Stratos 185 - Thinking of repowering.. VMAX HDPI or Etec HO

[MBragg8]

03' 185 - Currently running an 03' Johnson 150. Thinking of repowering to New 150 VMAX HDPI or 150 Etec HO. Besides brand loyalty, what is general consensus on best motor for my rig. Would keep the Johnson, but plan on keeping the boat and would really like to have a "warranty" with the new motor. I'm a little concerned about what I've heard about customer service on the Etec...

Currently running 55 gps with tourney load. No jack plate. Looking for Mid 60s if that is possible..

Fuel savings and cold starting an obvious plus, but WARRANTY may be the biggest plus of all. Again, I'm not all that brand loyal, but going with the Etec 150 HO may make the most sense due to rigging.

It seems I've heard more bad stories about the Etec than the VMAX, but seems people only talk about the bad stuff that happens - as you rarely hear ones talk about their "flawless" motor. If I do decide to spend the money - just want to make a wise decision. Below is my a pic of my rig... It may come down to which would look better on the boat. Feel free to chime in with suggestions.

Thanks to all whom have replied thus far!



Modified by MBragg8 at 9:54 PM 3/11/2010

[Jason Phillips]

Keep all of your rigging. Get the 150 H.O. Put the 6" plate on and get a 25 Tempest. You'll be in the low 60's with a load and around 65 with a light load and a good setup.

I had an '04 with the Johnson. I ran a 6" plate and the 25 Tempest and loved it.

[Tom B]

If it aint broke don't fix it - those carb Johnsons are pretty good motors and will last a long time - if you repower it - dont plan on selling the boat - you will never get your money back

[Stratos190fs]

Just add the Jack Plate and save your money.....

[pjhandyman]

I was in the same boat earlier this last year and changed from the Rude Vindicator to the V-Max series II, " BEST MOVE I EVER MADE!!!" but that is just my opinion and everyone has one.


Good luck with what ever you choose.


............. PJ

[Les Young]

If you do repower you should have no problem selling the Johnson. One of the most durable engines ever made.

[bigfish]

why replace an engine that is running well to add 3 MPH, add a 6 inch jack plate, run the fire out of it, you may get another 5-10 years before haveing to repower. unless you already have someone going to buy your old motor???

[Bob20]

IMHO...add a plate and keep the motor ya have. You can buy a LOT of gas and goodies for the money you save.

[Jason Phillips]

Adding the plate and a good setup will probably give you the three mph difference.

Advantages to swapping motors.....
-Better cold starting
-Better idle
-Quieter/smoother
-Better fuel mileage
-Better oil usage
-Warranty
-Cleaner for environment/newer technology

Disadvantages to swapping motors.....
-Costly
-If swapping controls, more costly
-Will not recoup costs when trading/selling because it's costly
-Could be disappointed with performance gains when figuring in how costly the swap was
-Will take years and years to recognize the oil/fuel savings when figuring in how costly the swap was
-Costly

So, I listed seven benefits and only six disadvantages. It really boils down to what you want to do. If you are so happy with the boat that you know you won't want to get rid of it in the next few years, or if you just have the extra money to spend, go for it. You'll love either of those new motors. There is a big difference in the technology and the way the motors behave. But, as has been said, you have a very reliable motor.

Hope this has helped.

[MBragg8]

Thanks to the replies...


Modified by MBragg8 at 9:55 PM 3/11/2010

[Jason Phillips]

Good looking boat.

As far as looks, both are a really dark blue color. Both will have red on them. The Yammie will have a little more grey. The E-TEC will have a little more white. Flip a coin.

[Darth VMAX]

I like the HO's, But Those 2.6L VMAX HPDI's are a bad @zz mean looking motor! They look musclebound

[SHOboat719]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MBragg8 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">No real gripes with current motor, it has given me great service..

WARRANTY is probably the most appealing aspect. Boat is paid for, big enough for me and my fishing - therefore I plan on keeping it..

Fuel savings and cold starting an obvious plus, but WARRANTY may be the biggest plus of all. Again, I'm not all that brand loyal, but going with the Etec 150 HO may make the most sense due to rigging.

It seems I've heard more bad stories about the Etec than the VMAX, but seems people only talk about the bad stuff that happens - as you rarely hear ones talk about their "flawless" motor. If I do decide to spend the money - just want to make a wise decision. Below is my a pic of my rig... It may come down to which would look better on the boat. Feel free to chime in with suggestions.

Thanks to all whom have replied thus far!

Modified by MBragg8 at 7:06 PM 3/10/2010</TD></TR></TABLE>

So this is JMHO I own a 2002 Javelin 185 with a 150 VMAX on it. I absolutely love it! Runs 58 lite and 61 loaded. The only thing I wish I had was hydraulic steering.
My good friend has a '05 285 (same boat as ours)with a Johnson 150. It is his first boat and he is not used to it so I asked to run it out for him. Dude! That motor is awesome It was running 60 and I hadn't even trimmed it all the way out. I believe he runs a 24p Fury whereas I run a 23p.
If your motor is solid, man I would stick with it. Yeah, new motors have warranties but you have to pay the cost of the new motor to get the warranty Why not save your money, run the Johnson for all it's worth and then re-power?
I'll tell you his Johnson felt like a 175 compared to my Vmax. I bet with the right setup you could run 62-63 all day long.

[jg379]

if that johnson is the same as a faststrike, just add a jp and a new prop and you will be outrunning most 150's anyway. the jonny 150 are a STRONG MOTOR! i have a 24 raker b&b'd by mark and i;m running 65 all day long

[StratosNCO]

you've got a very good, reliable outboard there. PLUS its paid for. save your money and just put a j/p on it. with the $$ you're saving you can put a new powerhead on it if/when it does go. repowering a rig is expensive and you'll never get back what you put in.

[Jim285pro]

Mark, Keep the carbed 150. They are as dependable as your gonna get. I think they are more dependable than the new ones and easier to work on. Put a jackplate on and try different props. The fury runs like a beast on mine.

[SkeeterZXR21SHO]

I would also get the jackplate and keep the current motor. Like has been said you can always put that money up and us it to either fix your current motor when you need to or would be a good down payment on your next boat if you decide to trade it in later on.

[Fiddlefarter]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jim285pro &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> The fury runs like a beast on mine. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Wish we were closer, I'd like to try your Fury on my 150 Holler if you're coming toward Nashville any time soon

[Jim285pro]

Same to you if your in East tn

[stratosjoe]

Got a 1993 150 johnson carbed still running strong on same stratos but a little hard on the gas....