E-Tec 300

3 Hundred

On recent tests north of Couran Cove, South East Qld, Evinrude arranged a Haines Hunter 640 BowRider with the pre-release E-TEC 300hp. This knockout combination was fast and powerful from standing stationary in the water, with smooth, effortless thrust up to exciting speeds. Best described as truly exhilarating sports car performance on the water - with no limits.

There's no doubt the crew at Evinrude also love power and speed, grinning as the power reached new highs. Then on an expansive broadwater, with no other vessels in sight, Paul Armstrong, Evinrude's technical representative and experienced ski-race team driver, suggested: "Take her flat out - WOT."

Now there's an order you don't get very often. Wow, more G-forces as instant power propelled the Haines Hunter urgently forward, soon travelling at 100kph.

POWER IS GOOD
Evinrude demonstrated their top of the range brute in Queensland before the American boat shows, so it was a well-kept secret for some months. Now it's all go. Manufactured by BRP, the 300hp will soon be available at Evinrude dealerships worldwide.

Announcing the new outboard, Grégoire Dupont, general manager BRP Australia stated: "The 300hp E-TEC engine gives offshore anglers and high-performance boating enthusiasts a new choice in low maintenance, low emission outboard power.

"The 300hp has the same three-year/300-hour benefits of no dealer scheduled maintenance, like all Evinrude E-TEC engines. No other brand of outboard engine allows consumers to spend more time on the water," he said.

The new 300hp E-TEC makes its public debut at the upcoming Miami International Boat Show, shortly after this issue of TrailerBoat is released.

MORE TORQUE
With 3.4-litre displacement, and thanks to an increased stroke, the new E-TEC develops more low and mid-range torque, plus top speed, than similar two and four-stroke outboards. This extra power allows trailerboaters to plane heavy loads, pull skiers, wakeboarders or tubers better than ever before.

The E-TEC 300hp wraps a big block two-stroke direct injection power plant in a compact, lightweight design that Evinrude claims provides more performance than competitive engines at the same horsepower. An amazingly high-power to low-weight ratio provides a host of advantages including improved fuel efficiency, less draft for improved boat handling and faster boat planing.

FUEL EFFICIENCY
One of the biggest benefits of the unique Evinrude E-TEC technology is increased fuel economy and extended range. Performance testing has shown the engine can deliver as much as 35 to 40 per cent improvement in fuel economy and 50 per cent improvement in oil consumption compared to traditional electronic fuel injection (EFI) models.

With higher fuel prices and even some question of the true octane in some fuel, it's a plus to find this super performer only requires 87 octane. Especially as premium fuel is not always available on the water and some land-based suppliers don't carry premium either, or it's not always top grade.

My experiments with engines over the years clearly demonstrated three external design elements especially affect performance and efficiency: Air intake, fuel and a muffler system that is the best balance between back-pressure, flow and meeting passenger and government noise expectations.

We've highlighted the new E-TEC only needs low octane and the other two performance points are addressed too: E-TEC's breathing is through a new design high-flow air inlet. At the other end of the cycle, a one-piece inner exhaust has replaced 24 separate pieces that make up the water plate, inner exhaust system and related hardware in the 3.3lt platform. Now a single lost-foam piece of aluminium has all the components needed. This design increases reliability, less chance of leaks and less maintenance.

A computer-designed leading edge reduces the chance of weeds wrapping around the housing that could compromise cooling and performance. Secondary water inlets, located at the nose of the gear-case housing, provide improved cooling over a wider range of conditions, especially in weeds.

"Modern boats with an array of electronics are electrical power-hungry too," said Knight.

"The E-TEC 300hp has a high output alternator for ample power. Evinrude specifies 'net' available amperage - 'free amps' - what the owner can actually use after the engine's systems consume their operating power.

"The Evinrude has 50amps net or 133amps gross. More available amps allow the trailerboater to operate more electronics, more often. Evinrude's additional amperage means there's less chance of running down the battery or encountering a dead battery after operating onboard electronics. Additionally, E-TEC's alternator has no belt drive, so no belts to wear, break or replace," Knight said.

The 300hp E-TEC includes an all-new SLE Magnum high-performance gearcase. Its hydrodynamic design increases engine efficiency while providing superior control at speed. An innovative forward gear and bearing design increases strength and durability, while a new propshaft bearing carrier reduces movement and wear.

All E-TEC 300hp engines feature a new cylinder honing process that improves cylinder wall geometry, making the cylinder bore more true to design specification. The resulting hone pattern improves lubrication, plus piston to cylinder wall interface for improved lubrication, cooler piston temperatures and longer engine life.

E-TEC's Multi Point Oiling System also improves lubrication at slow speeds and provides increased engine life. This is achieved by oil injected at multiple points in the crankcase and cylinder block, optimising the oil's lubrication properties while efficiently metering the precise amounts to each cylinder.

The new E-TEC 300hp is available in white 25 and 30-inch shaft models plus counter-rotating models. All carry BRP's factory-backed three-year non-declining warranty.

For more info, phone (02) 9794 6600 or visit http://www.brp.com/