Are new Outboards huge or what???

[AChotrod]

I have a 95 60hp 2 smoke on my boat and while looking at new boats just for fun I noticed the newer 4s engines are HUGE compared to mine. So big it seems the boat wouldnt support the weight or would at min drop the stern much deeper and raise the Bow a ton. For instance my boat is rated for a 125 but a new 125 4s is so big I would be scared to put one on.

Is this a real problem or am I over thinking it.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Are new Outboards huge or what???

Nope, you're absolutely right AC. While 4-strokes do burn less fuel, they weigh quite a bit more, which can offset the fuel savings and/or hamper performance. That's why so many of us here in the forums try to keep the 2-strokes running as long as possible, especially the vintage models which have excellent power to weight ratios. For example, my old 20hp 2-stoke only weighs about 88lbs, whereas a modern, 4-stroke version would be +100-120lbs. That can make a huge difference on a small hull like my little 14 footer. Of course, many modern motors also have electric start, as well generators and electric trim and tilt all of which add even more weight. There are still a few new 2-strokes being made including Evinrude Etecs, but they're getting harder to find by other manufacturers. A good, late model yamaha 2-stroke is practically worth its weight in gold down here in FL. You routinely see 15-20 year old 30-40 hp Yamis motors going for well over $2,500 and they only last a day (literally) on cragslist and it's not uncommon to see guys buy brand new +$40k skiffs and put a '95 Yami 2-stroke on the back.

 

[bassman284]

Re: Are new Outboards huge or what???

You're over thinking it. A '95 125 hp 2 stroke would also be quite a bit larger than your 60. A new 4 stroke of any horsepower will be about 10% to 15% heavier than a '95 2 stroke of the same hp. For that matter, new 2 strokes like Etec and Optimax weigh pretty close to 4 stroke equivalents. If you stay within the hp rating of your boat you should have no problem.

Full disclosure: not everyone here will agree with me.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Are new Outboards huge or what???

For comparison - Merc Optimax 75 is 375#, Merc 75 4 stroke is 399#. Evinrude 75 E-Tec is 320#. These are new motors with power TnT. A 1985 Merc 75 2 stroke with TNT is 275#. 1992 Evinrude 70 2 stroke with TnT is 250#.

Plus the cowlings are huge compared to the older motors, more sound proofing I guess and stuff crammed under the cowl..

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Are new Outboards huge or what???

I looked at a Merc 60hp 4s and the thing was HUGE compared to mine. Literally it was as tall if not taller than me at 5'10". and the overall size was just much bigger. I don't see it being worth it for even the same HP motor. The 125s were enormous compared to the new 60. Im thinking they wouldn't even fit on my boat.

 

[limitout]

Re: Are new Outboards huge or what???

when I was shopping mid sized 50hp motors I found Honda was the lightest four stroke at 205 lbs. where all the other brands were at 240 lbs. and mercury was 250 lbs..

whats worse in my opinion is the 2 strokes they make now are just as damn heavy only saving you about 15-20 lbs less. coming in at an average of 215-220 lbs.

for me I shopped based on weight alone as it was the most important criteria for a motor for a small light weight boat

in the end I decided to wait for my old motor to die first in the hopes they will "get a clue" and start making these motors lighter.

 

[phillyg]

Re: Are new Outboards huge or what???

................Is this a real problem or am I over thinking it.

The 4-strokes are bigger and heavier, although it appears mfgrs. seem to be doing everything they can to reduce weight. Putting a heavier motor on some boats has been problematic based on posts I've seen here and on other forums. In some cases, folks have had to move batteries forward to keep their cockpit scuppers out of the water.

 

[Vintin]

Re: Are new Outboards huge or what???

Suzuki outboards are usually lighter than Honda but evidently not in the 50hp model. The Tohatsu MD50 (205lbs.)is available in short and long shaft versions and is lighter than the Honda. More companies ought to be making the short shafts available but they don't.

 

[bassman284]

Re: Are new Outboards huge or what???

For comparison - Merc Optimax 75 is 375#, Merc 75 4 stroke is 399#. Evinrude 75 E-Tec is 320#. These are new motors with power TnT. A 1985 Merc 75 2 stroke with TNT is 275#. 1992 Evinrude 70 2 stroke with TnT is 250#.

