cant decide 2 stroke or 4 stroke

[The Man 5150]

OK I don't want to open a big can of worms here but I am looking at getting a new boat next year so I need some help and advice. What engine type would be best on an aluminum fishing boat like the Tracker Pro - Guide 16WT . I have a choice of either a mercury Optimax or the mercury fourstroke. I will be getting either the 75hp or 90hp. Now according to the mercury web site the opti max is 24lbs lighter than the four stroke. I would like to hear from you all about your experiences and the pros and cons that you all might have on them. Thanks

 

[dt5150]

Re: cant decide 2 stroke or 4 stroke

never owned an opti, but i'm thrilled with my 4 stroke merc. mine's the 60hp efi. love it.... runs like a top, sips gas, and it's crazy how quiet it is. torque is great too.

 

[The Man 5150]

Re: cant decide 2 stroke or 4 stroke

What size boat do you have?

 

[dt5150]

Re: cant decide 2 stroke or 4 stroke

2010 pro guide v16 sc.

 

[taviking22]

Re: cant decide 2 stroke or 4 stroke

I have a 2 stroke 50 HP Mercury on my 2008 Pro Guide V16 SC. The thing that impresses me the most is that it gets great fuel "mileage" and is virtually free of any visual exhaust smoke except on days when the air temp is below 40?. Once the motor is up to operating temps the smoke disappears. This is a far better change from the old "mosquito fogger" 2 cycles from years past. I've never had a 4 cycle boat motor so have no performance comparisons to make.

I know 4 cycle engines are more "green" due to fewer exhaust emissions.

 

[msgcoons]

Re: cant decide 2 stroke or 4 stroke

Go for the 4 stroke EFI...

 

[WRX03]

Re: cant decide 2 stroke or 4 stroke

Got my first 4-stroke this year, I won't go back to a 2-stroke.

 

[The Man 5150]

Re: cant decide 2 stroke or 4 stroke

Well I think I have pretty much decided that I will go with a four stroke. As for the extra maintance according to the Mercury web site the valve train is comptley maintance free. That means it should have hydraulic lifters they never need adjustment, just look at your car for an example. How many time have you had the valves adjusted on your car or truck that has a couple hundred thousand miles on it? Well it is never. I dont mind changeing the oil in the crankcase and to me that would give it all the more lubrication protection. The last thing I guess that presuaided me to go four stroke is not haveing to buy the oil for mixing with the gas. I really like the ideal of just being able to pull up to the pump and fill'er up and go.

I know that I wont get the high end preformance from the four stroke that you get with two stokes but I am more into fishing that raceing around the lake.
Thank you for all of your imput and advice.

 

[dt5150]

Re: cant decide 2 stroke or 4 stroke

the 4's are great. they're just so smooth and quiet it's crazy. i just put my boat up for sale yesterday. need something bigger.

 

[feklar]

Re: cant decide 2 stroke or 4 stroke

I've been a 2 stroke owner my entire life, just got my first 4 stroke Merc EFI.

The fuel economy amazed me...i think y 40hp 2 stroke burned fuel faster than the 115 4, and the quietness and no smoke is awsome.

 

[Giguchan]

Re: cant decide 2 stroke or 4 stroke

Hello all!!

This is my first post since i signed up... i saw this thread i'm looking to get a Tracker 190 and so far most of the Bass fishermen i speak to are all telling me that 2 stroke is a better move than the 4. This will be my first outboard- that does not require a deep cycle battery meaning i dont know much about outboards motors.. there is the 115 optimax which i believe is a 2 and they also have a 90 or a 115 which is 4. I've been told that the "hole shot" with a 2 stroke is better- but you have to deal with smoke, noise and mixing oil.. the 4 is better that the mileage is better no mixing of anything it's quieter and no smoke.. I still have some research to do but i thought i'd start here first
Thanks.
Gig

 

[Socal Pat]

Re: cant decide 2 stroke or 4 stroke

OK so the big draw of the 2 stroke is the hole shot. Are you drag racing the boat? Pulling skiers? Can't see why it's so important. I don't tourny fish and my lake isnt too big but I troll alot. At 3mph my Tracker PT175 needs a fillup about once a month or so. Thats 8 trips a month trolling all day.

 

[Giguchan]

Re: cant decide 2 stroke or 4 stroke

Hey Pat,
you make great points I dont tourny fish. and i am certainly not Dragracing my boat. I have a jet skki for pulling skiers.. I have the entire winter to find a boat perform all the upgrades that will most likely need to happen and then i 'll be set for the summer..
Thanks for the reply.