Re: 4 cycle vs 2 cycle outboards
4vs2cycles wrote, <br />I have to repower my 2350WA Pursuit (1987). <br /><br />This is 23-24 feet (around 7 meters) long boat I suppose?<br />Weight (without outboards)?<br /><br /> Currently is runs with 2-120hp '86 evinrudes. <br />Do they have enough torque at the RPM/speed You prefer to use them?<br />Total weight of these to outboards?<br /><br /> I am exploring the possibility of installing 2 4 cycle outboards with lower HP, say 90-100hp. <br /><br />Save $ - compared to say 115 hp, yes You will probably do so.<br />Save weight - Some but not much, it is marginal weightdiffrence between 90 up to 115 hp outboards 4-stroke (Yamaha, Suzuki/Johnson, Mercury).<br /><br /> I do offshore fishing so I do not need high speed but I do net torque to stay on plane when cruisin in large swells.<br /> <br />I guess it is better to stay in upper end scale like 100 hp to 115 hp considering Your boat is rather large. I think two 90 hp might not be enough and You might be disappointed with the performance. It is almost always better to have some more hp than needed - better to have a comfortable cruise speed at lower RPM (quiter, often less fuel consumption compared to lower hp).<br /><br /> I assumed that the 4 cycles would have more torque thus matching my need with lower hp.<br /> <br />Yes, and no - there are new 2-strokes that match many 4-strokes regarding torque. For example Mercury latest Optimax 115 is as good as their 115 EFI 4-stroke (what I have read in a test).<br />I do not know how their Optimax 90 and 90 4-stroke(non EFI) compare.<br /><br /> Any ideas? <br /><br />Well You have many outboards to take into consideration:<br /><br /> Yamaha 4-strokes: <br />F90, (F100) - both carburators, F115 (EFI).<br />Note: I do not think Yamaha make F100 anymore.<br /><br /> Suzuki/Johnson 4-strokes: <br />DF90, DF115 - both EFI.<br /><br /> Mercury 4-strokes: <br />90(non EFI), 115 EFI.<br /><br />Not much weight diffrence between them, really.<br />If You think 90 hp is enough (but I doubt some) and You want EFI (no carburators) You have to select Suzuki/Johnson DF90 since they are the only manufacturer that use EFI in 90 hp class of 4-strokes.<br />In the 115 hp class all above manufacturer have EFI outboards.<br /><br />Also the Evinrude E-tech 90 hp 2-stroke could perhaps be an outboard to have a closer look at, but as I said I think two 90 hp will not really be enough for Your boat.<br /><br />Personally I would prepare to think along the lines of two 115 hp 4-strokes. Or perhaps one large 4-stroke (like Yamaha F150 or F220/225, probably 220/225 better for Your large boat) and a smaller 4-stroke for safety/trolling.<br /><br />Maybe post a picture of your boat and post some more specifications of the boat and present outboards.<br /><br />I use a singel Yamaha F115 (2003) myself on a 19' bowrider boat and so far I like this outboard (used Suzuki before).<br /><br />/Bo
