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If you were doing a straight up buy of the F70, in New England, that would be a decent deal, if not a great one. But they're certainly not giving you any sort of a break as payback for having killed your old motor.
Although I have an F70 on my 15, for Montauks, I prefer the eTec 90. I like to be close to the top of the power range, and for a Montauk, the eTec gives the best power to weight ratio. You'll still be saving some weight over the existing motor, and you'll be able to reuse your existing controls and gauges.
The question I still have Mike is did you ever authorize them to do anything other than winterize this motor? Winterizing does not include pulling heads or any real mechanical work and I would be very upset to find a mechanic performing such work if I had not specifically ordered it. You should have been notified immediately, last fall when they found the issue and before they went any further. A blown head gasket is a fairly simple repair as long as no further damage has been caused.
I think, if this were me, I would be looking for a deal on a new E tech 90 and a new dealer to do business with if at all feasible.
I've kept my boat with these folks for 25 years... the Whaler has only been with them over every winter. The head was pulled because he knew I wanted to use the boat for the first time this weekend... much later than I ever have put the boat in.
I'll chack out the E-tech. But my guy says that Mercury / Johnson has recently refused to supply parts for a 1997 engine. I've heard nothing but good things about the Yamaha's. But... as I said before, I have all winter to shop. Damn it!!
I'll chack out the E-tech. But my guy says that Mercury / Johnson has recently refused to supply parts for a 1997 engine.
That part about Johnson refusing to provide parts for a 1997 motor is not true. An F70 on your boat would be a dog compared to your present motor in good shape or to a 90 E-TEC.
"I'll chack out the E-tech. But my guy says that Mercury / Johnson has recently refused to supply parts for a 1997 engine. I've heard nothing but good things about the Yamaha's. But... as I said before, I have all winter to shop. Damn it!!"
Where do such rumors come from?
There is no doubt that every part for every engine does not remain available for ever. That said, this happens across the board with every engine manufacturer and some do better than others with parts supplies. I have always found Johnson/Evinrude (OMC) to be at the top of the supply list and Mercury running a close second. I have no experience with Yamaha, Suzuki, Tohatsu or Nissan motors but I will never own a Force engine.
As far as I have heard the Evinrude E Tech line has performed very well here in the NE and not much in the line of complaints over parts availability or premature failures.
There will always be those dealers who specialize in one brand dogging the others to close sales. I would expect a Non Scientific poll here would show the E Tech at or near the top for owner satisfaction.
