E-tecs and give you the thumbs up.

good luck and keep us posted if you get the E-tec.

Joe

[wi_yooper]

I have an 06 E-TEC 200 HO. I couldn't be happier with the motor. No issues to date and I would guess I have about 50 hrs on it. Fuel effiecency is great! I would say it is 3X better than my old carbed 150. Quiet, and has good power. It is pushing my Ranger 519 over 70 mph, so I certainly can't complain there.

I wouldn't hesitate to spend my money on another one.

[Neveredge]

What is your boat rated for? The reason I ask is because you should get the most HP you are allowed to have.

I would go with th eEtec. Unless your boat is rated for a 250 or bigger and then I would say go black with a 250XS or 250 PRO XS

Maybe BRP will get off ther behinds and release a 250 HO if they lose enough sales in that segment.

[joeschmoe]

I have a 2005 225 HO ETEC that I been using since April of 2005, I know it's not a 200 HO but it's close. It has been flawless!!! I just took it in for the first service since I owned the boat this past weekend. Just to have new lower unit grease/oil and impeller installed. No problems at all. With me fishing tournaments every weekend through the course of 2 summers now I am confident that the motor appears to be bulletproof!!!

Not NONE, NILL, ZERO, NOTHING, NADDA single problem since owning it. I have experienced the alarm horn going off at a fast idle but only 3 times in this whole time. Turns out from the service this week that I had an error code for low oil pressure. Turns out to be a pressure switch acting up. Dealer replaced pump and pressure switch free of charge!!!

Go witht the ETEC you won't be sorry, I traded my boat with a '98 FICHT 175 for my current setup, I can relate to you being hesitant on buying an OMC/BRP product. Trust me there is no correlation between the OLD FICHT piece of sh!t and the new awesome best motor on the market (IMO) BRP ETEC !!!

Hope this helps.

[BigHarry]

I have a TR-196 with a 200 E-tec. Would I buy this rig again? No! I'd get a 21X w/ a 225 HO E-tec (more speed). My rig has been flawless and I'll continue with BRP products. I can't say enough good things about my E-tec!

[Basstoon]

Thanks for everyone's inputs
I appreciate all the info. I just pulled the trigger and I hope the gun wasn't pointed at my head. I put down a deposit this morning on a 2007/200 ETEC HO and it will take about 2 weeks to come in. It will take alot of adjusting to get this combo dialed in, since there are very few of these combos out there. The 2000/Tr-20 was only max-rated for a 200 and is a little lighter than the X-series. Does anybody need a a 200hp-400lb OMC FICHT anchor, thats all its good for! Thanks again.

[MigAz]

You won't regret it! Congrats and let us know how she looks and runs!

[Roddy]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Basstoon &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Does anybody need a 200hp-400lb OMC FICHT anchor, thats all its good for! Thanks again.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well it weighes 500lbs and sure. I might need the trim unit parts some day and scrap aluminum prices are sky high. You can sell the lower unit I'm sure.

I'm supprised that boat wasn't rated for 225. Good luck with your new engine.

[joeschmoe]

Congratulations on the motor....You won't regret it!!!

Post some pics once you get it rigged!!!

[rudetech1]

You made the best choice!!! But there again I am biased!!! Good luck and enjoy the beast for all she's wor th!!!