Evinrude E-TEC 75 Outboard Engine Review

I can’t believe 10 years have passed since I first tested an E-Tec 75. Back then, mid-range DFI two-strokes were relatively new and slowly beginning to win acceptance in the recreational boating industry.

But other than Tohatsu’s TLDI range gaining OEDA three-star compliance in line with the competition, not a whole lot has changed since then. There’s still the Mercury OptiMax 75 and, more recently, the Tohatsu TLDI 75 (uprated from a 70), but no new DFI engines.

So, how does the E-Tec 75 stack up after all these years? Well, it’s still the only one of the three to have self-contained DFI (direct fuel injection), eliminating the need for a battery to run the system. And it’s still the lightest of the three, despite having a slightly larger piston displacement than the Tohatsu.

Evinrude E-TEC 75

Like the Tohatsu TLDI 75, the E-Tec 75 is de-rated from 90 hp, which is significantly under-stressed. Its three-cylinder loop-charged 1295cc powerhead develops 75.1 hp at 5000 rpm with a WOT range of 4500- 5500 rpm. Like all E-Tecs, the 75 mixes stratified and homogenous combustion, with only fuel sprayed into the combustion chambers. Unlike the OptiMax and TLDI, in which atomised air and fuel are injected.

The under-flywheel alternator produces up to 75A, and the powerhead-mounted 2.8L oil tank feeds the variable-ratio oil injection, from about 60:1 at WOT to 300:1 when trolling. The 75 will normally be set up to run on synthetic Evinrude XD100 oil, but if the engine is to be trolled extensively, semi-synthetic XD50 will eliminate the possibility of cylinder bore glazing. The (dry) long shaft weighs 145kg, and the gear ratio is a low 2:1.

Powerhead access is excellent, and servicing isn’t needed for the first 300 hours, but that applies only to freshwater usage. For saltwater, the 75 should be serviced every 100 hours or annually, and this will likely include changing the gear oil and lubricating the throttle/gearshift linkages.

Performance

Mounted on a Stacer 475 Bay Master Sports runabout and swinging a 17-inch pitch alloy prop, our demo 75 had plenty of poke for three to four adults. It started instantly hot or cold with no oil smoke appearing at any time, nor any oil smell when backing upwind. The remote-control box had a positive shifting action with barely a “clunk” when engaging gear, and, provided the anti-ventilation plate was kept at least three-quarters immersed, power astern was good, helpful in backing off sandbars in estuarine fishing.

Like all E-Tecs, the 75 had plenty of mid-range grunt and easily planed our 860kg at fewer revs than a comparable four-strokes would have needed. No prop ventilation occurred through tight turns at 4000 rpm, and the 75 was quiet across its entire range, though noisier than Honda’s BF75 at WOT. Vibration levels were also low, less than those of the E-Tec 60.

The Wrap

I love DFI two-strokes, and the E-Tec 75 makes an excellent case for DFI engines over four-strokes. The owner of the demo boat and engine said he loved two-stroke outboards, but wanted a cleaner engine without the complexity of camshaft timing belts and valve clearance adjustments, so the E-Tec 75 was the natural progression for freshwater and saltwater fishing, and family fun.

The E-Tec 75's lighter weight is a significant bonus when you’re repowering an older boat that may not have been designed to handle the extra bulk. Add the instant throttle response and mechanical simplicity, and DFI engines are the way to go for us old-timers weaned on Carbie two-strokes.

The Evinrude E-Tec 75 has a five-year recreational-usage warranty.

Thanks to Bombardier Recreational Products Australia, Bankstown, NSW (02 9794 6600), for the loan of the demo engine for this test.

Performance

3.3kts (6.1kmh) @ 700rpm (trolling) 
5.9kts (11kmh) @ 1000rpm (fast troll) 
9.7kts (18kmh) @ 2000rpm (offshore troll) 
15.6kts (29kmh) @ 2800rpm (clean plane) 
20.2kts (37.5kmh) @ 3000rpm (min. cruise) 
28.8kts (53.5kmh) @ 4000rpm (cruise) 
36.9kts (68.5kmh) @ 5150rpm (WOT)

The Competition

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This article was written by Andrew Norton and photos provided by BRP and previously appeared at TradeaBoat.com.au, now powered by Only Boats.

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