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I was talking with a local E-TEC dealer the other day. We were chatting about E-TEC's vs. the Honda and Yamaha 4 strokes. He said that he sells all three and while he does like the E-TEC's, he admitted he wasn't all that thrilled about a feature on them.

He stated that the E-TEC's have a "fail safe" or "limp mode" that is activated when one of the 4 or 5 sensors detects a problem. The "mode" can only be reset with a computer. He said he observes a lot of temp sensors shutting the motor down if some seaweed clogs the water intake. The engine is computer sensitive where the computer monitors all engine functions carefully to get the max out of the engine.

It doesn't take a whole lot to trip a sensor. Because of this, a lot of his customers are coming back to have the engine reset. He said the Yamaha and Honda are a more everyday motor while the E-TEC is for the guys that are looking for speed. He has been in business for 30 years and has been an Evinrude/Johnson dealer for the same. He gives the Honda a slight advantage over the Yamaha but said it really comes down to dealer service. Any comments from the E-TEC guys?