6 h.p or 8 h.p 4 stroke

[tav]

just bought this 14' aluminum 140 lb. sea nymph , now i'm looking to get a 4 stroke motor and since i'm the one taking it on and off i want to make sure it's light anough, i was going toward an 8h.p but it' wgt's about 85 lbs but the 6 h.p only wgt's about 65 lb's. now me being 180 lb's and maybe one other person how much performence would i be loosing if i went to a 6 h.p. would i regrete not going with the 8?

 

[iwombat]

Re: 6 h.p or 8 h.p 4 stroke

I had a 9.9 on one years back and was wishing for a 15. I think you'll be not liking the 6.

One other question - why not go with a 2-stroke? Much lighter for the same hp.

 

[Mas]

Re: 6 h.p or 8 h.p 4 stroke

What ever you get, you'll want to make sure it can plane the boat! Can you borrow a friends to test the performance 6 vs 8 vs bigger?

MAS

 

[tav]

Re: 6 h.p or 8 h.p 4 stroke

well i know the 2 strokes are lighter but i don't want to mess with the mixture and be side (not now) but in the future there looking to get rid of the 2 stoke cuz of the pollutants(spelling) going into the lakes and ponds. like i said i'm the only one taking this thig on and off so it has to be atleast 85 lbs or lighter and a 4 stroke so that being said it's toss up ....6 or 8.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 6 h.p or 8 h.p 4 stroke

you need all the power you can handle.

 

[JB]

Re: 6 h.p or 8 h.p 4 stroke

I think you need to choose between having a portable 4 stroke outboard you can easily mount and unmount and a strong enough 4 stroke to plane your boat.

I don't think you can have both. I used a Johnny 9.9 4 stroke on my Boston Whaler 11. She would plane with one passenger but she weighed 110# and my elderly body refused to mess with her.

I think 4 stroke outboards light enough to be considered portable are dreadful, noisy vibrators.

So, that said, I recommend a 2 stroke 9.9.

 

[Rick.]

Re: 6 h.p or 8 h.p 4 stroke

If your OK with the thought of not being able to plane the boat I would go for a six or even a four. With that size motor your only going to be trolling anyway so why not go light. I hate packing my 9.9 as the weight makes it so difficult. Once on the lake it is a great motor for speed and for trolling. My 4HP is an absolute pleasure to pack around and load on the boat but I don't go anywhere in a hurry once on the water. Bottom line ...it's up to you but make sure you know what your intentions for use are before you buy. Rick.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 6 h.p or 8 h.p 4 stroke

Get a 60's J/E 18 or 20hp and you'll fly at only ~77 lbs!

 

[tav]

Re: 6 h.p or 8 h.p 4 stroke

rick your probably right about your point of motors useage and i know i really don't lug 90 lbs up and down , i think i might be ok with a 6 but i'm still pushing toward an 8 but still at 85lbs. thats still on the heavy side. i'm just looking to troll alittle and get to point A to point B not fast but to get there.

 

[Rick.]

Re: 6 h.p or 8 h.p 4 stroke

Any OMC will get you there. (IMO) 85 lbs. is very heavy if your packing it any distance. My 4 HP is 35 lb. although it is a 2 stroke. Another option would be to go to an older 2 stroke 9.5. The weight on it is 60lbs. and will afford you more speed and yet trolls very well I'm told. I haven't had mine in the water yet as I just got it finished and ready to launch this week. I understand your point about mixing gas but it isn't that much of a hassle really. As far as the polution aspect, I believe 2 strokes will be allowed for a long time yet. Rick.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 6 h.p or 8 h.p 4 stroke

I'd go with a 8 for the power and smoother operation.If you have to lug it any distance perhaps you could rig a cart to lay it on like one of those big wheel creepers.If your buying new bring your buddy and test drive both.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 6 h.p or 8 h.p 4 stroke

Wondering how this got in Evinrude/Johnson.As far as I know neither makes a 4 stroke anymore. I did find a Johnson site that listed a 9.9 built by Suzuki.
Seems like you might get more info in one of the brands building 4 strokes.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: 6 h.p or 8 h.p 4 stroke

I'm thinking there's no difference between the weight of a 6hp and 8hp 4-stroke in some brands. Go to some websites and check the weight. I wouldn't dream of toting a 4-stroke motor. And if you don't keep it in the right position, it'll be spewing oil all over the place. Sorry, I'm biased. If you want a light motor, go with a 2-stroke.
JBJ