Best 40 HP...???

[Gator Bait]

Got a 2003 Fisher 1610SS w/Mercury 40 HP ELPTO 2 stroke.
Thinking about a new motor. Of the new motors on the market today, what would be your choice? Why? Boat is rated for 40 HP.

[JoeFish]

I got an 09 Evinrude E-Tec 40 and I couldnt be happier.

[wannabe fisherman]

your already at the max HP for the boat and unless your having real problems with the Merc why change?

[Gator Bait]

Tue we were out fishing in a bayou and the motor didn't start. It had been running fine, run a half mile...stop and fish...run a mile...stop and fish...etc. The last time (when we were ready to head back to the ramp) it would not fire. It would spin just fine but not fire up. Took it to the shop yesterday, not sure how much I trust it now being an 03 and don't know how it was run before last Sept when I bought it.

[jiggshooter]

man just see what the mechanic says if it a cheap fix then i would go that route if not thats when i would worry about a motor then i would check out tohatsu and evinrude

[Gator Bait]

I thought maybe it was flooded so started out on the trolling motor. About a mile later we got to the main bayou (like the interstate of that area of the swamp) and tried it again...nothing. Got lucky and a bass boat came along and towed us the last 2 miles. They were the ONLY other trailer in the parking lot!

A storm/cold front blew through Mon night so our trip was more "get out of town/sight seeing". Oh did I mention...my Mom is down for her 92nd birthday and wanted to go fishing/see the bayou. She loved it...till the end. She caught a couple of catfish and we played with an alligator (see "Alligator Tag" on youtube).

We weren't very far out Tue. Some of the time we are out in the Atchafalaya Swamp, and there is NOTHING there for miles and miles. Maybe a flair gun and a handheld marine radio in the boat wouldn't be such a bad idea...

[Gator Bait]

I got an 09 Evinrude E-Tec 40 and I couldnt be happier.

I was looking at the web site yesterday and the E-Tec 40 looks interesting. Does it have a lot of get-up-and-go? How's the fuel/oil usage compared to an older 2 stroke?

[huntinslabs]

I have not heard any real issues lately from any of the motors. Usually most complaints and problems seem to come from poor customer service from the dealer. I would ask around to find the best dealer for after the sale support reguardless of brand and go with that, also factor in the warranty.

[Drum_Master]

I've got a 2001 50hp merc 2 stroke, which is the same motor as your's, except for carbs. The 40, 50, and 60hp all use the same block. It's a tried and true motor, so I would definately see about fixing it, unless you just want a new motor. The new EFI 4 strokes mercs are very nice. Turn the key and they start right up. They don't even have a choke. No 2 stroke oil, no smoke, very quiet, and lots of torque. I have "heard" the ETEC 40 horse lacked torque, but that was just one persons experience with one motor.

[Gator Bait]

I've got a 2001 50hp merc 2 stroke, which is the same motor as your's, except for carbs. The 40, 50, and 60hp all use the same block. It's a tried and true motor, so I would definately see about fixing it, unless you just want a new motor. The new EFI 4 strokes mercs are very nice. Turn the key and they start right up. They don't even have a choke. No 2 stroke oil, no smoke, very quiet, and lots of torque. I have "heard" the ETEC 40 horse lacked torque, but that was just one persons experience with one motor.

Is it really as simple as changing to 50HP carbs to get more HP? Or is there internal differences?
The 4 strokes are nice but I wonder about extra weight. Hard to plane...porpouis?