From Internet Myths to Master Craftsmanship: Why an Evinrude is Never Finished

I have been a die-hard Evinrude fan since the 1980s. The simplicity, the raw torque, the fierce acceleration, and yes—even the sound and the smell—are the definition of pure boating pleasure to me. When production stopped in 2000, it truly broke my heart. Now that I can dedicate plenty of time to my passion in my hobby workshop, I help boaters all over the world as 'Dr. Evinrude'.

That is exactly why I absolutely hate reading online rumors that you should stay away from Ficht and E-TEC engines. People claim that parts are no longer available or that they are bad motors. Nothing could be further from the truth! In most cases, parts availability is actually better than with other brands. Because Evinrude is such a rock-solid brand with so many engines still out there, it is incredibly easy to find used parts for half the price. These false stories are often fueled by dealers of rival brands who just want to push new outboards to make a quick buck. But believe me: those new engines cannot even stand in the shadow of a properly running Evinrude!

However, for the highly complex electronics work, you need a top-tier team. That team is Hardware Care. Our collaboration is unique: I focus on the mechanical side, while they specialize in the electronic brain. We are in constant communication to get people back on the water as quickly as possible. I test EMM modules on real engines under full load out on the water and report my findings back to them. In return, I supply mechanical parts for their highly advanced test rigs.

Their expertise runs incredibly deep. For instance, I wanted to build my own injector cleaning rig in my workshop. However, my existing tester was set up for 12V (automotive injectors), whereas Evinrude injectors require a system voltage of 40V or 55V to function during the cleaning process. I hit a wall with the electronics. Glenn from Hardware Care stepped right in and designed an electrical schematic for me. Using a bench power supply, a capacitor with a diode bridge, and a solid-state relay, it worked flawlessly. Thanks to Hardware Care, this vital piece of equipment became a reality in my shop!

Whether it involves a unique challenge like that, a complete overhaul of the engine, gearcase, and midsection, or complex, recurring faults: by sharing information and diving deep into the technical matter, we solve everything. Hardware Care is always there for me, even when a repair job needs to be rushed. Up until now, we have successfully gotten every single Ficht and E-TEC back on the water. An indispensable, highly skilled partner!