[Fr. Frank]

The difference in quality is negligible over the run of all the motors. A specific motor may be exceptionally good, or may have problems.

In this case I would consider carefully length of warranty offered, available dealer support, relationship with a dealer, and purchase price including all accesories and installation/rigging costs !!! You have to compare the "running and in the water" difference.

Finally, do you have an emotional preference? I know some people who, all else being equal, will happily pay a little more for an Evinrude just to get the name, and ditto for Mercury.

Here is something to think about. I have personally owned 40 to 50 different motors over the past 40 years. I have owned Mercury, Mariner, Evinrude, Johnson, Chrysler, Force, Yamaha, Suzuki, Yanmar (diesel and Wankel), McCulloch and Seagull. In all those motors, I have only had one "bad" motor. Just one. It was a 1984 Johnson 140 with electrical and VRO problems.

People slam the old Chryslers, but I had two bulletproof 105 Chryslers on the back of my 25 Mako back in 1976 while I was a commercial lobsterman for a season. They started immediately every morning for 8 months, and neither one ever hiccuped during 1400+ hours of use in that time. I also had a 15hp Chrysler kicker motor push a 25 Robalo 74 miles back from the Bahamas in 1984, running full throttle for 12 1/2 hours, without a hitch when the main engine quit.

I won't pay more for a Mercury, but with all else truly being equal, I'll pick a Merc every time. Just emotional preference. But I started with a Mercury KE7 back in 1968 racing plywood hydroplane "kneeboats", and over the years, I have owned more Mercs than all other brands put together.

Ultimately, you go with what makes you feel comfortable. Both the Etec and the Optimax are very good motors.