4 Stroke Question

[TommyD11730]

Hey Guys

When I had my 18' Foot Mariner it was powered by a Rude' 88 SPL 2 stroke. Had pretty decent speed for a "tin can" as my bud's used to call it.

Have started to fish a inlet thats basically 4 stroke country. By that I mean to say I need the reliability and QUIET a 4 stroke delivers.

Do you fellows think I can get away with say a 4 stroke on the 60 HP size on a 18' Starcraft Mariner?

Thanks!

Tommy D

 

[fshngho]

Re: 4 Stroke Question

Get away with it? Sure. Obviously it depends on how many people, how much gear, etc you will carry. By yourself it shouldn't be a problem and of coarse it would not be a speed boat. Some guys have a 40 hp on theirs. Good Luck

 

[TommyD11730]

Re: 4 Stroke Question

2 People Max.

Light Gear. What we need is a engine that starts up EVERY time reliably. You don't want to be swept into the breakwater in about any size boat. Especially at night when few are on the water.

I have been amazed at my pals 4 stroke. I have yet to hear it cough, pop, fart, stall ect...

You can say Im sold on them.... till I experienced sticker shock!

 

[Bob Gilvary]

Re: 4 Stroke Question

It's all in the maintenace of your engine and keeping the fuel right.

Do nothing and let it set for a few months and you'll be experiencing all the problems of a two stroke that's not taken care of.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 4 Stroke Question

When I was on vacation I was standing out on the balcony of the third floor condo we rented overlooking a canal. I was watching a fisherman prepare his boat to go out. He had what looked like a 100-150HP Yamaha 4-stroke on it. As he was about to leave I was listening for him to start the motor. Never heard it. I saw the boat backing out and starting up the canal. Never heard a thing until he was just past me. I was SOLD right there as well.

For your boat I think the smallest 4stroke I'd consider would be a 70 or so.

 

[fshngho]

Re: 4 Stroke Question

Bob is right Tommy. Any engine can run good/bad depending on how you maintain it. Even new engines mess up.
1. Maintain engine
2. Run Good gas with proper fuel mixture- use water seperator
3. Have good anchors available
4. Install kicker engine (see #1.)

 

[barato]

Re: 4 Stroke Question

to add to Fishngho's list there....

DRAIN CARBS after every trip. old gas turns to nasty varnish that in severe cases acts like JB Weld in terms of gumming up the works, and it builds up around carb jets which effectively reduces the jet size. crud in carbs making it run lean, esp at idle, is probably the #1 reason for hard/no start problems on any outboard, 2 or 4 stroke.

and add fuel stabilizer to your tank if it will be more than a month or so before you next run engine.

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: 4 Stroke Question

If you are buying new I would go with a evinrude e-tec, I have seen these engine idle in the harbor and they are just as quite no smoke as a 4 stroke.
Less parts and really look like a good engine. No oil changes. No break in, no anything for 3 years.

 

[barato]

Re: 4 Stroke Question

the only thing that puts me off on ETECs is that they are actually HEAVIER than comparable 4 strokes....look at their own website, where you can compare to other motors. plus i've worked on a bunch of motorcycles and my Honda 4 stroke OBs are just like em....the 2hp looks to be straight off my CT110....whereas the direct injection 2 strokes are new to me.

after spending much of yesterday working on 4 of my OBs ('rude, Farce, and 2 hondas), the Hondas are head and shoulders above the others engineering wise.....even the carbs are designed to be easy to remove and clean. i'm going to look real hard at a honda when it's time to replace the ancient 40hp Johnny on my tin skiff

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: 4 Stroke Question

I can't disagree on a honda, every honda from cars, generators, outboards are normally good. I see alot of honda and yahama outboards on the oregon coast. A few e-tecs, few mercury, but lots of yahama's and honda's both small 8hp to 200hp. Talked to a guy a few days ago with a 23' alum boat with a 200hp honda with 1300hrs on it, he mentioned no problems.
I know the e-tec's are heavier or about the same weight, does not make sense in a 2 stroke. I know in the 15hp range an old 2 stroke would out run the 4 stroke.

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: 4 Stroke Question

If weight is no problem go for it. Very quiet and no gas to mix. It is however extremely heaver than a 2 stroke. My 9.9 4 stroke on my 22 Holiday is almost as heavy as the 2 stroke 50 hp on my 16 SS.

 

[barato]

Re: 4 Stroke Question

how true on the weight difference. my 8hp 2stroke Rude twin weighs 56 lbs, my 7.5 honda twin weighs 85. and the 8hp feels like it has a lot more midrange oooomph.