hutch4113

Hi Everyone,

I am thinking of upgrading my HDS5 Gen 2, to a 7 model - Probably just a Gen3 in the same line.  My question though is on the Transducer, and if I would have to change that out to go to the next model.  I also have a LSS1.   If anyone can assist, let me know.

Thanks in advance.

Adam

You are correct - I misread the news article.

So far I love my Evinrude - so it was disappointing to see the BRP is ending the line (I am on 2.5 seasons with a G1 135HO).  They have sold it entirely to Mercury - so it will be interesting to see what happens.  But perhaps you can get a great deal on a clearance Evinrude?

Hi Everyone,

I am planning on taking my Dad through the Trent Portion of the waterway.  Neither one of us have done that entire section - and with everything that is happening, I have time.  We are looking to leave next week, from either Barrie, or Beaverton, depending on the Weather.  Will be taking my 18 Foot Boat,  which can average 40+ mph in the fast sections.

I am trying to figure out how far we can get each day - but also to make sure we have a place to stay (Marina and/or hotel with docking).  Has anyone done this trip all the way to Trenton?  It appears if I am calculating correctly, that we can do it in 3 days (if there are no issues).  Day one the plan would be to get as far as Young's Point.  Day Two - to Campbellford.  Day 3 - to Kingston (have family there).

Any tips, experiences, etc. would be greatly appreciated. 

Hey everyone.  Friend and are (or were) planning on going out on Pigeon on Monday - but have heard a rumor that some of the lakes up there already have ice on them?  Anyone know if the Launch at Nogies Creek is open?  Any help would be great.  Sorry for the short notice.

I am used to the proper IN/OUT rules at a boat launch - so the Tiffin Launch in Barrie always drives me crazy.  I hate it when people dock at the launch, and then go get their vehicle - which is now behind the line up of those wanting to launch - but of course their boat is blocking access.

Now in fairness - the design of that launch is horrible - and docking off to the side is not always available.  

Having said that, my story was a late evening.  There were about 4 boats ahead of me waiting to be pulled out.  So I docked at the side, and waited.  About 30 minutes later, I see two boats roaring down the bay, and said to my wife, just you watch - they are going to dock at the launch.  It was my turn coming up so got the truck in the lane - and when ready backed it in.  As I got out, the wife in one of the boats (who are now parked/blocking the launch ramp) said "Excuse me - but we need to pull our boats out".  I said I had been here for 30 minutes already - pointed to my boat and proceeded to walk away.

Pulled the boat over to load (it drives on real nice) and they were still sitting in my way.  I just sat there waiting - until they finally clued in and moved.  I was in/out in under a minute.

Launched at Innisfil the other day (what a much better system - and they even had Police there, I guess because they knew it would be busy) and have always seen a large line up of people standing at the railing.  I figured they were watching people, but was not 100% sure.  Anyway after launching a Lady remarks to me - well that was no fun - where was the Drama ?.   So confirmed what I thought - they go there to watch the often highly rated Gong Show.

Update on the motor so far - love love love it.  One of the nice things about it is the noise, particularly at low idle.  It has a real nice note.  Trolled with it this past week - all day, every day - never had a problem.  It maintained a nice constant speed.

Running it this year with a SS Viper.  Hitting 5900 on the RPM at WOT.   Maxes out with two people at 43.5 mph.  However more impressive is when I have six people in boat.  Hole Shot is still under 5 seconds - and we hit 41 to 42 MPH at WOT which was really impressive.

I will be going with Happy Days myself - for the first time.   Leaving in a couple of weeks.  Really looking forward to it.

It appears that my pedal just bit the dust as well.  Glad you posted this, as the symptoms appear the same.  Not getting full thrust - and now no turns to left or right.

I am debating a new Pedal - or going with Co Pilot.  How as the Pedal run for you, now that you have had it for a while?

When I was in the Area last October, I tried for muskie and pike, and then gave up.  Started hunting around any rock shoal/small island I could find in GBAY.  Got into a lot of Small Mouth that way, which was a lot of fun.  I was throwing spinners and crank baits.

Thanks.  Always nice to see someone catching there.  I am usually in the area, October Long Weekend - and don't have much success.

I've pretty much switched to Vibrax.  I started finding the build quality of Mepps to not be that great anymore.  The shaft often bends to easily, and the spinning action stops.

With my old engine...2006 optimax...I never fogged it.  Ran stabil at end of year...and put it away (after changing the lower unit oil).

It was stored in a shelter...etc.  

Never had a problem.  But that was only my experience.  Others may have had issues with a motor seizing....so it may come down to peace of mind.

My new ETEC has a self "fog"...injects more oil into the cylinder.  So I did that this year, since it is part of the motor anyway.

