225hp 2-stroke VS 300hp 4-stoke? Pro's and Con's?

[cobbcfi]

I am looking for some insight into the Pro's and Con's of swithing out my motor this winter. I currently am running a 225 Johnson Oceanrunner and am wanting to up-grade. Max HP for my boat is 300hp and being a typical male, I want the biggest I can get.

What are the Pro's and Con's concerning:
Fuel consumption (100 gallon fuel tank)
Speed
Reliability
Cruise fuel burn comparison
Added weight roughly
225hp 2-stroke 450lbs
300hp 4-stroke 560lbs
Othercomparisons?

I don't do a lot of booze cruises or wake boarding with my boat. Usually straight through the jetties with a boat full of rods, tackle, bait, beer and friends.

Thanks for any input.

P.S. Y'all already talked me out of switching to smaller twin engine setup.. ;-)

 

[Haffiman]

Re: 225hp 2-stroke VS 300hp 4-stoke? Pro's and Con's?

If you are after the raw power, nothing beats the 2-strokes. E-Tech or Optimax -your choice!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 225hp 2-stroke VS 300hp 4-stoke? Pro's and Con's?

Search the forums for Philster and look at his new toy with the 300 merc. He seems very pleased. His boat will go into the 70's w/o problem.

 

[boobie]

Re: 225hp 2-stroke VS 300hp 4-stoke? Pro's and Con's?

Less moving parts means less to break. Think about it.

 

[cobbcfi]

Re: 225hp 2-stroke VS 300hp 4-stoke? Pro's and Con's?

2 very valid points and I agree and have loved my 2-stoke for 8 years, but it's fuel burn on a 100 gallon tank has become a nuisance and this economy isn't helping.. I just am thinking, and I know the 2-stoke is much stronger for a given RPM although most of my time is low speed trolling, no-wake zones and docking.. Maybe 30% of my time is at cruise minus WOT to get it up on plane.. Just trying to justify buying a reliable quiet 4-stoke as opposed to nursing a 16 year old motor back to health..

 

[Haffiman]

Re: 225hp 2-stroke VS 300hp 4-stoke? Pro's and Con's?

The new DI 2-strokes (E-Tech/Optimax) are equal to and in some cases even better than the 4-strokes when it comes to fuel economy!
Less weight at the transom: Lower planning speed, less wake. You use the power to push the boat and not create the wake.
Low end torque for hole-shot another advantage for the 2-stroke.
The only area where the 4-stroke might be in advantage is if you go trolling for hours at idle rpm. Less smoke, quieter and perhaps slightly less consumption.

 

[aerobat]

Re: 225hp 2-stroke VS 300hp 4-stoke? Pro's and Con's?

Max HP for my boat is 300hp and being a typical male, I want the biggest I can get.

history shows that such way of thinking usually shows up a short stroke on the piston

when you want to go to the edge and finance is not a problem get an 300 etec and your wife may nevertheless be happy !

happy boating !