New Boat, which motor 2stroke vs 4stroke

[Kamalot]

Recently ordered a 23' NR Seahawk and did the write-up using the 225-4stroke, but have talked with a couple retailers indiating they'd choose a 200/225 HPDI-2stroke over the 4stroke(indicating same fuel economy, better performance, nearly as quiet & lighter) help!!!

Would like some fisherman or mechanic thoughts!

Thanks

[adfluvial angler]

anchorpoint,
I am on the verge of ordering either a NR 22'x82" Seahawk or a Duckworth Navigator 215. In both cases dealers have told me the 150 hp 4-stroke would be fine. One dealer did recommend that if I did increase the hp from 150 to 200, to get the 2-stroke hpdi. He thought the gain in weight of the 6 cyl 200 hp four stroke would not offset the gain in zip. According to my 2003 Yamaha spec sheet, the 200 f/s weighs more than 100# than the 200 hpdi (583# vs 468#).
aa

But my question is this, if a person only wants to cruise at 38-40 mph, and the motor will produce that speed, why do they need more than a 150 hp?

[Kamalot]

AA

The main reason I plan to go larger is I don't want to regret it later. I keep seeing posts where owners wish they would've gone bigger. I think the smaller motor would probably do fine, but I also think many dealers put a smaller motor on to prevent sticker shock!!!

[skybuster]

Just go bigger! You'll only regret it more later if you don't!

[Salmon Hot Shot]

If I was going to buy a 23' boat I would buy the the 225 4-stroke to run her. Thats just what I would do. Thats a good size boat and needs a good size motor.

[trap50]

I have always felt the 2 stroke will out preform the four stroke. Now a kicker will always be a four stroke for me.I bet all the 2 stroke made now will meet 2006 also.

[Sore Back]

I would not even consider a 2 stroke. My opinion would be to power up with only 4 stroke equipment.

[NorthRiverRick]

anchorpoint,

I've got the 225 4-stroke on my 21' NR. Had it since last September.

I've had many motor configurations in the past, including a variety of 2-strokes, I/O's and inboard jet.

Here's my opinion: You made a great choice in motors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have never been happier with any of the previous powerplants than I am with this motor. Notice that the advice you're getting says the 2 stroke is ALMOST as quiet or ALMOST as fuel efficient.... Just remember, everyone has their own perspective and opinions, and you don't know how or why they formed them.

This is the smoothest running, easiest starting (even when below freezing), quietest motor, I've experienced. That includes the HPDI Yami on a freinds boat.

I do believe that you'll get a little more OOMPH out of the 2-stroke with a little better top end and possibly a little better hole shot, but think about it, it's a fishing boat.

You'll easily do 50+ mph with your choice and up on a plane in couple of seconds with your current choice.

You would probably happy with either powerplant for years to come, but I can tell you from my own experience, I would not go back to a 2-stroke after owning this Yami.

I'm sure you'll be extremely happy with your choice

Regards,
Rick
Rick

[Get Bent]

GO WITH THE 4 STROKE. THE WEIGHTS BETWEEN THE TWO IS A LITTLE OVER A 100 POUNDS. F200 IS 583LBS THE Z200 IS 475. THE MONEY YOU SAVE IN FUEL AND OIL YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO JUMP TO THE F225. WITH THE OIL AND TANK YOU WILL BE ABOUT 50 LBS MORE WITH THE F200. THE 23' SEAHAWK DOWN HERE WITH A 225 ON AN OFFSHORE BRACKET DOSE WELL OVER 55MPH ON A GPS. BY THE WAY THE F225 IS THE SAME WEIGHT AS THE F200, AND I HAVE NEVER HAD ANYBODY AT THE DOCK SAY I HAVE TO MUCH POWER!! :grin:

4 stroke

[diehard2]

I have a 20' Duckworth silverwing hardtop with 115 Suzki 4 stroke. I love it. It will do around 36 mph. Suzki now makes 140, 225 and I think a 250 with 6 year warranty. I think they are lighter than most 2 strokes also. **** luck!

