4 stroke outboard opinions
- Thread starter ef6efi
- Start date
anonomoose
New member
I haven't owned anything big in size but the smaller ones can't be layed down in the car or truck without leaking...or at least without potentially leaking.
I assume tho you mean big engine machines, and that being the case, about the only negative is the increased weight for the power output.
Otherwise they are every bit as good, and are similar to the issues you find with those in the snowmobile industry. Longer life expectancy, lack of oil being burned, and efficent on fuel use.
I haven't priced any of similar size, but if the price isn't any different, I would look hard at the 4 stroke. If there is a big price difference, then I would probably go with a 2 stroke as they are extremely well made and reliable.
I assume tho you mean big engine machines, and that being the case, about the only negative is the increased weight for the power output.
Otherwise they are every bit as good, and are similar to the issues you find with those in the snowmobile industry. Longer life expectancy, lack of oil being burned, and efficent on fuel use.
I haven't priced any of similar size, but if the price isn't any different, I would look hard at the 4 stroke. If there is a big price difference, then I would probably go with a 2 stroke as they are extremely well made and reliable.
bearrassler
Well-known member
ef6efi, how big of a motor are you talking about. The 2-strokes like you are used to are a thing of the past. The newer 2 strokes, either the Merc Optimax or the Evinrude E-Tec are very clean and fuel efficent motors, and the Merc Verado (150 HP to 300 HP) is a 4-stroke supercharged engines so the take off power is similar to the 2 strokes.Most of the other 4-strokes 25 HP and above are EFI motors and are quiet and easy on gas but the take off power is a little less than the 2 strokes. Give us a little more information and we can give you better answers.
MNBlizzard
New member
Most definitely go four stroke. For me, another two stroke would have to be almost free for me to buy another...I currently have "clean burning" 2005 2 stroke and still miss my 2002 4-stroke. I have only owned Yamaha motors and have always have good luck; I always maintain my equipment though.
I have a Yamaha F115, and the motor is awesome. I Muskie fish into late November, and in the cold my engine always starts right up, idles fine, is quite and fuel efficient. I chuckle when the two strokes are caughing, burping and smoking at the launch when temps are in the teens. Oil and filter changes are easy, and done once a year.
with a 16' aluminum boat, the weight difference might be more pronounced than with a larger/heavier boat. i guess it depends on use, i have an e-tec and love it. if you idle for long periods, the 4 is the way to go (e-tec will idle well for long periods as well). i have a 4 stroke sled and got used to its differences right away so dont be afraid of it. no matter what, it will be an improvement over an older 2s.
Eagle River Mike
Member
We have a Yamaha T60 (4 stroke) on our 20 foot Lowe pontoon boat and absolutely love the motor. The T is the high Thrust version of the F60. Its a 2003 model so ours has carbs. The motor is extremely quite, fuel efficient and reliable. It has not been back to the dealer since the day we bought it and we average about 100 hours a season. I stabil the fuel, change the oil and gear lube and fog it when I put it in storage in the fall and then put new plugs in it in the spring. That's it and it runs as good as day 1. If you want reliability and efficiency, 4 strokes are the way to go.
bearrassler
Well-known member
In the 50 or 60 HP range everything is 4-stroke except the Evinrude E-Tec. You may be able to find a few carryover 2 stroke carbed motors but they are getting hard to find. The weight on the 50-60 4 strokes is not bad, the Mercs weigh about 250 lbs and the Yamahas wiegh about 240. I am not as familiar with the Honda's or Suzuki's but would go with a 4 stroke in that size range. Everyone has brand preference's but they are all good motors, price and dealer service are important.
beancounter1
Member
I have a 2008 Mercury 4-stroke 90hp and I absoultely love it. It is extremely quiet and I can troll down to 1.6-2.0 mph with it. The only downfall is the torque and pull out of the hole is not nearly as strong as the 2-stroke (optimax to compare). The 90 still pushes my 07 Alumacraft Dominator 42 mph on GPS with just me, light fuel, and light load. My neighbor has a 4-stroke Mercury 60 hp and he has no complaints either.
