4 stroke opinions

[apb]

Hey all,<br /><br />Have been toying with the idea of a 4-stroke for my boat (16.5 foot Carolina Skiff). I know several companies make 4 strokes. What would be a your first choice and why? Boat is rated for a max of 60 hp, so I'm looking at something in the 40-60 hp range. I do a lot of trolling with the main motor, so one that runs well at slow speeds (1.5-4 mph) would be a plus. I currently use a trolling plate to slow my 40 hp Johnson down when needed. Thanks in advance,<br /><br />Andrew

 

[FlyBoyMark]

Re: 4 stroke opinions

Mercury..'cause its mostly American made and parts are everywhere and make sure you get 3 yr. warranty. Aside from that they are all 'bout equal. Merc 2 cycle Optimax would be nice if they made them that small..........

 

[JB]

Re: 4 stroke opinions

Howdy, APB.<br /><br />Get an EFI 4 stroke. At 60hp or less there are three:<br /><br />Merc EFI 60 (Merc's first attempt to build a 4 stroke)<br /><br />Johnson/Suzuki DF60 (too heavy at 350#)<br /><br />Johnson/Suzuki DF50, My choice because Suzuki has vast experience designing and building EFI 4 strokes and Bombardier has Johnson dealers everywhere. <br /><br />I have Suzi DF70 and it is pure magic compared to any other 70 I have seen.

 

[trevorcday]

Re: 4 stroke opinions

The merc 40/50/60 efi 4-strokes are really great working motors. They work well for trolling which they will do all day without complaint. You may need to keep your trolling plate to get below 2 mph. The fuel efficiency is great compared to a 2-stroke especially at part throttle and a trolling speeds. In the mid-size motors the weight penalty is not really all that significant either. Although they make the same max. power as a comparable size 2-stroke they do have less low end torque so the hole shot is generally slower with a 4-stroke.

 

[Frank Martin]

Re: 4 stroke opinions

Honda. these things are unbelivable. i have been a johny/rude man for years .i am ashamed to say why cant the american marine industry make them as good. honda has been making 4 stroke the longest they never made a two stroke ob. all the others where saying the 4 strokes where too heavy now they dont want to talk about weight because the hondas are light and there just like there lawn mowers motor cycles ,cars just darn dependable

 

[BBogey]

Re: 4 stroke opinions

No problems with my Merc EFI 60HP yet?

 

[apb]

Re: 4 stroke opinions

Many thanks for the quick responces guys. Will have to stop by the showrooms and check some of these options out in person. Then its save the pennies time.<br /><br />Andrew

 

[JS2]

Re: 4 stroke opinions

You better read the latest issue of "Powerboat Reports" before you buy a Honda. They finally explain that the Honda 225 4-stroke uses an interference engine. That means your powerhead is history if the timing belt snaps. I believe most if not all Honda 4-stroke O/Bs use a timing belt instead of a more durable timing chain. This doesn't say much for Honda "engineering".

 

[DJ]

Re: 4 stroke opinions

And that timing belt is UNDER the powerhead. Powerhead removal required for service.<br /><br />That still wouldn't stop me from buying one.

 

[DP]

Re: 4 stroke opinions

Not realy a fair comparison with the new Merc 4 stroke EFI 50 but I have 3 years on my 1999 Merc 4 stroke carburated 50 which is an entirely differnt motor (Yamaha power head) but it hasn't burped once. I would expect that the new Merc would be even more efficient due to the EFI.

 

[hondon]

Re: 4 stroke opinions

That timing belt is not under the powerhead of any Honda outboard or any other for that matter.Most 4 strokes have to run interfereance valves .That is the nature of overhead cams ,which they all currently use.If that belt breaks it will cause you the same catastrophe no matter what you buy but belt failures are very rare.Shop your local dealers and find the one that you are most trustworthy of. Ask about the techs time on the job and the experiece with the product you are thinking of buying.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: 4 stroke opinions

Andrew, you might find it useful to know that ALL of the 4 stroke motors sold in the US are made in Japan. Tohatsu sells under their own name, as well as Nissan and Mercury. All identical motors, just different paint. OMC (Bombadier) sells Suzuki 4C motors, Honda sells under their own name. In the case of Tohatsu, buying that brand is least expensive, Nissan a little more and Merc a bunch more. Yamaha also sells under their own name. My preference would be Tohatsu or Suzuki, but all seems to be solid motors.<br />Good luck.

 

[trevorcday]

Re: 4 stroke opinions

Starting with 2001 model year the merc 30/40/50/60 HP 4-strokes are all made in the US. Earlier models had powerheads by Yamaha. Tohatsu builds most of the 1 cylinder 2 and 4-stroke outboards for the mainstream manufacturers including Mercury. I don't know how well represented Tohatsu is in other parts of the world but here they are nonexistant. Parts and service would be a definate concern for me unless you were buying a little 1 cylinder where you could get parts from a Merc, Johnson or Yamaha dealer.

 

[JS2]

Re: 4 stroke opinions

Any 4 stroke engine that is properly engineered does not have to be an interference engine. I have owned numerous cars which had timing belts but did not have an interference engine. I found out the hard way when the timing belt snapped prematurely on some of those vehicles that belts don't always last as long as the manufacturer claims. Fortunately, I never suffered any engine damage.

 

[Jacques321]

Re: 4 stroke opinions

I'll go along with JB with re: to his point on purchasing a fuel injected 4-Str.OB.<br /><br />It just wouldn't make sense to buy a carbureted 4 str.OB if you can get a fuel injected one for the same price. If you find the fuel inj. models such as the new Mercs and Suzuki's too expensive or not to your liking, go with a carbureted model with a good reputation, such as Yamaha or Honda.<br /><br />Honda & Yamaha carry very good reputations in this area. For outright power go with a Yamaha, you won't be dissappointed. For reliability and longevity Honda is the obvious choice.<br /><br />Good luck and enjoy your new 4 stroke OB.

 

[Frank Martin]

Re: 4 stroke opinions

the new honda outboard v6 is the exact same motor used in the honda acord lx and the odasy van since 1991 mega miles of testing ask anyone that owns one . time will tell the story on the rest of the new motors .consumer reports rates these used vehicles at the top for reliability i expect time will tell the same story about the honda outboards