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Drewread,
I repowered my 1995 15 ft Dauntless with a Yamaha F70 after going into the dealer to buy a ETEC 60. The dealer sold both brands but admitted he sells 3 Yamahas for every ETEC and I am located in the Midwest which has always been Evinrude, Johnson, or Mercury country. He simply pointed out the similar cost of the motor, the fact that the ETEC 60 is a 3 cylinder, and the cost of the ETEC 2 stroke oil which he insisted is necessary if you really want a trouble free ETEC. He also went on to say that he actually took a ETEC or 2 back from good customers who were unhappy after a repower and replaced them with Yamaha's. I do not believe that all ETEC comparisons will as heavily favor the competitor, but with the F70, Yamaha designed it to repower weight sensitive hulls that were formally 2 stroke powered, so Yamaha has a niche with this motor especially in regards to a classic Whaler hull. To each their own, but I would find some members who have experience with both motors and do some more research before plunking down an amount of cash that might buy a good used boat on its own unless your dealer offers a money back guarantee. As for me, I have never looked back as I couldn't be happier with my F70 now in its 2nd season.

Jim G.