We have a 165 Alumacraft Navigator with a 75 4 stroke Yamaha on it...LOVE IT!!! Quiet, smooth, smokeless, awesome efficiency......need I say more? I would definitely recommend a 4 stroke, and probably at least a 75 for the 16' boat. You'll like the performance, plus going as high as you can in HP on the motor, it'll make resale better when the time comes.
misty_pines
Member
The 4 strokes are real nice, but I recommend researching the direct injected Evinrude e-tec motor also as others had mentioned. My brother's 90 hp e-tec is smooth and basically smoke free. I starts instantly at all temps. I have a carburated Evinrude and like it, but the e-tec is much more efficient and runs and starts a lot better - just like a 4 stroke, but quite a bit lighter. They are relatively maintenence free also. They have an auto fogging procedure for storage, plugs last three years, no oil changes, etc.
You may want to look at the direct injection 2 strokes. I have a 2008 Mercury Optimax 150 and it's almost as quiet as a 4 stroke. It burns hardly any oil at all. I put the tank about full and I'm good for the season. Of course I don't fish with it as much as I would like.
It also doesn't even smell like a typical 2 stroke at all. The oil is sent directly into the cylinder instead of mixing the oil with the gas. Entirely different than the typical 2 stroke. It's probably half the weight and size of a 4 stroke with equivalent HP. I get 7 miles per gallon with my boat at around 3000 rpms.
It also doesn't even smell like a typical 2 stroke at all. The oil is sent directly into the cylinder instead of mixing the oil with the gas. Entirely different than the typical 2 stroke. It's probably half the weight and size of a 4 stroke with equivalent HP. I get 7 miles per gallon with my boat at around 3000 rpms.
shawn_paul
New member
Fourstroke the right way
I see some nice thoughts here guys but in the end being sled heads like myself what does a two stroke do if you idle it too long?? Also no service for three years if you like playing the chance game.... In the end a two stroke is still a two stroke no mater who made it. Take a good look at motorcycles 30 years ago you could buy a two stroke right well what happened? FOURSTROKE!! Most people say fourstrokes are heavy slow ect but in the past few years most of all of the manufactures went to EFI just like our cars. Fastout of the hole and some pending size are even superchaged now. I do this for a living and trust me you want want a foursroke!!! Call me if you need some ideas I've had the two's and the four's and I will stick with the fours. Also do the math example 60 fourstoke oil change every 100 hours or two seasons two stroke DFI Optimax or E-Tec are just like our sleds $40.00 for a gallon of oil twice a year at least vs five quarts and filter every other year??? What would you buy??? give it five years and Ski Doo, Cat and the others will all be fourstoke just a matter of time. We all clean our rave vavles and VES vavles because the DFI oils mess them up think of you outboard parts just saying... Fourstoke ideas
Shawn Paul
(414) 881-2369
I see some nice thoughts here guys but in the end being sled heads like myself what does a two stroke do if you idle it too long?? Also no service for three years if you like playing the chance game.... In the end a two stroke is still a two stroke no mater who made it. Take a good look at motorcycles 30 years ago you could buy a two stroke right well what happened? FOURSTROKE!! Most people say fourstrokes are heavy slow ect but in the past few years most of all of the manufactures went to EFI just like our cars. Fastout of the hole and some pending size are even superchaged now. I do this for a living and trust me you want want a foursroke!!! Call me if you need some ideas I've had the two's and the four's and I will stick with the fours. Also do the math example 60 fourstoke oil change every 100 hours or two seasons two stroke DFI Optimax or E-Tec are just like our sleds $40.00 for a gallon of oil twice a year at least vs five quarts and filter every other year??? What would you buy??? give it five years and Ski Doo, Cat and the others will all be fourstoke just a matter of time. We all clean our rave vavles and VES vavles because the DFI oils mess them up think of you outboard parts just saying... Fourstoke ideas
Shawn Paul
(414) 881-2369
thanks for all the replies, I went two stroke, I got more boat and more motor than I was looking at. was looking at alumacraft classic 165 with a 50 horse yamaha four stroke, I got a new non-current starcraft 1700 starfire with a 90 merc 2 stroke,locator with gps and wireless trolling motor, and cover for $1000.00 less than I would have had in the alumacraft without the cover, now if it would just warm up a little....had my last boat ten years with a 60 merc on it only work ever done was water pump impeller last year.
What year is that motor? Is it the Opti?