I sure was hopeing to see the E-Tec do better in the top speed. The acceleration charts are hard to read. Etec is quicker, yet the style of chart shows them 'lagging' behind. Thought the fuel economy would have been better.
I have a 98 Evinrude carbed and love the Rude name. I sure hope the E-Tec motors keep Bombardier alive and well. I want my next motor to be Rude too.
Dayton
The Rude makes more hp across the entire rpm band than either of the other motors. Had it been running at the same engine height as the other motors and running an appropriate surfacing prop with a smaller pitch to raise rpms then it would have ruled the test! The accleration would be even more pronounced and top end would jump several mph. This is clearly a case where BRP did not do their set-up homework. Not to mention bringing an untested gearcase to the test.
The real truth is: Three of the four participants in this test need to be blamed.
1 BRP They have had plenty of time to get the bugs worked out of that lightning gearcase, and/or get that magnum replacement one into production. We were told they were on the assembly line in February.
2 Mercury They do have a Sportsmaster gearcase option, but in my opinion, stepped over the line trying to slide in with the 1.62 gearcase. They should have used the standard 1:75 torquemaster and accepted the outcome.
3 BWB I know they are in some of the manufacturers back pocket, but with all of the marbles riding on this shootout, they should have had the sense to list the requirements for each participant, make them follow to it, and accept the outcome.
To give the readers of their magazine a "Faulty conclusion" to this test shows me they are not in it really for the consumer or a fair comparison, only to sell magazines.
The only company that was in the right in this test was Yamaha. A foreign company.
Well said. And you have a Pro XS. If I remember correct, you had an E-Tec on order until the 15th '2 more weeks' announcement. I will not talk bad about anyone else's motors because if they weren't good, they wouldn't be built. I will however brag on mine because I know how good it is. I actually ordered my boat with the 225 HPDI due to the delays with the H.O. E-Tec. Right after my order was placed, a small shipment was released. I called and changed my order to the E-Tec and actually only had to wait 2 weeks for it.
It bothers me to see that so many people take what these magazines say as the gospel truth. And quite frankly B&WB lost my subscription because it is more like reading the National Enquirer--little truth or real world articles. Their are some decent 'tech' stories, but it is definately a biased magazine as I would expect it to be. As has been mentioned before, are you going to cause your biggest advertiser to lose a test? BUSINESS IS BUSINESS. I know that.
Bottom line is I KNOW how good my motor is and will put it up against anything on a 'like' hull (I do this often in tournaments I fish). That's why I'd like to see a test setup at the Santee Rally in October. My boat is in. We just need a 200 Pro w/ 225 HPDI and a 225 Pro XS to run with. If I wanted to run a Bullet or an Allison and be the fastest, then I might go darkside also (their are just so many options to gain performance).
Jason Phillips
I noticed that no dyno numbers were provided. In most of the shoot outs they dyno the motors. I am guessing that the Mercury is beyond the 10% allowed. Thats good for the guys that get the first few but as soon as they are forced to detune them back within limits everyone else will get slower motors. In 91 OMC did this with the Faststrike 150, it actully made 177hp (12hp more than allowed for a 150) and mercury cried fowl. OMC was forced to detune the motors and even put out a recall on electronics that slowed the motors already sold down. Suzuki was guilty of this with their 200 and was forced to reduce power also.
I'd say the motor that showed the best was the Yamy also.
Majek Reaper
Flashed SHO
Anderson Services LLC
" Those who beat their swords into plowshares will plow for those who don't"
How Shallow can you Run?
Hey we lost, been beat before and will kick butt again. Then they will all cry foul, never ending battle so, I'm off my soap box. I know the truth of the shoot out and I can sleep well tonight (thanks Natural Light), BRP has nothing to hang there heads about. This is a solid product with mucho potential in it that hasn't even been (as far as we know) been pushed to it's full potential. There are many things on the horizon for this motor that can't be realeased to the public yet. But count on it BRP and the E-tec will be a force that will be here in the future. CM
See now I disagree with that. If they have it, why can't they use it? Merc is tops in my opinion in making their stuff fit just about any situation. If the other guys want to complain about the different ratio's, let them make them and offer them.
