Evinrude this week announced the addition of four popular horsepower classes to its E-Tec G2 outboard line. In 2014, Evinrude debuted the first G2 outboards with 3.4-liter engine blocks and horsepowers ranging from a 200 H.O. to 300. The newest outboards feature 2.7-liter blocks and range from 150 to 200 hp. They also carry over a number of features from the initial offering, including the aggressive, angular G2 styling.
As with all Evinrudes, the new engines are direct-fuel-injected two-stroke outboards. Such technology affords boating anglers a number of performance advantages, says Jason Eckman, product marketing manager for Evinrude. “G2 is the perfection of E-Tec,” Eckman states. Evinrude’s G2 technology offers 20 percent more torque, 15 percent better fuel efficiency and 75 percent fewer emissions when pitted against comparable four-stroke outboards, according to Evinrude’s comparison tests.
Overcoming four-stroke bias among saltwater boating anglers is a challenge for Evinrude, Eckman admits. Yet he also sees great potential in offering something distinctly different and, as he views it, better. “You can’t make a me-too product and delight enthusiasts,” he says.
The new generation of Evinrude outboards have advanced far beyond the old-school perception of two-strokes, says Eckman. He points out that E-Tec G2 technology eliminates objections such as two-stroke smoke and smell, while retaining key advantages, including a better power-to-weight ratio and more low-end torque than comparable four-strokes. The new G2s offer a number of innovative conveniences, including built-in power-assist steering with the components concealed inside the engine housing. Electronic steering input from the helm tells the outboard where to turn. G2 motors also feature electronic throttle and shift. As a result, there are no hydraulic lines or throttle cables – a single rigging tube is all it takes.
Eliminating hardware in front of the outboard also allows for a higher tilt axis, which permits the lower unit to trim completely out the water when docked to help minimize corrosion. For boaters who want re-power with a G2 but keep their existing Evinrude mechanical throttle-and-shift controls, an available module converts cable input to electronic signals. A beltless magneto delivers 40 percent more amps than the first generation of Evinrude E-Tec outboards to keep batteries charged and supply more than enough electrical power for pumps and electronic accessories, says Eckman. An under-cowl three-gallon oil tank supplies two-stroke lubricant to the oil-injected engine, but you can also equip the new G2 outboard with remote tanks for two-stroke oil.
These G2 outboards offer i-Trim, a selectable feature that can automatically trim the outboard for optimum hole shot, fuel efficiency and speed. You can turn i-Trim on or off using the Evinrude Icon touch-screen display, which takes the place of traditional gauges, or by simply pressing the trim/tilt button on the throttle control lever. This overrides the automatic function in favor of skipper-controlled trimming. The anti-ventilation plate on the lower unit extends farther aft to improve prop thrust, while “wings” on the clamp bracket help deflect spray. A slight camber on the skeg helps compensate for the effects of prop torque while underway.
As with the bigger 3.4-liter G2 models, the cosmetics of the new outboards can be customized to match your boat colors, thanks to the availability of special panels and accent decals. There are hundreds of combinations from which to choose.
Evinrude E-Tec G2 outboards carry a five-year limited warranty for the engine and corrosion. Also with these engines, there’s no scheduled maintenance required for the first five years or 500 hours. For boaters in northern latitudes, the G2s offer an automatic winterization function to further minimize maintenance. When you consider the performance advantages, convenient features and a choice of colors, Evinrude’s burgeoning line of E-Tec G2 outboards is hard for boating anglers to ignore, be it on a new boat or as a choice for re-power.
