1998 mercury 250 efi vs 2008 evenrude etec

[sdriche]

I just worked out all the kinks in an 1998 mercury 250 efi on a 251 proline and it runs great. I have the opportunity to buy a 2008 etec 250 with 600 hours for $5k (includes all rigging). Should I stay with the mercury or buy the newer etec? Alternatively I can get a 2007 Yamaha 250 4 stroke, same low hours for $8k. Thoughts?

[Markus]

Well, what are you trying to achieve?

[big tom]

I had to make that decision last year with my 99 250efi's . To me it boiled down to how long you going to keep it, Whats the boat worth, Will I ever see my money back out of a repower, The 250's are cheap to rebuild and find parts... But then the gas savings on the E-tec and the yamaha proly run forever...

[sdriche]

Trying to achieve reliability and operating efficiency

[gotboostedvr6]

2007 Yamaha 225 and 250 have devastating corrosion problems

[2stroke@7000]

In PA I would guess you are mostly fresh water, but who knows and we don't know where the prospective new motors are coming from...I do not think you will see any corrosion problems with the merc but both the etec and yamaha have mids/adapter plates that don't handle salt well.
In my opinion Yamaha is superior in fresh water if you're tryna save gas and have a nice cruiser...if you don't care about burning gas and smellin smoke I'd keep the mercs...you can do more with them and I think the parts are cheaper, even powerheads.

[TraceF3]

2007 Yamaha 225 and 250 have devastating corrosion problems

You beat me to it. Beware. Have the motor inspected by a professional.

[sdriche]

This is a saltwater boat (I live in PA but the boat is in NJ). Both the Yami and Etec were also saltwater motors. Based on this guidance, I'll keep the Merc now that its buttoned up. Thanks for the advice!!

[Markus]

Trying to achieve reliability and operating efficiency

In that case, get the E-Tec.

It should save a lot of fuel over your 99 3 liter Mercurys, which were fuel hogs even by the standard of the time.

It is hard to see what benefit the 4-stroke is giving you for the extra money.

[Turborr]

What hurts....is that if the E-tec is such a sweet 2 stroke motor when it is working fine. When they are not working well a nightmare (unless you have a very good e-tec mechanic which is your friend).