Evinrude has stepped into a new power class in style with this range of impressive outboards.
At a recent media event on the Gold Coast celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the Evinrude outboard motor, Modern Fishing had the opportunity to test the new 25 and 30hp tiller steer E-TECs on a range of different small boats. Tiller steers have come a long way.
The new E-TEC 25 and 30hp range includes 14 different models, seven in each power class,weighing between 66kg and 83kg, depending on features. Two models in each power range are set up for remote or accessory tiller; the other five models in each power come fitted with a tiller as standard.
The release of these new motors is E-TEC’s first step into these power classes and it has entered in style with some impressive features. Long tiller handles for good steering leverage are pretty standard across all brands these days. Where each brand defines itself is in ergonomics, user-friendliness, how it configures the controls and by special features.
The basic E25DR and E30DR models are rope start and consumers have a range of feature combinations all the way up to the top-of-the-range E25DPL and E30DPL models, which include electric start, power trim and tilt, and a unique troll control feature.
The troll control is operated by a button on the tiller near the throttle and enables the skipper to increase or decrease the revs in 50rpm increments between 900rpm and 2000rpm. The engine maintains the revs until further adjustment. It’s like a basic cruise control and is a feature anglers will enjoy. It’s such a cool feature and I couldn’t stop playing with it. The rev range in which it operates has many practical applications between barra and pelagic trolling.
The gear shift is located near the throttle for an easy change between forward, neutral and reverse. The tiller angle can be adjusted to sit at a comfortable height for the skipper and trim adjustments are operated with a thumb switch at the end of the throttle handle. Because the switch moves with the throttle, it takes a few minutes to get the hang of which way is up, but it’s all easy once you become familiar with it.
The electric start is always a welcome option on an outboard, but it’s also nice to have the option of a model with rope start as well, just in case.
The five tiller-steer combination options cover a range of budgets and requirements and allow a bit of luxury in small tiller steer boats. They will most likely enter the market at the top end of the price list in each horsepower range, but you get what you pay for, and in this case that’s plenty of features in one of the most user-friendly tiller steer outboards that Modern Fishing has tested.
The little engines also offer performance. The test day was held on the Gold Coast Broadwater, a good example of the sheltered waters this size engine is most likely to operate on. In a moderate breeze and fitted to a range of boats, the acceleration and power was everything you would expect from a modern direct-injection two-stroke. They’ll get your tinnie up and going in no time, or if you want to relax while trolling, adjust the tiller tension to hold your line and then sit back and wait for the fish to strike. If conditions change or you have a hunch a little more or less speed might trigger some action, press the troll control button a few times and you’ll be set.
These feature-packed outboards are inline, two-cylinder, direct-injection 578cc engines with a full throttle-operating range of 5000 to 6000rpm. They also pass the low emissions test: they have a California Air Resources Board (CARB) three-star rating and comply to the environmental standards of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and the European Union (EU).