Evinrude E-TEC Outboard Engine Review

If you’re after an outboard that massages and tones your muscles through transmitted vibration, the E-Tec 150 will disappoint you. But it does have tonnes of torque delivered right where you need it.

The least powerful of a trio of 60° V6 DFI outboards, and the smallest V6 in the E-Tec range, the 150 is also the only DFI 150 to score an three-star OEDA exhaust emissions rating.

The 2589cc loopcharged 150 develops 150.1hp at 5000rpm with a WOT range of 4750-5750rpm. It also develops a massive 310Nm of torque at only 3500rpm, with a relatively flat torque curve either side of this peak. Bombardier Recreational Products is one of only two outboard manufacturers to supply torque figures, so when you buy an E-Tec 150 you know exactly what you’re getting.

The 150 uses single-stage direct injection, only injecting fuel into the combustion chambers. The engine uses much less fuel when trolling than comparable output four-stroke outboards, but delivers traditional two-stroke holeshot and top-end performance. The 11.4L in-boat oil tank gives plenty of range.

The voltage-regulated alternator is under the flywheel so there’s no belt to fail. It produces 15A of charging when trolling, and 50A at WOT, so you can go wild with electronic toys. The dry longshaft weight is 194kg and the gear ratio 1.85:1.

The gear oil should be changed at least annually and the throttle and gearshift linkages lubricated because the three-year no-servicing period applies only to fresh water. The recreational-angling warranty is five years.

The 150 can use either standard unleaded or premium, but 98 octane must never be used because it will wash lubricating oil from the cylinder walls. As for oils, if you do a lot of slow trolling then Evinrude XD50 is the way to go, but stick with XD100 for all-round usage.

ON THE WATER

I normally test engines like the 150 on hulls in the 6m range, so it was very innovative of BRP Australia to mount a 150 on something much smaller. The Haines Hunter 490 ProStrike side console demo hull really showed what the 150 was capable of, especially since it was only pushing 1100kg.

The 150 started instantly hot or cold, with no oil smoke or smell, and trolled so smoothly virtually no vibration was felt through the hull. Despite swinging an 18in stainless steel Raker prop the engine planed in a couple of seconds and soon threw us back in our seats right out to WOT. There was no prop ventilation through tight turns at 4000rpm and, like all really quick boats, engine and exhaust noise was left behind at or near WOT.

THE TRADE-A-BOAT VERDICT

Apart from its sheer holeshot grunt and top-end performance, I liked that the E-TEC 150 components like pistons and conrods have been around since 1991, when OMC released the carbie version of this powerhead. That can be great when you’re fishing in more remote areas.

I also love the simplicity of this engine, with no drive belts to fail. The fact the injection system is powered from the flywheel, meaning a massive starter battery isn’t needed to maintain a high operating voltage, is a real bonus.

And if you’re strong enough, or really want to stuff your back, the 150 can be rope started. Try that with other 150hp injected outboards.

As of June 2013, the longshaft Evinrude E-TEC 150 carried a price of $19,670, with a spare Raker prop around $1000.

Thanks BRP Australia, Bankstown, NSW (02 9794 6600, www.brp.com) for supplying the engine for this test.

PERFORMANCE

2kts (3.7kmh) @ 500rpm (trolling) — 1.3L/h

17.4kts (32.2kmh) @ 2400rpm (planing) — 15.3L/h

26.9kts (49.9kmh) @ 3000rpm (most economical cruise) — 20.6L/h

39.1kts (72.5kmh) @ 4000rpm (fast cruise) — 35.7L/h

50.4kts (93.5kmh) @ 5200rpm (WOT) – 63.4L/h

THE COMPETITION

Originally published in TrailerBoat #297, July/August 2013.