---

Hey everyone so just bought a 1973 Montauk needs a motor, planing on getting a new one just having hard time what to get, it's between e-tec or a Mercury 90 horse two stroke any input would be a help, thank you

---

The E-TEC is a great motor but I wouldn't rule out a 4 stroke 90HP Mercury.
Are you buying new or used? If used the Evinrude eTec 2 stroke would be better than the 2 stroke Mercury in my opinion.

---

I bought a 1988 with a 2012 E-TEC 90 in winter of 2015 and put over 200 hours on it in 2 seasons. In my opinion this is a great motor choice for a Montauk.
It is quiet and great on gas and oil consumption and only requires service every 300 hours.

---

The Mercury Optimax 90 (2 stroke) is no longer available. The majority of repowers are with the FourStroke series.

With almost every 90 hp 4-stroke outboard being very reliable, most buyers of new engines shop based on:

Price
Service/support
Location
weight
features

---

We have a 1975 Montauk and went with the 90 E-TEC. Very happy with the choice. I am a Yamaha four stroke guy but the 90 Etec, in my opinion, is the way to go on the older Montauks. It replaced on an old, smoky, hard to start cross flow Evinrude 90 so it was a welcome addition. Thought we would lose some performance but seems like we have gained some (although we don't have any speedo/GPS to prove it).

---

I have a 75 etec on a 1977 Montauk and it is a great engine. If you can get a 90 for the same money, I think it would be the perfect engine for a classic Montauk. It starts instantly, is quiet, has instant power/throttle response and uses remarkably little fuel and oil. I like not having to worry about oil changes, belts and the lighter weight.

I had a 90 hp Ficht and the 75 etec is actually a little faster in the mid range power band. Top end speed is about 3 mph less with the 75.

I looked hard at a Yamaha F70, it's weight (270 lbs) makes it a great engine for a Montauk.

---

The 16'/17' Engine Choices/Weight "Quick Reference Guide" in the popular articles category of articles is an excellent reference. What you will not yet see in the article is mention of Evinrude's newest addition to the High Output series (not a pontoon motor): The Evinrude E-Tec 65 HO outboard. I saw one recently at my local dealer for sale for $7100. in gray color.

---

I went thru the same conundrum this past year. For me the choice was between the Yamaha 4 stroke and the E-Tec.

I went with the E-tec 90 on my 1981 Montauk. In my opinion that motor was made for older Whalers. I bought it in the spring while the 6 year warranty, and free rigging promotion was going on.

Truly a perfect combination.

I was fortunate that each motor had local representation as the boat is on a island.

Al

---

You might also take a look at a Tohatsu TLDI (Direct Injected 3 Star) 2 stroke 90. Less expensive than an Evinrude and every bit as good, if not better, and only weighs 315#. They use the Orbital/Optimax technology. Tohatsu's have a long standing reputation as highly reliable engines, real workhorses that run and run and run. They have the same cubes and power as an Etec 90.