How reliable are the newer engines?

[Bushwacker]

I have over 500 hrs on my E-TEC and have had zero reliability problems; starts instantly on the first revolution every time! Although the boat is just barely self bailing with the big Hermco bracket, at 429 lbs, I sure wouldn't go any heavier on the motor for balance reasons, especially with a bracket. Took it on a 700 mile trip in 2010, loaded very heavy with 2 coolers, gear, groceries, and extra gas jugs, averaged about 4.5 mpg, cruising at 27-31 mph.


Those I-3 60's were much lighter than any of the new motors, so I wouldn't recommend any modern motor for twins because of weight, but all the modern moters are very reliable so I wouldn't worry about a single. A single plus a small kicker is also a viable option, since with twin 4-strokes, you probably wouldn't have enough mid-range torque to plane on one engine anyway! The 2.6L V-6 E-TEC (135, 150, 175, 200) is PLENTY of power for a 20, but even the 115/130 HP V-4 is more than enough power if you run in rough stuff a lot, and the boat will ride better and plane at lower speed with almost 50 lbs less weight on the transom!