I have used Bounce Sheets since I started storing my boat.  Got that from people that used them in their RV's.  I put them all throughout the Boat.  I have never had Mice - but no idea if the Bounce Sheets are actually doing anything.

However - my Dad's boat was next to mine in Storage - and he had mice in the Motor casing (because of the sound insulation).  No bounce sheets in his boat - so take it for what it is worth.

Got to try the winterization feature on Friday.  Figured since I may not make it out again - and I was on the water - why not.  Have to say - it is a GREAT feature.  Wonder why it took so long for someone to build it into the Engine.

Took about 2 minutes - motor is fogged.  The bonus is, if I want to go out again, I just go.  I can run the process again when I am done.

23 hours ago, Lape0019 said:

I have to say, that is a great review. I wish you would have bought and made this review a few years ago LOL. I had considered swapping my 75 merc 4 stroke out for a 20" shaft 135 HO on my old Tracker (2006 was rated for a 135) but ended up buying a new boat instead.

Like you, I went with an evinrude but I have a 225HO G2.

A few things I can note that should be the same.

1. Please read your manual to confirm but I noted that for my G2, if warranty work needs to be done to the LU, they are very particular with their prop choice. My manual pretty much says you need to be running an Evinrude prop or the warranty will be void. Only pointing this out because you mentioned a non Evinrude prop. I also have a buddy running an aluminum on his 115 and he tried stainless and he found no gain. If you want to see if there is any gains to be had, run your numbers through a prop slip calculator and see what percentage slip you have. If it is under 10%, you will more than likely not see any gains. My Merc was like that.

2. Oil consumption. You are right! During break in it goes through a lot of oil. Once the break in is over, you will notice a lot less oil going through the motor. I am currently on my 3rd jug of oil at the 20 hour mark. My reservoir holds 2 gallons though and there was a gallon in there when I bought it.

3. As mentioned before, the motor will go into limp mode with you get to low. It is a pain that I somewhat found out the hard way. I fish shallow so trim the motor up quite a bit when I am fishing. I trim it down just enough to start before idling out of these spots and on Monday, It went into limp with the oil reservoir at 30%. I shut the motor off and trim all of the way down to the point where it read correctly and I had 37% remaining so I was able to blast off. This s good to know. I had a jug of oil in the truck so I just went and got it and filled her up.

 

Thanks for the tips.  The G1 has a separate Oil Tank - will be interesting to see if it does the same thing.  

I have not received my Warranty Info yet.  I was told it would come by mail - but may have to follow up with where I purchased it from.  Not sure how they can deny warranty based on a Propeller - but good to check it out.

I have ordered the BRP Diagnostic Software and cable.  Hopefully I will get it before the season ends, so I can do out and do another prop test.  I am not 100% convinced my Tach is showing me the right numbers.  I can run the motor with a Laptop connected to verify.  Right now my slip numbers are coming in around 22% which seems awfully high.  I can't see what else can be done - the cavitation plate is on the surface at full trim.

4 hours ago, misfish said:

You blew right pass some great fall smallie grounds. LOL

Oh...we fished them 1st....but nothing was hitting for us that day sadly.

They have icon gauges...which I believe are similar.  I did not look to heavily into it, so not sure what features it has.

Ya...the trolling option it pretty slick.  

Have not seen too many posts on this motor, so thought I would share my impressions in case anyone is looking at it.  

Model is a G1 ETEC 135HO with 25 inch shaft.  Estimated run time since new -> 5 hours.

Sound

First things first - this motor sounds great.  I was used to the higher pitch from my old Optimax, so was not sure what to expect.  However this motor sounds entirely different, with a Low Warble.  The difference a V6 Block makes from a V4 is probably one of the reasons.

This Motor sounds strong.  Even at WOT, it is great to listen to (if you like that sort of thing of course).

Volume

This thing is quiet!!!!  The Optimax was pretty quiet at low idle as well - but this new motor blows it away.  But at WOT is where it is really impressive.  The Opti would scream at WOT (it was not a bad scream - ?) which made conversation a little difficult - more yelling then anything.  

The ETEC is barely louder than the wind noise, which makes conversation much easier.   

Installation/Look

So far I have had several compliments on how nice it looks.  The color (Dark Grey) and lettering, etc. really look nice.   I also like that the Oil Container is separate from the Motor itself.  It does take a bit of storage away, but where I have it was for spare propellers anyway - and they still fit.  

Performance

Motor flat out rocks.  Hard to compare to the old Opti as the new motor has at least 30 more HP.   I also never experimented much with Propellers on the old motor, so not really sure I had the best Propeller on it, for that type of Motor/Boat combo.

However with the OEM Aluminum and ETEC the hole shot is scary quick.  The Trim System is also a little different, but as I am getting used to it, it is nice.  

