2006 Etec 300 hour service

[Vezo, Part II]

Once again, a plethora of information. Thank you Denny! I have priced out the four blade Power Tech at $269 for the OES?, or something in SS. Doug is running SS and not concerned with striking limestone, so I think this will be my choice. I love speed and chine walking from the days of my, now brothers, Jersey Speed Skiff, but realistically, I want to have the ability to plane at 12 mph. Right now, falling off at 28-30 SUCKS!!! And max fuel economy will be critical with a 40 gallon tank. I'd really like to make it to the Bahamas some day, aboard my own boat, with the experience of our members. I can't think of anything more rewarding than crossing with ideal conditions and in a group. I was a FD Captain, not a Boat Captain! Haha. Have to remember that. Great hearing from you and Thanks again.

Vezo

Oh, and no, he did not measure fuel pressure, nor did he add the additional (fuel?) filter under the cowling. Even talked me out of the expensive addition of the latest Smart Gauge for quick reference, and even water pressure/temperature Guage. I'll get there one day.

[Bushwacker]

Originally Posted by Vezo, Part II

. . . Oh, and no, he did not measure fuel pressure, nor did he add the additional (fuel?) filter under the cowling. Even talked me out of the expensive addition of the latest Smart Gauge for quick reference, and even water pressure/temperature Guage. I'll get there one day.

PowerTech has some nice US-made props and certainly has a big selection! Had not been on their web site in a long time, but didn't see an OES series . . . are you maybe looking at OSS or OFS series? You don't need the expensive Cushion Lock hub system - that's for the 4-strokes that are evidently more sensitive. You want the square hub Universal Hub System that takes either a Michigan or Merc 2-piece hub. I'd use the Michigan XHS hub system as it's better quality and more robust than the Merc Flo Torque hub. However my local prop shop, who sells Michigan props, is very impressed with the new BRP props, and I'm not sure that PT has anything to match the latest props.

Maybe your mechanic is just trying to save you money, but the on-engine spin-on filter is cheap insurance . . . a Racor filter in the boat will only hold so much water and will pass water if it gets full, but the on-engine spin-on filter will catch anything getting past the Racor, plus it has a water sensor that will warn you of any water, IF you have an I-Command gauge! I guess some guys don't like gauges because then they won't worry about stuff, and the E-TEC will protect itself to a certain extent, but I like to know what's going on so I can head off potential problems! The I-Command gauge will provide engine hours, rpm, temp, throttle position, fuel flow, mpg, fuel burned, range on remaining fuel and fault codes/sensor errors, etc. I also like to have a mechanical water pressure gauge to give me an idea of how healthy the water pump is.

[TomParis]

When I get my ETEC I will get the ICommand Gauge for sure!

[kmoose]

Originally Posted by Bushwacker

You don't need the expensive Cushion Lock hub system - that's for the 4-strokes that are evidently more sensitive.

The BRP blinders must be really dark today..... I had a very long and engaging discussion with Steve Powers (Owner of PowerTech) at the IBEX show in Tampa just the other week concerning this and several other topics. The real application for the Cushion Lock system is for big HP motors 300hp and above that swing huge heavy props. The system dampens the engagement of the lower unit gears so that they don't suffer from the shear stresses created by the spinning load that would damage the lower units over time. Some manufacturers also utilize a system that kills selected cylinders for a couple of revolutions during shifting to reduce the stress loading even more. It's not a matter of being sensitive, but an innovative process to keep from overbuilding drives and keeping them more trim and hydrodynamic. I guess that's not an issue with a 2 stroke little kicker.

[Bushwacker]

Originally Posted by kmoose

. . . the real application for the Cushion Lock system is for big HP motors 300hp and above that swing huge heavy props. The system dampens the engagement of the lower unit gears so that they don't suffer from the shear stresses created by the spinning load that would damage the lower units over time. . . )

That makes total sense. I was told by the tech I spoke to at PT that the Cushion Lock was developed for the Yamaha 4 strokes and that it wasn't required for my motor, so I didn't pursue the issue any further. This was over 6 years ago, so perhaps he was talking about the big V-8 Yamaha OB's; I suspect this rationale probably applies to the Zuke's also, since they swing large diameter props because of their extra gear reduction.

Since BRP uses the SAME basic lower unit on all G1 Standard V-6 motors from the small block 2.6L 135-200 hp to the big block 3.4L 200-300HP motors, that lower unit is rather seriously overbuilt for the small block motors, which clearly don't need the fancy hub system! Oh, and yes, the E-TEC's do have a shift interrupter switch like MerCruisers have had for years (which can stick and cause a no-start condition, so something to check if motor cranks but won't start . . . the price of "progress"/added complexity!)

[Vezo, Part II]

Yes Denny, you are correct, the OFS 15x15 SS was $269. Are you saying that I should be researching newest models of BRP props rather than the Power Tech? I'm excited to have the boat dialed, while the rut is on, shrimp are in the deep holes, and the rivers are full with reds and trout here in SC!!!

Michael.

[Bushwacker]

Originally Posted by Vezo, Part II

. . . The OFS 15x15 SS was $269. Are you saying that I should be researching newest models of BRP props rather than the Power Tech?. . .

Hey Michael, the PT web site says the OFS series is similar to the Merc Mirage +, which is a pretty good prop. However I tried a 3B 15.5 x 17P version, and it wasn't as good as my 4B 14.125x20P Michigan Apollo, but neither one would turn over 5200 rpm. A 4B version of the Mirage + and the 4B OFS would probably be a little better. BTW, PT's web site lists all OFS4 props as 15.25" diameter, so I'm not sure you could turn a 15P version up to at least 5300 rpm.However the $269 is a dynamite price for a 4B SS prop! My 4B Apollo was $360 in 2007. Most 4B SS props are in the $400-500 range nowadays!

My choices if I were picking 4B SS props at this time, would be:
1. 14.5 x 15P BRP Cyclone
2. 14 5/8 x 16P Michigan Apollo
3. PT OFS4 15.25 x 15P
4. PT ELE4 15 x 15P

Both the Cyclone and ELE turn 5400 rpm on my boat with a heavy load but the Cyclone is 2-3 mph faster and at least 10% more efficient. Don't know what the Apollo and OFS would turn. If I were you, before I spent that much $, I guess I'd check with Ken at Prop Gods to see what he recommends. I think he's in the Tampa area near you, and I believe he'll exchange props till you find the best one.

I'll email you my prop test spreadsheets tonight. Denny

[Vezo, Part II]

Sorry Denny, I misquoted the price. The Power Tech OSF 4 15.25 x 15 is $499 at Prop Gods. I like the idea of exchanging props. In the efficiency category is there a breaking point at which say a 15.25 x 15 turns 5300 revs., but a 15.25 x 16 turns 5500 revs, is the 16 "less efficient" because you're burning more fuel?

If I understand my Seafari, the Viper is a bow lifting prop and seems to take a lot of energy to get on plane, and falls off plane at almost 3000 revs..

What are the chances of number of splines being the same as my 1999 Johnson 175? Maybe for my next trip I will borrow the three blade SS from the MA, and see how that feels, as a comparison. What do you think?

Michael.

[Terry England]

Who needs an outboard motor when you have a weed eater?