I would like to see the do a no holds barred deal, and let them use whatever prop they want, spin the motors beyond their limits, whatever, and lets see who really comes out on top. Be nice to learn some of the set-up tricks used if you ask me.
I think BRP is going to do wonders for OMC. I want to see them all in a HP war, because brand loyalties aside, when three engine makers are all vying (spelling) to be king, the consumer is who wins.
_________________________________________
96 Javelin 379SE 96 Johnson 150 (J150ELEDB)
Mods: FS carbs, Ficht reed cages, boyesen reeds and
Baker Hot Heads.
I agree with you about the consumer wins. I think that is evident now. With factories offering incentives like the 7 years of coverage, and the quietness and smoothness of these new motors. The technology going into these are amazing.
Jason Phillips
In my opinion, the shootout should have been with "average" bass boats that most folks have, how many of you have 90mph rigs?
The test should have used a popular boat that normally runs in the 70's or 80's for a top speed. I think the motors would have been a lot more evenly matched.
Yammy and Evinrude were stock out of the box, run of the mill engines, while Merc had optional high speed gearcase, solid mounts, and a hand built engine by their racing division.
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A Technical troubleshooter possessing more tools than talent !
We can't complain if BRP won't build the gearcases that we want but I do think it unfair considering of the 25,000 or so bass boats built each year only a small few (300+) are Bullets. A more mainstream boat would have been better for readers who are actually looking for a new motor on their mainstream bass boat. Set up is critical on a Bullet and the gearcase can make all the difference. On a less critical setup say a triton or a ranger the rude may have won. Who knows, they didn't do that test!
Complaining aside, I enjoyed the article but then again anything with a Bullet in it I like!
B&WB magazine has done unfair tests before and I expect they'll do them again. I agree 100% that the tests should have been done on a more "average", heavier boat. Even if they'd done the test on a Gambler I think the results would have been different.
They (B&WB magazine) have to set the guidelines and have everyone follow them and not worry about who their largest advertisers are.
Just my .02 cents worth.
Surely you guys were not taken in by this shoot out as being a fair comparison, BRP does not have a racing division nor does yamaha? DO they? It is like drag racing A production built corvette against a chevy racing corvette,they are both corvettes both appear to look the same,one is production,the other (as it is) a RACEING production. Look at the facts and base your opinions on the facts IT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN A FAIR COMPARISON DUE TO JUST THIS FACT. (I am sure thier others) But the results are what BWB wanted to acheive SEll more mags, do more test ,Sell m0re mags etc. etc. etc.
Everybody here is what I would call above average in boat knowledge,Thanks to Al and all the great moderators that we have. BUt the average reader of that magazine probly takes that article as gospel they have no Idea about how a gearcase or a jackplate changes performance on different style and weight hulls. The mag. and those that compete Know that and some would be inclined to take advantage of that opportunity to win with an unfair advantage.Either for ego or increase sales.But that small differance in performance between the top and the bottom doesn't mean that much to the average person looking to buy a bass boat. I personally have been involved in being written up in magazine articles many times and I tell you they are not designed to tell the truth or be imformative, They are desinged to sell,get your money in one shape or another. NOT TO TELL THE TRUTH... SO take everything in all articles with a grain of salt, Form your own opinion from your own experiances or by people who have nothing to gain ...SMG
I think, as posted we are all above average in our knowledge of bass boats and we all knew that the Evinrude would not get the top speed award before the test was even run, and that's ok, as also posted, not many of us have 90 MPH boats and most don't want one.
I have not read the article yet....guess BWB is only sending copy's to the other dealers...
90 mph.... yeah right. I can't even afford a 225. Much less a Bullet to put it on. Like it was said before I do like the amount of competition in the outboard market today. It leads to nothing but good things for the consumers. So Keep it up Merc, keep it up Yamaha, and keep it up BRP
The one problem, as I see it, is that the results shoot holes in BRP advertising stressing speed, i.e. the pink thong. Now Merc. can run an ad with the thong also being blown off.
2004 TR 19X, 200 HO.
Well, just to add to this............. the man that did the driving( Paul Nichols) said to me that IF the tec had a good gear case, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE FASTEST. And also said what we all know..... IF it had been on a heavy boat, it would have been a different deal..... I think all of us bomb guys should be very proud, as mercury is fixing to phase out it's 2 strokes........
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