2 or 4 stroke?

[fuzzeywiggler]

Im about to purchase a new (to me) motor. And I don't know what way to go 2 or 4 stroke? What do you think?

Thanks Fuzzey

 

[JB]

Re: 2 or 4 stroke?

Each has its advantages, Fuzzey.

What are your priorities?

 

[fuzzeywiggler]

Re: 2 or 4 stroke?

Yeah sorry I should have said them before. It will be a fishing motor that I will use for trolling as well as getting to the ol'fishin hole. In the range of 20hp-40hp. Cost of gas is a factor if gas goes up into 1.4/L this summer. O yeah its a 14' F/G boat. Im looking for a rotary steer as well.

Thanks Fuzzey

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 2 or 4 stroke?

As said each one has it's own virtues. 4 stroke is heavier, 2 stroke I believe is peppier out of the hole. There are many threads out here on the same subject. You may want to do a search on it.

 

[fuzzeywiggler]

Re: 2 or 4 stroke?

Yea I have read a bunch but im not sure what the difference for fishing may be. what im looking for is a reliable motor that I can troll low rpm's with. Any suggestions on motors?

Thanks Fuzzey

 

[JB]

Re: 2 or 4 stroke?

Well, in that power range there is no E-tec and most of the 4 strokes are carbureted.

At least one exception is the Suzuki DF40, which is an EFI 4 stroke. Kinda heavy for a 40hp, but extremely user friendly, very quiet and very fuel efficient. Trolls for hours without a sound or a hiccup.

Down in the 20-30hp range I have heard a lot of good things about the 4 stroke Hondas, but have no personal experience with them..

Being a technophile I would go for the Suzi EFI 4 stroke or for a lightly used JohnnyRude 2 stroke 40.

 

[fuzzeywiggler]

Re: 2 or 4 stroke?

Hey great info on suzuki and honda's ill be looking into prices. I have found a 64' evinrude bigtwin 40hp what do you think about it?

thanks Fuzzey

 

[F_R]

Re: 2 or 4 stroke?

Great motor. But not exactly an all-day slow-troller. And a completely different animal than the 4-strokes under discussion. Expect it to use considerably more gas than a 4-stroke, especially at idle speeds.

 

[fuzzeywiggler]

Re: 2 or 4 stroke?

Ahh thats to bad the johnson is outa the picture then . I havent heard anything about yamaha any reason?

Thanks Fuzzey

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: 2 or 4 stroke?

Take a look at the Tohatsu/Nissan/Mercury in the 25-30 range as theirs is EFI. In the 40 range I would suggest either the Evinrude or the Tohatsu/Nissan as both will troll witout loading up.

 

[frankie g]

Re: 2 or 4 stroke?

I'm a 2 stroke person...less parts to go wrong, cheaper maint. lighter, and less expensive.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 2 or 4 stroke?

Great motor. But not exactly an all-day slow-troller. And a completely different animal than the 4-strokes under discussion. Expect it to use considerably more gas than a 4-stroke, especially at idle speeds.

Not so. A properly set-up 40hp OMC of that vintage will troll slowly very nicely. Once you've figured out the low speed setting, they'll slow down and tick over at quite low rpms.

You may, however, need one heat range higher plug than the standard Champion to prevent fouling, and that engine's not real economical on fuel trolling, but she'll do it all day long. I know because I've trolled all day with one.

 

[Bass Man Bruce]

Re: 2 or 4 stroke?

Ahoy Fuzzeywiggler.
I have a fifty horse Evenrude E-tec with three full seasons on it. I love it.
I had the same concerns as you at purchase and the dealer reccomended it due to slow idle rpm. (600)
I troll for hours at a time and there is no concern with fouling plugs or loading up.
The e-tec 40 - 50 - and 60 horse are all the same motor. If you lean this way get the biggest one your boat is rated for.
Whatever brand you buy make sure the dealer is up to snuff on all the latest tech issues.
My brother has a forty horse Johnson 4 stroke (made by Suzuki). He loves it.
Good luck and good fishing.

 

[JB]

Re: 2 or 4 stroke?

The JohnnyRude 40 I had in mind is the later looper, Fuzzey. One of the great 2 stroke engines around, but for trolling I think you would prefer the EFI 4 stroke. I still like the Suzi DF40/Johnson 4 stroke 40 (same engine, different paint).

 

[F_R]

Re: 2 or 4 stroke?

Not so. A properly set-up 40hp OMC of that vintage will troll slowly very nicely. Once you've figured out the low speed setting, they'll slow down and tick over at quite low rpms.

You may, however, need one heat range higher plug than the standard Champion to prevent fouling, and that engine's not real economical on fuel trolling, but she'll do it all day long. I know because I've trolled all day with one.

You misunderstand what I was trying to say (poorly). Yes, a 40 will tick them off at idle all day. When I said slow, I meant slow boat speed, not engine speed. A big 12 or 13 inch prop is going to push the boat a lot faster than a little 7 or 8 inch at the same slow RPM. If you want a slow boat speed, you need a small motor. Or a big boat that is hard to push. Or drag something.

 

[fuzzeywiggler]

Re: 2 or 4 stroke?

Alright great advise. I have looked into it some more and I am interested in the newer hondas they seem to be very reliable (many charter boat have em) and lighter on gas. I plan to have the motor for many years to come and a new honda will probably give me the longevity and gas efficiency I need as gas prices go up.

Thanks Fuzzey

 

[jamesdeanj]

Re: 2 or 4 stroke?

I was just talking with a Mercury tech yesterday about this and he said that 4 strokes require much more maintenance. Sales never tells you this because they want you coming back for service down the road.

 

[frankie g]

Re: 2 or 4 stroke?

I was just talking with a Mercury tech yesterday about this and he said that 4 strokes require much more maintenance. Sales never tells you this because they want you coming back for service down the road.

many more parts to a 4 stroke, and much more adjustments, and maint. and not much quitier than a 2 stroke except at idle speeds, and the gas savings is eaten up by the service...maybe more....and the cost is substantly a good deal higher! JMO.

 

[JB]

Re: 2 or 4 stroke?

Spoken just like a guy that never ran one, frankie.

If the only reasons you can give for choosing a 2 stroke are all the bashes about 4 strokes you don't like 2 strokes enough.

 

[fuzzeywiggler]

Re: 2 or 4 stroke?

I originally wanted a two stoke don't get me wrong. But for what im looking to do which is troll all day or if im fishing drifts start up eaisily and be low on gas. So for my needs a 4 stroke seems to fit better. The repair I can do myself with a good manuel so that will save money from thoes greedy dealers and im not looking to buy new so, a warrenty being voided isn't an issue.

Thanks Fuzzey