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To All -

I am seriously considering an Evinrude E-TEC 200 or 225 for the power on my Outrage 22 restoration project.

The 200 is a 150 block with the increase brought about through injector increases. It weighs about 430 lb. The 225 is its own block (increased cubic inches) and weighs about 533 lbs.

My question is this: has anyone had experience with either engine and what is your objective assessment about the unit after having put some hours on it?

I am wrestling with the extra weight for just 25 hp increase versus the "work" a 200 has to do to move the boat at the same speed as a 225. What about a 530 lb. engine on a 22 year old transom, torque and the like?

I would appreciate any comments and feedback.

Many thanks one more time to others in W.C.

Joe Bauer

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Joe -- No, that is not accurate. The E-TEC 150, 175 and 200 share the same 2.6 liter block just as the 200 H.O., 225 and 225 H.O. share the same 3.3 liter block.

I know of both the 200 and 225 E-TECs being used for re-powering the Outrage 22. Owners of both motor report being very happy.

The 2.6 liter 200 is lighter and the 3.3 liter 225 is faster. Both are more than adequate to move the 22 foot classic Whaler models. Choose your poison.

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My prior Outrage 22' Cuddy had a 175hp Johnson on the back and pushed the boat around 40/41 mph...

If I were to have upgraded the engine, I would have selected the 427 pound E-Tec 200 along with a kicker motor for fishing and backup engine. A kicker motor also saves from putting many hours on the main motor making the main motor last much longer.

Andy Gere went with the same engine of my choice on his Outrage 22' Cuddy along with his kicker.
http://www.whalercentral.com/infusion...ser_id=271

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Generally speaking, when choosing between different HP models that share a similar block, the predominant theory is to go with the smaller HP model within the series. The lower HP model is thought to have to work less, contributing less strain on the block. I'm sure there are differing opinions on whether this is actually true. It seems to make sense though that a 2.6L block will have a more difficult time producing a full 200 HP than it would producing 175 HP or 150 HP.

Having said that, if your only hesitation to the 3.3 L 225 HP is weight, unless you transom has been compromised or otherwise abused, 530 lbs is well within the design limits of that transom.

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I have always gone by "Get the motor with the most HP per block design." So in the 2.6l design I would get the 200. If you go with a 3.3 block I would consider the 225HO if cost is not an issue. Honestly though the 2.6l 200 will do you just fine.

Also, if down the road you ever decide to sell the boat it will be powered as a buyer would expect it. Most buyers of 22 Outrages would want and expect to see a motor of 200hp on the transom. Anything less and prospective may question if the boat is powered with enough for them to live with long term. I think this is because the vast majority of 22's on the market have 200hp or more.

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Evinrude changed the weights on their website slightly.

The 200 hp now weighs in at 418 pounds.
The 225 weighs in a 518 pounds...

That's 100 pounds difference for 25 more hp which most likely could never be used in every day use unless the water is like a flat pond...

My prior 175 hp was fast enough for me. I just can't see going more than 40 mph, maybe 45, even if I had a 300 hp on the transom... but maybe that's just me....

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The biggest difference between the 2.6L 200 and the 3.3L 200 HO, for example, will be in the midrange. The 3.3L will simply have more available midrange torque due to its extra displacement. The 3.3L block will be the better choice if you expect to run the Whaler heavily loaded (lot's of people, gear, pulling skiiers, etc.) frequently. If not, the 2.6L 200 should do just fine. When the Outrage 22 hull was first introduced in the late 1970s, the largest displacement V6 outboard was not more than 2.6L.

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Interesting point Joe, but the extra 25 HP isn't just available at the top end/full throttle. As Whaler27 says, it's all through the power band, especially on the low end. When we upgraded from the '87 225 HP (which was a 2.6L) to the Etec 200 HO (3.3 L) the difference in low end power and acceleration was night and day. Now I'm sure part of that is the DI system, but the rest is the extra displacement. The catch is that you'll pay more in fuel use with the 3.3 L than with the smaller block.

Think about how you're going to use the boat mainly and decide from there which engine would be best for you.

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I definitely agree about the power band.

But I also think everyone can agree that 200 hp has plenty top end and power throughout the power band... a 200 is a very strong engine on a 22'.....

A 100 pounds is still a 100 pounds and I would rather put a 100 pound kicker motor back there.

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Totally agree. We'd have gone with the 200 2.6 but our hull is heavier than average according to the local scale, and we usually travel pretty loaded with people and gear. Was a catch 22 (so to speak) as 100 lbs less back there would have been a benefit to transom height above the water line.

BTW, there's also been some talk on the Etec owners site that the power band for the 150 isn't all that much less than the 200...

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Gentlemen -
My sincere thanks for all your very helpful responses - one of the many reasons I joined Whaler Central. Just as an aside - our (Maryland) DNR police are using e-tecs on their boats as a general rule. As they put on untold hours during a work year, that would seem to further solidify the strength and reliability of the engines.
I am also planning to include a 9.9 hp kicker as part of the package - even more reason to go with the 200 hp as my primary prower supply. As Joe K. noted - 40 to 45 is plenty fast for my boating needs. If I feel the need to go faster, I'll go by car.
Also, if any of you folks have the opporutinty to view the Evinrude e-tec DVD, please try to do so. I realize that it is a marketing piece, but to see a head-to-head tug of war between two identical boats with equal power ending in the e-tec powered boat swamping and ultimately flipping the Yamaha powered boat is well - interesting to say the least. And, unexpected as a demonstration.
Again, your comments and thoughts continue to be very valuable at mulitple levels - thank you.
With kind regards to all,
Joe Bauer

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Joe Bauer,

What brand of 9.9 are you putting on?

I have been waiting for the E-Tec 9.9 but it is not out yet and it is not listed in the 2010 Evinrude catalog....

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Good Evening Joe,
About the 9.9 kicker - I do not yet know what brand of engine will be selected at this time. However, I am thinking of a small Johnson since a color match would be visually better. A Yamaha would of course do the job, but I am hoping that Evinrude will shortly move down into the smaller hp range. My local dealer indicated that the company plans to intorduce the smaller hp units within a year - we'll see. I could always paint a Yamaha to match, but would that be heresy? The Evinrude would probably quit on me.
I will let you know what ultimately finds its way onto the transom.
With kind regards,
Joe Bauer

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Joe Bauer,

I agree with the Johnson or even Evinrude kicker during the 1997 to around 2002 models. Both the Johnson and Evinrude 4 stroke 8 hp models of that era were White.....

I used to own this 1997 Evinrude 4 stroke 8 hp.....
[img]http://www.whalercentral.com/images/Evinrude_8hp.jpg[/img]