1989 Trophy Pro Repower

[vinny1185]

First time poster here.

I picked up my first Grady back (Trophy Pro 25)in February with rebuilt twin 96 Johnson Ocean Runner 200s. Boat runs fine aside from sucking gas and oil like nobody's business. I've had Ocean Runners before and I know these motors are bullet proof and easy to work on but since I've been taking my boat further and further offshore, fuel economy is becoming my biggest concern. I was wondering if anyone has repowered with newer 4 strokes and had any regrets with doing it (mainly with the additional weight). I was originally planning on swapping with a pair of new E-tecs but since they are out of business I'm leaning more towards new 4 strokes.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated

 

[Finest Kind]

Love love love my 200 HP Etec G2's on that hull!
I got the TRAC models which do not have the power steering built in, (which were prone to issues in the earlier models) they utilize the existing Sea Star steering system on your boat instead, and they weigh 60 pounds each less than the power steering models as well.

Just because Evinrude no longer builds NEW Etecs does not mean they are no longer a viable option.
If you can still find a pair available at a dealer JUMP on it. You can probably get a good deal on them AND Evinrude still honors their warranties and the dealers all still do service work. (my 2017 Models came with 10 year coverage until 2027)

 

[Sparkdog118]

Once you go 4 stroke, you will never want a 2 stroke again. Especially going from Johnson to Yamaha or Suzuki. I would expect 40% better fuel economy with a 4 stroke over your old Johnsons. Etecs have had some good reviews, but will the parts be available down the line seeing the way the company is doing. I went from 1.9mpg to 2.7mpg at cruise speed (32 mph) on my 24 offshore. Went from 225 yam 2 stroke to F250 yam. I still get 2.0 at 47 mph wide open. Yamaha two stroke is about 20% better on fuel than the ocean runners you have been running. Suzuki has come a long way. They are right there with Yamaha for quality.

 

[Finest Kind]

Love love love my 200 HP Etec G2's on that hull!
I got the TRAC models which do not have the power steering built in, (which were prone to issues in the earlier models) they utilize the existing Sea Star steering system on your boat instead, and they weigh 60 pounds each less than the power steering models as well.

Just because Evinrude no longer builds NEW Etecs does not mean they are no longer a viable option.
If you can still find a pair available at a dealer JUMP on it. You can probably get a good deal on them AND Evinrude still honors their warranties and the dealers all still do service work. (my 2017 Models came with 10 year coverage until 2027)

Although Evinrude is no longer making NEW Etec's, they still stock and produce replacement parts.

By the way, I had 200 Johnsons on originally, then re-powered with 175 Evinrude FICHTs, then 200 Etec G1s, and now have on the 200 Etec G2s. I put on an average of over 200 hours per season and run them HARD.
The G2 is far and away the BEST set of motors I've had since owning Finest Kind in 1991.

NO oil changes, NO belts to wear out, and maintenance required only every 5 years or 500 hours, whichever comes first.
I get an overall AVERAGE of 2.4 MPG with these motors, never got above 1 MPG with the Johnsons.
So yes, the technology has improved tremendously and is in fact BETTER with more TORQUE than the 4 stroke motors....whats not to like?