Re: 2 or 4 stroke 9.9
Weight- 2stroke is lighter
Noise-2 stroke is louder although my 86 johnson 9.9 is really quiet compared to my old 9.5
Ease of maintenance- Might get some arguements here but 2 strokes are amazingly simple machines. No valves, no motor oil, or oil pumps, no internal adjustments needed.
Price-You could find a really nice 9.9 2 stroke for under 6-700.
Trolling-4 strokes dont load up like 2's they can troll all day long with no ill effects.
A 2 will be quicker to plane but top speed will be the same.
I've heard alot of complaints about the smaller 4's. Not in the way they run but they are alot of moving parts they have to stuff in a small package that complicates things a bit.
What is the current status of any 2 stroke bans where you live? Alot of places are beginning to outlaw the 2's. If that was the case where I lived or fished, or I expected it in the next 5-10 years I'd go with a 4.
It's a tough decision. I would probably stick with a 2 for simplicity and price, but I sure like the smoothness and quiet of the newer 4's