[Denali]

I have the 200 HPDI on a 21 ft Duckworth with offshore bracket.. You would not be dissapointed with this choice. The only area the 4-stroke is better is quietness and even there it is marginal. You won't go wrong in either case. The biggest drawback to the 4-stroke is weight. The 200 HPDI has been around a few years and has proven very reliable. You can check out some feedback by the Florida salty dogs on the website The Hull Truth if you like. With the weight differences the HPDI may push that boat slightly better then the F225. Not sure what the cost diff is but may be a factor. Again you won't go wron either way.

[ChinookSlayer]

On my boat, I went four stroke all the way. No more oil to mess with! Even at the same fuel economy, you are saving $$ on the oil. You just pull up to a gas station, fill up, and off you go. No injector hassles...

Also, the four strokes have better torque (which nobody seems to mention), which means it will handle a load (more people in the boat) better.

[Chrome Bumper]

The four stroke probably trolls better.

[CARTMAN]

4 Stroke would be my choice. I run 2 strokes on my smokercraft and hate to mix the oil. Also i wouldn't mind not having to smell the famed 2 stroke blue smoke. Most of the new 2 strokes are less smokier but still have to deal with smoke.

Cartman

[Denali]

They both use oil, one burns it the other you have to change it. The 4-stroke would troll better if you use the big motor to troll.

[willierower]

Go with 2 smaller 4 strokes Say 2 115's or something similar. If I was to have a boat built for use in the saltchuck I would definatly get 2 motors hanging off the back. Its just a safety thing. If one breaks down I could still get back safely with just 1.

If I was stuck with just 1 I would get the biggest 4 stroke I could. The 225 Yamaha would be my choice. Now if the boat was a jet I would definatly get a carburated 2 stroke. In my opionion 4 strokes are worthless with a jet but great from props.

[Kamalot]

Thanks guys, great info NRRick.....My mind is much more at ease with the original decision. I was just thinking that purhaps the 4stroke was more of a fad, but from the comments looks like it really (pulls its weight)!!!

And yes, its obviouly going to be a fisher. Skiing & wakeboarding is for the kids (they can get there own boat)!!!

Thanks much, Anchorpoint

[treegolfer]

Have ordered my new boat with twin 150HP Yamaha four strokes. Have had many two strokes and a handfull of four strokes over the years and am a true believer in four strokes, both for main and kicker motors.

treegolfer

[adfluvial angler]

Check out the performance bulletins on the yamaha web site. They compare the mph, gallons per hour, mpg, and noise (Db) at fixed rpms for the 2 motors on the same boat. They may not have tried them on the boat you're considering, but they have done the side-by-side comparisons for a bunch of boats. It is very informative.
aa

[Uglygreen]

Plus - many places are outlawing 2 stroke engines down south and over east. Cant be to long before it happens here as well.

UG

[crabbait]

Skein and I both bought big heavy 23' boats last year and we both went with Suzuki 4-stroke 140hp motors. 36mph and it does not seem to change a whole lot with a load on.

The difference in speed we will more than make up for in range. Tuna hunting can mean long days and lots of miles. These things hardly use fuel at all. Gotta love that.

[Fish Tales]

I've got a 21ft. Boulton with an offshore bracket with a 130 honda on the back It does 40 mph and gets average 3.5 mpg via gps I'm happy with that
50+mph in the ocean is to fast the same in the river I couldn't imagine dodging debris in the river at that speed

[Mrdorkfish]

If you want something you can rely on and will smell nice every time you turn it on... :shocked: Go 4-stroke....make it a HONDA They power your boat..mow your lawn...take you on bumpy rides and provide you with power when the city can't... HONDA 4-stroke. The shiny silver motors make you happy every time you look at them..

MrDorkfish [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

Some guy named Louis that owns three Honda motors

[Time Off]

Go with either one AS LONG AS IT IS A 4 STROKE!!! :grin:
I have a 115 Suzuki on a 20' TJ and it will do 39.7mph(gps) with 2 people. 150 should be plenty.