My cousin and I just returned from a week fishing on the Yukon River. While not many people will run what we had, I think it paints a clear picture of the capabilities provided by the PRODRIVE/ECOTRONS electronic fuel injection (EFI) system as installed by PRODRIVE on a horizontal shaft engine. The engine is a GO-DEVIL Surface Drive, high transom model with galvanized frame, tach/hourmeter, rock guard and the stock 11 X 12 prop. I was curious to compare PRODRIVE's EFI with the ECOTRONS components I installed on a similar GO-DEVIL engine a couple of years ago. The operation and performance was identical, but theirs looked like it was done by professionals and mine looked like what it was... something cobbled together by an old man in his hobby shop. I have the software and cable to connect my Panisonic Toughbook to the ECU for troubleshooting. PRODRIVE has made that redundant. They have installed a small LED in the front of the cowling to give error codes. There is a total of 6 error codes for the PD EFI system. SWEET!!!

1 Flash = CKP (Crank Position) Error Code
2 Flashes = MAP (Manifold Absolute PSI) Error Code
3 Flashes = Ub Battery Error Code (Low Battery Voltage, Hi Battery Voltage, Loose Connection)Error Code
4 Flashes = TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) Error Code
5 Flashes = ECT (Engine Coolant Temp Sensor) Error Code
6 Flashes = IAT   (Intake Air Temp Sensor) Error Code

The boat is important to this description because it has a tremendous effect on performance. Two 74 year old men are into their comfort and the boat plus load reflects that. The boat is a 24 X 60 Monark with a full plywood floor over foam. Since I removed one seat I stiffened the gunwales with 20' clear cedar 2 X 4's. It has a 16' canopy that can be put up in inclement weather. We weighed everything, including the boat, motor, gear, food, fuel and two fat old men. The total package came to 2040 pounds. This is larger and heavier than a normal duck hunting rig, but since it rained 4 out of 7 days I was glad for the comfort it provided.
We ran 492 miles as measured by a Garmin 4008 GPS. The running time logged by the GPS and hourmeter were identical at 31.51 hours. Almost all of the engine running time was at 3550 to 3650 rpm. This rpm range seemed to give the best speed with the load we were pushing. The average 2 way speed calculated by the Garmin was 15.61 mph. The maximum downstream speed in the Tanana and Yukon Rivers was 21 mph with an average of 18 mph. The maximum upstream speed was 15 mph with an average of 13 mph. We burned 76 gallons of fuel on the trip. That comes to 2.41 gallons per hour and 6.47 miles per gallon. My carbureted Surface Drive on a boat HALF THIS WEIGHT runs slightly over 3 gallons per hour and slightly over 7 miles per gallon. I'm anxious to see what kind of performance I can get from my lightly loaded 24 X 48 boat.
This EFI motor ran exactly as I have learned to expect from the one I built. It starts easily, even in the cold, idles smoothly at 900 rpm, has as much or more power as the carbureted engine and gets better fuel economy. The fuel economy is big for me because of the distances I run. Fuel cost in the villages is between $6.50 and $8.00 per gallon depending on where the village is and the time of year. Reliability is also important to me. There were times on this trip that we were 80 miles from the nearest village and that village can't be reached by road. This EFI system appears, at least as reliable as a carbureted engine, but smoother and more efficient. Am I sold? YUP!!!

Fish pictures

nice review Stu - when can we come up for some of that Pike (steaks or fillets)?

oh by the way Stu - this crowd doesn't seem to intrested in better overall engine efficiency and drivability – it’s seems to be all about MPH?

Wrong it's bang for buck. That has been the argument the whole time.

Back on topic.
Cool stu that sounds like an adventure. I'd like to try.

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What is that middle fish?

Stu, you are a badass old man! I'm thoroughly impressed with what you do year in and year out. Keep it up, Sir!

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We don't go on hundred mile excursions and rarely have below freezing temps. Efi 1900-2200$ Carb 800$. Oh yea and a buch of broke Mfrs that want to go fast. That's all.

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I'm not saying it's not worth it. I'm saying it's not worth it for the guys balling on a budget in south la.

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100% if you live in colder places efi is the way to go. Nice fish. Looks like you have some great trips.

Your my boy Stu!!


Always enjoy your posts!

Great review and nice Northern, I miss livign in the far North for the fishing. I have no doubt where I like EFI is the way to go.

Later
Phil

Good thread POP!

Thanks for posting stu. Good info...

Thanks Stu!!

It's hard on here!!
If you know what I'm talking about.
It's like a Battery!!
You got the Positive Post!!
And then you got the Negative Post!!

Stu - did GD have the EFI put on for you or did you have to take it to PD ???

I ask because GD and PD seem to work well together and just wondered....
Also I heard a few PD EFI equiped GDSDs were seen inside the GD warehouse....

Stu is a legend. He put the EFI kit on himself in Alaska before it was en vogue. Go reread the post, Giga. I think you got so excited that it was a GoDevil that you overlooked the details.

Y'all are acting like a bunch of 20 year olds searching for the meaning of life. Pretty damn spry for 74 year olds. Good for y'all !

Looks like one heck of an adventure!

I like reading your post Stu, gives us another perspective. but your adventures seem so much more than ours. I wish you would write more of your happenings on this trip and post more photos. So we can live through you up there.

Alaska is pretty neat, but I wouldn't trade Louisiana's paradise for it. Still plenty of adventure here.

Hey Stu – how are the skeeters up there this year?

We are getting killed in MN, with all the high water you just cannot be outside around sundown or go into the woods without getting covered with the little beggars.

no doubt. I got chased off the lake getting bit up with bug spray they didnt give a shit. Just standing in the boat and I was breathing em in, I dont think Ive ever seen it this bad. I need more deet i guess.

Nice fish STU great review

Some more pictures

A few more pictures.

Like that last pic - looks like a nice place to wet a line....

That not getting dark thing would be odd for a Texas fellow - although
them full moon nights where you throw a moon shadow do happen here....

I need some more info in that "covered wagon " boat setup you have there! Pretty neat!