4 Stroke Upgrade?

[Seon]

I have an aluminum center console 19.5 Lowe boat that current has a VRO 110 hp Johnson that runs great. I use it exculsively trolling 2-5 mph for Stripers. The problem is the oil/gas fumes gets to the wife so I suggested that I upgrade the motor to a 4 stroke which she agreed .
The boat motor capacity is 120 hp. Of all the major brand motor out there, which would be the best for my application?

BTW please don't beat me up about why I should keep the 2 stroke motor. I really would like recommendations to which 4 stroke motor I should consider .

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: 4 Stroke Upgrade?

No recommendations, but I would first find out the weight of the current motor and not go too far over that weight for the replacement. 4-strokes can be considerably heavier than their 2-stroke counterpart.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 4 Stroke Upgrade?

No question the 4 stroke is a fine motor beautiful for trolling guiet efficient.
Top speed will be close to your 2 strike hole shot may lag behind.
I have to say please take a close look at the Evindude Etec.It's emissions are better than most 4 strokes, fewer less complicated service intervals.
better hole shot and compareable efficiency.It can't "make oil"in extended low speed operation.If you insist on the 4 stroke get the most hp yje boat will allow.If your present 2 stroke is setup right you probably happy with the 4 stroke hole shot.Your 110 is about 295lbs,a Yamaha 115 4 stroke is 401,
the Etec is 375. with a better hole shot.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 4 Stroke Upgrade?

i like Yamaha 115, personally.

 

[mthieme]

Re: 4 Stroke Upgrade?

There are a lot of Yammies on my creek.
My poll indicates Johnson/Evinrude is the most popular with Mercury right behind.
I think anything will give you good service if taken care of.
I'd investigate what local dealers/shops are going to stand behind it.
Not familiar with pricing which is always a concern.

 

[JB]

Re: 4 Stroke Upgrade?

Yamaha and Suzuki 115 4 strokes are both fine outboards. Both weigh about 100# more than your V4 2 stroke.

If you are looking for a slightly used one, the Johnson 115 4 Stroke was/is the same engine as the Suzuki and the controls, etc. are probably compatible with your Johnny, depending on the year. That would save you a bunch of bux.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 4 Stroke Upgrade?

agree with JB.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: 4 Stroke Upgrade?

Or buy a small 4S kicker like most people do for trolling, saves a bunch of money and is about the same weight gain. Then if you ever have an issue with the big motor there's a backup.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: 4 Stroke Upgrade?

Duplicate post.

 

[Seon]

Re: 4 Stroke Upgrade?

Thanks for all your replies.
Another reason for a 4 stroke is that I'd like to boat in Lake Tahoe and was told that only 4 strokes allowed :redface:.

As for a kicker, as you can see below, I don't have much space to hang one and if I did, by the time I get all the extras needed to put one on & connected to the main motor, it wouldn't be cost affective...plus I'd still have a 20 yr old 2 stroke motor.

I see in Craigslist a Mercury Mariner 115 4 stoke for sale. Is that Mariner brand a lower quality than a regular Mercury or is it the same motor?

BTW keep your comments coming. I'm learning a lot

 

[reelfishin]

Re: 4 Stroke Upgrade?

From what I've seen most Mariner motors are just re-badged Mercury motors. Most likely it was just a way to add to their market coverage, (IE: A way to have two dealers side by side selling their product). They stopped selling the Mariner brand name here, it's only used elsewhere now.
I've owned both, no problems with either.
There will be a weight increase whether you add a kicker or change to a four stroke, the latter will most likely be a bit lighter since you won't need to add the extra controls, tank, linkage, etc.
The big seller around here is the Yamaha, mostly due to availability and cost.
If your going to gain some weight, go with the highest hp rating in a particular motor type within your hp limit. the more hp you add for a given weight the better you will like the results. Cost difference will be minimal.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: 4 Stroke Upgrade?

The lake restriction is the deciding factor and deal killer on a kicker, the other concerns aren't that big of a deal.

There's more than enough room and the cost of connecting the two is $50.00, if you add other controls it'll go up a little more. I have a 19' CC with a 200hp Evinrude and I use one of three small motors on it 6hp, 8hp and 9.9HP, it works well with each one, but the 6 is too small for faster trolling or rougher water.