Plus the cowlings are huge compared to the older motors, more sound proofing I guess and stuff crammed under the cowl..

Yeah, the Mercs have a little weight problem going. The Optimax 75 is the same motor as the Optimax 125 and the 4 stroke 75 is the same motor as the 4 stroke 115 and they are HUGE. A friend of mine bought a new boat rated for 75 hp a few years ago and was planning to go with the Merc 4 stroke until he saw how ginormous it was. He went with the Etec and never looked back.

 

[limitout]

Re: Are new Outboards huge or what???

Suzuki outboards are usually lighter than Honda but evidently not in the 50hp model. The Tohatsu MD50 (205lbs.)is available in short and long shaft versions and is lighter than the Honda. More companies ought to be making the short shafts available but they don't.

yes but the tohatsu is a 2 stroke

as for short shafts, they have them but most transoms are for long shafts so there isn't much demand

 

[Vintin]

Re: Are new Outboards huge or what???

I didn't see short shaft listed for the Honda, Suzuki or Evinrude 50hps.

 

[limitout]

Re: Are new Outboards huge or what???

I didn't see short shaft listed for the Honda, Suzuki or Evinrude 50hps.

its not spelled out but look in the specs sheet and X= short shaft and L= long shaft for Honda

now for Suzuki and evinrude it appears your right, I don't see any notes about short shaft models in the mid sized motors

 

[matt167]

Re: Are new Outboards huge or what???

Merc 40hp is the largest short shaft 4 stroke available. Honda's largest is 30hp and IIRC Zukie is the same... Tohatsu MD50 is the highest hp short shaft available right now but it is a 2 stroke

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Are new Outboards huge or what???



It is not just the newer engines. here is a 30 year old Chrysler 60 that has power tilt and weighs around 200 pounds, maybe a little more. Hey--you want electric start, power tilt/trim and all the goodies, you pay for it in weight.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Are new Outboards huge or what???

That Chrysler looks huge because the boat is so small. And Chrysler stylists thought dorm fridges had the ideal shape. eep:
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I like the look of Chryslers.

 

[nwcove]

Re: Are new Outboards huge or what???

That Chrysler looks huge because the boat is so small. And Chrysler stylists thought dorm fridges had the ideal shape. eep:
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I like the look of Chryslers.

opcorn:

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Are new Outboards huge or what???

Lol Im keeping my 60 as I see no need for anything bigger at the moment. I was just thinking if I did want(or could afford) a new 125 it would sink my boat or look like I was doing a wheelie sitting still.

 

[limitout]

Re: Are new Outboards huge or what???

Lol Im keeping my 60 as I see no need for anything bigger at the moment. I was just thinking if I did want(or could afford) a new 125 it would sink my boat or look like I was doing a wheelie sitting still.

I hear ya lol, but you should definitely look around hard and there are still a few 2 stroke Yamaha 90hp out there that aren't full of pollution controls and are not heavy like the new motors. they stopped selling new ones back in 2008 but there are still some new in the crate in warehouses around the country and its the last "new" motor made like the old ones without all that size and weight.

im still looking for a Yamaha 50hp PT&T version but they are harder to find in overstocked warehouses still brand new because thy are so popular. one of these is the only option left today for a truly light weight replacement motor

 

[robert graham]

Re: Are new Outboards huge or what???

yep,the new 4strokes are bigger, heavier, more complex, more pumps/filters/parts to plug up/stop working/need replacement, etc.etc....I'll keep my old Yamaha 1999 90C 2 stroke 268 lb. motor as long as I can keep it running....and so far, no problems at all....I burn through a good bit of gas, and make some white smoke on start up, but otherwise I just don't see the overall "progress" in the new motors!....Now my yuppie son and my nephew both run Yamaha 115 4 strokes and they think they're the greatest things since sliced bread!....Just old thinking here....heck, I'm still driving my 350 LT-1 V8 Buick Roadmaster!....the geezer....

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Are new Outboards huge or what???

Lol I have a Lt1 powered car also. Love it and wouldnt change it for a LS1. Then again it makes more power than most LS1s