Posted by JRP on 11/14/17 - 7:08 AM
#12
grahamg wrote:
the G2 is too new for my comfort zone and there have been an abnormally high number of recalls on the G2 OB. these are located on the evenrude website. I like their transparency and openness about new engine issues. the G2150 was also 2K + over the G1.
I checked with three dealers, the one I am choosing has an outstanding and nearly unblemished reputation, he's been in the boat industry for @ 30 years and owns his own well established shop, he also had a very good price and offered up the full manufacturer incentive which was effective 11-1 for the winter boat show period and is a 7 year warranty extension with a $50 copay for repairs after the first three years. in total that is a 10 year warranty, First three years is no cost warranty and the OB has a three year maintenance free service schedule. the projected value of the extension is $7,500. He also offered up the most competitive pricing
the second dealer offered a new in box E 150 etec that was in stock since 2012. full warranty plus the extension but only to five years not ten. They were doing the 5 year warranty rather than 10 to offset the sale price of the engine and necessary rigging. His price was similar in the end but if comparing apples to apples it would have cost 3,500-4K more for the equivalent set up and 10 year warranty.
the third dealer just wasn't close to the first two.
I did consider going with a 200 which was in stock but the cost was in the $18K range about $5K more than the 150. unfortunately it just wasn't in the budget and I honestly did not want the additional engine weight and operating expense of fuel and oil consumption. I would rather sacrifice some speed for better fuel economy.
As noted in my original post above I am most concerned with the potential negative effect on boat performance with a 150 HP. i.e. planing ability at lower RPMs, hole shot - needing extra trim and extended effort to get on plane. possibly needing to add trim tabs to compensate for lower power. compromised handling in turbulent waters at lower speeds etc.
A few things to keep in mind:
If you go with the ETEC 150, read the manual carefully. It is not "maintenance free" for the first three years. Variious items require maintenance, with the interval varying depending on salt or fresh water use.
Purchasing an extended warranty -- as a general rule -- is not a good deal for the consumer. They are offered because manufacturers have done the math and know they will make money off them. In other words, overall the warranty will typically cost consumers more than the benefit they receive from it. Of course, on an individual basis you may defy the odds. But purchasing an extended warranty is still betting against the odds.
That calculus changes when the warranty is provided for "free". But even a "free" warranty comes at a cost. In the case of the ETEC, it is more expensive to purchase than some competing products. And with the "free" warranty being offered as a hook, the dealers are probably less likely to negotiate on price.
So study the competing options and get some bids. If you decide that a 150 is adequate for your purposes. then I would suggest you add the Merc 150 Fourstroke to your list of candidates. (But I tend to agree with the consensus that a 150 might not be quite enough.)