Switching to a 4 stroke ????

[adm1476]

I have a 1997 Sunbird Neptune 23ft CC The boat has a solid transom with a flotation bracket. It currently has a 225Hp Johnson 2 stroke on it. I am looking into putting a 2008 Honda 200hp 4 stroke on it. I have heard many conflicting opinions on this. It weighs 144lbs more than my 225 Johnson. Some say it is too heavy and wont work others say it will. This is a large investment and don't want to get it wrong. I weigh 255lbs and I sat on top of the motor(Johnson) yesterday while it was in the water and it didn't hardly change anything maybe sat 1/2 in lower if that. I would think that since the Honda is only 144lbs heavier and I weigh 255lbs that it should work with no problems.So will it work??

 

[CadoTx]

Why are some saying that it wont work? What is your boat rated for, HP and weight? It will work but due to the 25 HP drop and the 144 LBS weight increase there will be a change in performance.

 

[jbcurt00]

Why are some saying that it wont work? What is your boat rated for, HP and weight? It will work but due to the 25 HP drop and the 144 LBS weight increase there will be a change in performance.

Need to know what the bracket is rated for. IMO, the drop in HP isnt as important as the 144lbs increased weight OUT of the water, when the bracket isnt getting any support from the water pushing back against the flotation pod.

Did the boat come w the bracket originally or did it get added, by you or previous owner.

 

[dingbat]

A good friend has the same boat.

He swapped out the OEM Rude 200 for a Yamaha 225 4- stroke. It handles the extra weight no problem. He is very happy with the increased performance, despite the added weight

The big question is will you be happy with the performance loosing 25 HP while adding #144?

 

[adm1476]

The boat came factory with the engine bracket. The lower performance and added weight do not bother me. The 225 hp is very tired and probably only making 200hp anyway. Lol

 

[Frank Acampora]

The conflicting opinions you are getting is because some people remember the early days of 4 cycle outboards. In some cases they simply did not have the low end torque to get a heavy hull on plane. Remember: early 4 strokers had half the power strokes of a 2 cycle and therefore about 1/2 the torque. Newer 4 strokes with fuel injection and computer controls have probably overcome that problem.

My only experience with a 4 stroke was a late model Suzuki 30 HP engine and this engine impressed me. It had plenty of power mounted on a 16 foot open FG hull, was quiet, and fuel efficient.

 

[steelespike]

There are a numberr of DFI 2 strokes and 4 strokes even a 9.9.
About 1/4 of the moving parts.in a 2 stroke.

 

[Silvertip]

Performance difference between "old" two strokes and a slightly more "modern" Honda may be more significant than you think. Regardless -- there is still a performance issue to contend with going from a 225 2-stroke to a 200 4-stroke. While the 225 may be a bit tired, there is no guarantee a used Honda is putting out it's rated HP either. 144# is like carrying an extra person all the time so that's one consideration. Honda's in my view have never been great at hole shot so the extra weight, lack of low end grunt, plus 25 ponies less seems to me to be a move in the wrong direction. That is unless performance is not terribly high on your list. Will the combination work? Certainly! Is it a good move and will it meet your performance objective? Questionable! Only you can answer that question.