The cost of a 4S like the Yamaha T8 (8HP high thrust) with PT&T and electric start new is about $2,500 other brands are less, let?s say that you add another $500 for other items and you're at $3,000 and you added about 125 lbs with everything.

A new 115 or 120 is going to be around $10,000 ( I haven't looked recently at the cost, so it could be different) then add rigging it, plus gauges and controls. The weight gain will be similar to that of the kicker so there's no advantage there.

Don't get me wrong either option works and if where you plan to boat won't allow your current main motor you don't have a choice, or if what you really want is a new main motor then go for. The reason a I went with the kicker option is you said the main motor ran great and there was no mention of it's age (20 years isn't that old for that motor though) so it sounded like there was no real need to replace it other than the fumes.

Here in the North West virtually every fishing boat has a kicker for trolling, few use the main motor although many of the bigger new engines will troll pretty well these days. The kicker allows for more speed control, less fuel usage, quieter operation, a back up for getting home and puts less hours on a very expensive main motor.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 4 Stroke Upgrade?

Thanks for all your replies.
Another reason for a 4 stroke is that I'd like to boat in Lake Tahoe and was told that only 4 strokes allowed :redface:.

As for a kicker, as you can see below, I don't have much space to hang one and if I did, by the time I get all the extras needed to put one on & connected to the main motor, it wouldn't be cost affective...plus I'd still have a 20 yr old 2 stroke motor.

I see in Craigslist a Mercury Mariner 115 4 stoke for sale. Is that Mariner brand a lower quality than a regular Mercury or is it the same motor?

BTW keep your comments coming. I'm learning a lot

First as I understand it 2 strokes are not banned but motors that don't meet
enviromental standards which un fortunately is most 2 strokes.
The Etec exceeds those standards and most 4 strokes as well, and is allowed on Tahoe.Mariner is a seperate motor, ok motor but discontinude.

 

[sschefer]

Re: 4 Stroke Upgrade?

It's my understanding that the Evenrude E-Tec's are legal on lake Tahoe. The patrols on the lake use them now acording to Evenrudes latest Video. I'm trying to decide between a 150 Yamaha and a 150 Merc Verado. I'm a little shy about the Yamaha because I am starting to see fairly new ones popping up for sale all over. My engine mechanic has a 150 Yamaha for 6250.00 that came in overheated. It's been fully repaired back to factory specs and has two years of factory warranty left on it. I could give you his number if you want. He's in Northern California.

By the way, rumor has it that you can get away with a little more weight if you run a jack plate with a 4" offset. I've never done but I am considering it.

 

[Seon]

Re: 4 Stroke Upgrade?

... My engine mechanic has a 150 Yamaha for 6250.00 ... I could give you his number if you want. He's in Northern California.

Thanks for the offer but what my thoughts are to find an older boat that's been re-powered with a late model 4 stroke that's for sale. Buy the boat, then I can swap out the motors and re-sell the boat with my Johnson 110 hp on it. This way I won't take such a big hit financially. For example, in Craigslist was an ad for a '93 19' boat with an '02 115 hp 4 stroke Mariner with low hours for $8500. I'm retired, have the time, garage and tools but limited dineros .

 

[ebry710]

Re: 4 Stroke Upgrade?

Thanks for the offer but what my thoughts are to find an older boat that's been re-powered with a late model 4 stroke that's for sale. Buy the boat, then I can swap out the motors and re-sell the boat with my Johnson 110 hp on it. This way I won't take such a big hit financially. For example, in Craigslist was an ad for a '93 19' boat with an '02 115 hp 4 stroke Mariner with low hours for $8500. I'm retired, have the time, garage and tools but limited dineros .

I cannot say I blame you. I have been tempted to do the same thing. My research has me at Honda or Suzuki. The Honda runs that little Civic engine, can't go wrong with that. People swear by Suzuki.

But lets face it, on a second had motor, the deal makes the choice. I have never read that any resent four stroke outboard "sucked". Except for the Honda haters who hate Honda's no matter how good they are.

 

[sschefer]

Re: 4 Stroke Upgrade?

Sounds like a great plan. Don't fret the dinero thing. You own a boat and you're always broke. That's just the way it is.

They say the definition of insanity is doing something exactly the same each time and expecting different results. I own two boats does that mean I'm insane. You betcha!