I now have a Turning Point Hustler 14.25 x 21 P installed.  Ran it a couple of days - and this  combo really sings.  With 3 people in the boat, even in chop I was getting close to 46mph.  Pretty sure with two and calm surface I might hit 48.  May not even look at a Stainless Steel propeller as I am not sure it will beat the performance.

Trolling

I would have to say the Opti did a better job at trolling.  It is not that the ETEC is bad - more that I have a hard time finding the sweet spot with the throttle.  It might be more that the new controls are still stiff - so getting it to a nice speed involves a little more trial and error than I am used to.  But it does troll at a nice speed once I get it set properly.

Other things

Cannot comment on Oil Usage yet, as I am still in the Break in Period - where it will use a lot.  I have basically gone through two jugs.  From what I understand once break in is done, that will drop dramatically.  Fuel consumption has also been higher - getting mixed reports on if that is also because of break in or not.  However more HP = use more Gas.

I also cannot speak to reliability.  I have had one alarm go off (no oil).  But after turning the motor off - checking the tank, etc. the Alarm shut off, and has not come back.  Over long term I hope it will be a good engine - but I have a 7 year warranty with it, so not going to worry to much.

At the end of the day it puts a silly grin on my face every time so far ?.  If you are looking to re-power I would take a serious look at it.

Nice.  Have not made it up there yet this year - hope to before the season closes.

My best results have been out through the straight, and into G'bay.  Last year I had lots of smallies, all around any rock/shoal that you could fine - at the same time of year.  I believe it was warmer however.   I did get some Pike follows as well, and hooked up on a couple - nothing really big though.  Look for my posts, I am pretty sure I put some of the pictures up.

I have yet to catch anything in Moon River and/or Blackstone.  I am pretty sure I did get a musky strike one year trolling - as the Twister tail I was running on a lure came back - without the tail.  

Let us know how you do.  I keep trying - won't be up there this year unfortunately, or probably would have seen you on the water.

Going to be heading out on Saturday out of Kempenfelt.  Two part really - 1st is to test a new Prop.  But once that is out of the way, going to fish for the day.  Probably head up towards Orillia and/or go down to Cooks Bay.

Not looking for your Hot Spots - more of a general idea of what the fish are doing (of course if you want to share some areas, feel free to do so ?).  

This will be my 1st time fishing on it this year, so definitely out of practice.  

Wondering if anyone was using this prop on your motor.  Would like some feedback, etc.  Performance on these sound close to Stainless Steel, though I am sure it won't be as good.  Might decide to stick with Aluminum if this make is any good.  Would be going with a 14.5 19P most likely.

Thanks.

Thanks for the suggestions.  It was a cartridge style, and once I figured out how to pop it out, it was easy.  Motor was fine - there was some fishing line wrapped around wheel, which is why the breaker was popping ?. 

I wonder who left fishing line in the Bilge ?

1 hour ago, grimsbylander said:

There are a LOT of variables in play here. Two outboards from two manufacturers, two props, one stainless, one aluminum. 

I think you can absolutely swap out props until to get up to 6000 rpm and you might be happier with the top end, but don't be at all surprised if it nets you zero results. That aluminum prop spinning at 6000 could have been moving the boat SLOWER that your are now. It's prop slip. I've set up a lot of bass boats and once you're within 2-3 mph of the peak performance, that last couple mph will cost you hundreds to solve. I've seen guys get the rpms nailed, great top end, low prop slip and when they have 3-4 people in the boat, they can't get up on plane because they have too much prop. If you're happy with the hole shot and it runs strong fully loaded, I probably wouldn't spend money trying to go from 44 mph to 46 mph. If you have a shop that will let you try props without buying fine, but if you find one you like, you're back to spending a lot to get to 46 mph. JMHO Good luck.

I tried out my Aluminum Prop on the weekend.  Hole Shot was almost scary - top end was actually 1 or 2 KM faster than the SS I had.  However the Aluminum was smaller diameter (though same pitch).  I think I like the larger diameter prop - the entire boat felt way more stable at high speed, then with the Aluminum (it is supposed to be my backup prop anyway).  This will be due to the larger surface area, which can bite more water - and I think the weight of the prop too.  There are some cons too it as well - when I slow down, it is like putting your face through the windshield -> and turning to the Right is much more difficult, but I think I can correct that with adjusting the fin on the motor slightly.  

I am trying a different style of SS - maybe this weekend.  But pretty sure I am going to order the Large Diameter Rebel - but at a 17P instead of a 19P, so I can get the RPM's maxed out where they should be.  Then when I add people and/or equipment, I will be in the proper range for the motor to work.

72KM/H in this boat is plenty fast enough ?, as I have discovered.