Trolling motors - which one is the best???

[orsturgeon]

Looking to finally buy a trolling motor, probably a four stroke. I have an 18' Starcraft. Think anywhere from 8 to 15 horse. I appreciate any and all information.

Thank you
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[Thumper]

I can't figure out why anyone would want a four-stroke. They are too heavy, have less top-end torque and lack shift-in-handle. And they don't pollute nearly enough.

[CAGEY]

Hi orsturgeon. I have had three different pushers, A evinrude 15 hp, a merc 15, and a little 3 hp yamaha. All three were on 19/20 foot boats. The little 3hp was great except in heavy current and it just could not cut it. Both of the 15 hp did and excellent job. I ran them in the Columbia including bouy 10 and the ocean, they did the job. In an emergency they well get you where you want to go although at a slow pace but for general trolling the 15hp seemed to be about right.Hope this helps you out. By the way the merc was excellent on plugs and all three were two strokes.

[Mrdorkfish]

I own a 15hp HONDA,Run great...weigh a little over 100lbs....shifter in handle images/icons/tongue.gif they have,8..9..or 15hp.
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Mrdorkfish

Why is everyone saying 4-strokes are heavy...i carry mine in my house down stairs in the winter... images/icons/smile.gif

[ 04-14-2001: Message edited by: Mrdorkfish ]

[Joe Schwab]

Consider the 9.9 Yamaha 4 stroke high thrust. I've had one for 5 years and through some mighty hard use in salt and fresh water. It purrs like a kitten, electric start and can get you home if need be. I've had Hondas and did not care for them. Cant really say why.

[HOGTIDE]

I recently purchased a 9.9 Merc 4 stroke for my new boat. It is wonderful little unit. Idles way down. Very smooth. Little smoke. It has the Big Foot lower unit and prop which takes a bigger bite and provide plenty of thrust for my 20 foot boat. Only negative I can see is that it is very heavy ,nearly twice the weight of my old 2 stroke 8 hp. I would not put one of these on the corner of a smaller or narrow boat. It balances perfectly on the back of my Intruder, which actually sits kinda high in the rearend. The weight does give a feel of solidness and reduces vibration. Low RPM is smoooooth!

[Salmonator]

There is a Mercury 9.9 four stroke long shaft for sale in the Albany paper. They say it was used once and I don't know if it has sold yet. $1,300 sounds like a heck of a buy if it's what you're looking for. 541-745-7403 is the number listed... Joe

[Kerry]

I have had 2 Honda's and were good 4 stroke kickers , both were stolen so for a change I bought a 15 HP 2 stroke Yamaha that mixes 100 to 1 and the Yamaha is a better motor. But I did like the Honda cuzz no extra tank to kick arround and make sure the kicker is listed on your'e boat insuranse images/icons/rolleyes.gif

[orsturgeon]

Thank you everyone for the replies. Thanks Joe.

I would like to find some consumer report comparisons, for some of the more popular motors. I see a lot of Johnsons, Evenrudes, Mercs, Yahamas, and Hondas.

The four strokes are heavy!! I just have a trolling motor bracket mounted on the back of the boat.

Anyway thanks for all of your help.

Joel

[Doubletake]

I also have a 9.9 Merc 4-stroke, I love it, 111 pounds it is heavy. I also have it mounted on an OMC bracket on the back and have not had any problems in the water or trailering (with the bracket)

[Rippenlips]

I have a Honda 15 horse 4-stroke electric start and love it. No oil slick when running.
What ever you get, the best part is the electric start. I have my pole in right hand with fish peeling line and I take my left and just push the button and am chasing the fish. Plus if you drain your main battery you can get the electric sart kicker to charge them. Mine will only charge about 6 amps. but should get one battery charged enough to start the main engine.
Jon images/icons/grin.gif

[Trout,myster]

I have a 8hp Honda on an 18 1/2 foot Crestliner. Wouldn't have another 2-stroke. Honda starts 1st/2nd pull every time, idles smooth, and runs a week of fishing on 3 gal of gas. Plus, with the top up, it doesn't make my eyes burn! Honda? Yamaha? Suzuki? Merc? I think the one you like is the one you'll be happy with. They really aren't that much heavier (HP to HP) than the 2-dingers.

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[Oakie Drifter]

I own a 4-stroke 9.9 Mariner and love it. Yes, its heavy but just get one of those motor caddys and I, as a woman, take that motor off and on the boat everytime I use it....two attempts to steal it made me resort to this. Love the motor caddy! Goes up and down stairs too. images/icons/grin.gif
Love the fact that it purrs when trolling; soooo quiet!!!!

[Fish Hunter]

I have over 60 hours on the 2001 Honda 9.9 four stroke on my 19' North River and I love it. I am familiar with the older Honda version and they are nice but they made some improvements with the new one. It has a slightly longer tiller handle, the throttle friction adjustment works better,and the vibration dampening is better. I got the Power Thrust prop which has a slightly larger diameter and shallower pitch that provides a slow min speed for trolling, and feels torquey when manuevering. Top end speed seems adequate so far. Only bad thing I can say about it is the shop manual costs over 100$!!! images/icons/shocked.gif Hopefully this price will come down in the future. I put off buying mine for a while.

[Fountainhead]

Had an old ten horse honda four stroke and loved it, for some reason i sold it though, now I have a Suzuki 2 stroke best thing I can say about it is the extended warranty was a 6 year deal (have never had to use it). First time out for the year it is a tough starter. When it was new it started in two pulls every time, now it is sluggish. Runs great though. Wish I would have bought another Honda though. F

[Stz ll]

I would only consider a Mercury. By far the best motor out there. Have a 9.9 bigfoot 4 stroke which I would not tade for anything. I had a Honda once. It was a good motor, however the throtle was so touchy controling your trolling speed was really difficult. images/icons/smile.gif However that was several years ago. Avoid Johnson at all cost or you will be sorry.

[HOGTIDE]

Something to consider. Presently, no one is making a reliable accu-mix type of a system. So, if you go 2 stroke, you'll need that extra remote tank sitting in your boat.

The older OMC systems worked, but the new generation was sub'ed out to a new contracter and had to be recalled. If you have a working auto-blend system, it is presently like 'GOLD'. I traded my last one in with my boat (should've kept it for a friend)

[boater]

hogtide, i have one of the older omc accu mix setups sitting in the garage, its maybe 5 years old and hardly used, i sold my 2 stroke and its been sitting, if you know of anyone who needs one let me know and i`d be glad to sell it.

[HOGTIDE]

Thanks Boater...I'll inform 'AquaSport'. He was asking about a 'mixer' to adapt to his big motor. He has an older Johnson.

[dogfishboy]

I have to agree with Capt. Hook. That 9.9Yamaha 4 stroke has served me well for several years now. It's the only way to go...for me images/icons/grin.gif

[Predator Dawg]

Fountainhead -

I had a Suzuki 8hp. Mu heart goes out to you in your moment of grief, or should I say years of grief to come. The one thing I did that helped out some was cleaned the sparkplugs every trip or two. Otherwise, its pull, pull, pull until she kicks over. If you run out of beer, you can always get a good buzz by firing up ol' smokey images/icons/grin.gif images/icons/grin.gif

Good luck.

[boater]

i bought a 2000 9.9 electric honda, what a mistake, what a junk and after looking at the new 2001`s, i think they are worse. buy a yamaha, i wish i would have.

[Pirate]

I'm with you Boater.....the new 8hp Yamaha looks mighty nice.