Buy 2 stroke or 4 stroke?

palingr · **Joined:** Thu Dec 01, 2005 11:12 pm **Posts:** 5

Guys, I am looking for some advice. I am going to buy a new boat over the winter or early next spring and am really struggling with motor selection. I will be looking at motors in the 150 - 200 hp range and will be buying a kicker for trolling. Although I do a bit of tubing and such with the kids, most of my choice is based around fishing.
I currently have an 80 hp Yamaha fourstroke on my smaller Lund and love the motor (whisper quiet, fuel efficient, reliable). When I bought the boat 8 years ago, it looked as though 2 strokes were on the way out. Now, with newer technology, some guys I talk to tell me that 2 stroke is the way to go (lighter, good fuel efficiency, quiet, more lower end power, etc.). I talked to one sales rep recently who told me that the two strokes can be problematic when fishing in late fall, cold weather (oil problems). Has anyone heard of this? I do like to fish right up to freeze-up at Quinte. Any thoughts on whether to go with 2 stroke or 4 stroke would be appreciated (pro's and con's). I am likely looking at Merc, since the package deals on both boats I am looking at have Merc's on them. Thanks for any help!

Neil · **Posted:** Wed Dec 16, 2009 9:39 pm

I have a 200 hp Optimax and no problems for 5-years. Likewise, a 9.9 kicker 4-stroke without problems. The 4s do seem to be a little temperature sensitive, but once started, no issues. All good if you ask me!

West Lake Willows · **Posted:** Wed Dec 16, 2009 9:54 pm

2 years ago I ran Honda's on a Lund, and last year I ran an e-tec on a Lund.

If you are looking at a big motor like a 150 - 200 I would go with a two stroke. I don't have any really experience with an Opti, but I have nothing but great things to say about the E-tec. I broke ice out of the harbour last year, with no problems running. The self winterizing feature is phenominal especially if you fish late season, cause you can winterize it on the ramp in under 5 minutes then if you use it again no biggie. Great feature for late season on Quinte. Tons of power and hole shot, great top end, quiet, fuel efficient, no negatives in my opinion and I was a hard sell.

What boat models are you looking at?

Scott

zslnk · **Posted:** Thu Dec 17, 2009 9:15 am

I have a pair of 90 FICHT's which are very similar technology to the ETEC (FICHT's had a bad start and they had to re-market under BRP). These motors have full compression on all 8 cylinders and start fine in all weather. They are easy to work on if your OK with electronic systems and I have in excessive of 1000 hrs on each engine. I also have a 135 Opti in the fleet that I find to be a good motor but not as solid as the FICHT's. (Small hickups)

Neil · **Posted:** Thu Dec 17, 2009 9:17 am

Good that you haven't had problems with the E-tec, there is a lot of chatter on various Boards about them blowing power heads and lower ends.

palingr · **Joined:** Thu Dec 01, 2005 11:12 pm **Posts:** 5

Thanks guys, I appreciate your thoughts. I know that emotions get stirred up with boat and motor selections - most people are very loyal to their brands

Personally, I am looking at Lund and Crestliner boats. I am high on Lund because of the value that the boats keep, but I realize that there are many other good boats out there too. I am going to go to the Toronto Boat Show in January to check them out and maybe even get a great deal on one there! Anyway, I was thinking four stroke all the way, but now am definately going to look at the two stroke some more and will probably go in that direction with the big motor. Thanks again! Have a great holiday!!

Shelly Morris · **Joined:** Sat Dec 23, 2006 7:09 pm **Posts:** 358

I have a 250 Etec and never had a problem just as You stated every motor has there problems Any way I will stick with ETEC BUT check out the new YAMAHA SHO 4 stroke awesome looking and now lighter than most 2 strokes

West Lake Willows · **Posted:** Thu Dec 17, 2009 8:09 pm

Palingr,

I'll be at the boat show in January with Bay Marine. Not sure if I'm in the Lund booth as I have been the last few years or Striper. I think I'm going to be in the Striper booth as I am currently running one. Either way please stop by and say hi. Its always cool to meet guys that are board members.

There are two Lund delears in Ontario that I know of that can put E-tecs on Lunds. Bay Marine here in Trenton www.bay-marine.com and Bay City Marine in Hamilton I think. I would highly recommend an E-tec on a Lund. I really was a hard sell but LOVED my e-tec. I had an 1850 tyee with a 175 e-tec. It was an awesome combo.

What Lund models are you looking at?

Scott

BATMAN · **Posted:** Thu Dec 17, 2009 9:00 pm

Palingr,

I put a 150 HO Etec on my 18 ft Lund Pro-V in 2008. It has been a great motor. I initially had problems due to software issues but run trouble free since. Darn computer software. I wonder if I can upgrade to Windows 7.

The dealer also offered Honda outboards. They refused to put a 150 Honda on my boat. They felt the extra weight might sink it and lack of low end torque would give less performance than its previous 115 HO Evinrude.

As it turns out, the Etec turned the boat into a real performer. I just love to fly by Honda's.

I still do love my Honda CRV, Honda Generator, Honda Lawnmower, and most of all my Honda snow blower with the tractor tracks.

BATMAN

palingr · **Joined:** Thu Dec 01, 2005 11:12 pm **Posts:** 5

Thanks again for some additional thoughts. To answer your question about which boats I am considering, I am going to look at the Lund Tyee, Angler and Fisherman, all in the 18.5 ft range and 150-175 hp. I also am going to check out the Crestliner Raptor, Superhawk, and Sportfish. I have looked online, but hard to tell exactly what you are getting without seeing live. I currently have a 1675 Explorer SS, and I love it, but just not enough boat for Quinte and other bigger water. Take care guys and thanks again for your thoughts - I really appreciate it.

Neil · **Posted:** Thu Dec 17, 2009 10:43 pm

I ran Lunds for years, my last one was a 1775 ProV and I loved it and thought it would be my last boat. My buddy convinced me to buy his Ranger 619 VS because he was into bass tournaments, and I have to say that there is no comparison between the two rigs. I would not go back to aluminum now, but I still love Lunds. As for the dealer, Bay City in Hamilton are absolutely first rate, I will never deal with anyone else! Good luck with your decision, it is never easy, but the high end rigs are all fantastic if you ask me.

BATMAN · **Posted:** Sat Dec 19, 2009 7:37 pm

One more comment, You should at least look at the new Yamaha 4 strokes just introduced in the last month. They are light weight and apparently have the performance of a 2 stroke. Sounds like the start of a commercial.

BATMAN

palingr · **Joined:** Thu Dec 01, 2005 11:12 pm **Posts:** 5

Thanks Batman, I will have a look. I have had absolutley no issues with my current Yamaha four strokes (other than the lower end power, which isn't a big deal to me) so will give them a look. If the new Yamaha's have two stroke performance, they will be great motors. I guess that might beg the question though..........why not just buy a 2 stroke then and a four stroke as a kicker? As for Ranger boats, I agree that the are great boats. I don't think I have ever heard a bad word about a Ranger boat, but............ they are a bit steep for me. Anyway, thanks again to everyone who has given me their thoughts, I am on a mission now to see what is best for me. Take care guys and have a great holiday!

BATMAN · **Posted:** Sun Dec 20, 2009 11:43 am

Hey Polliwog,

I hope I didn't steer you wrong. As it turns out the new series V-Max is the light version and it is only available in 200 HP and up. Outboard companies tend to do this. They put out the 150 version out only after the hype of the larger engines goes down after their introduction.

BATMAN

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Buy 2 stroke or 4 stroke?

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