2 stroke vs. 4 stroke

Hooked up · 01-30-2005, 11:58 PM

I`m thinking of buying a Smoker Craft 16` Lodge series spilt seat. It comes standard with a 25 hp. 2 stroke. I could go with the 25 hp. 4 stroke Big Foot for about $450.00 more. I`m leaning towards the 2 stroke but I wanted to get a few opinions before I made my decision. So what are your thoughts?

Shad & Crab · 01-31-2005, 12:02 AM

I have the 15 foot Smoker Craft Lodge series with the 4 stroke bigfoot Merc motor. I like the 4 stroke better, its a much cleaner less smelly engine. Downside of course is price and weight/size of the 4 stroke compared to the 2 stroke.

steelheadslayer · 01-31-2005, 03:07 AM

I switched from a 25 HP Yami 2 stroke to a 4 stroke same size and brand last year. Love the 4 stroke, trolls so much better and is quiet. It does weigh quite a bit more though which is noticeable on a 15' Smoker Craft Alaskan. I'd take the 4 stroke over the 2 stroke any day.

Starfish · 01-31-2005, 05:41 AM

If you're thinking of running the boat with just the main motor and no kicker, then unquestionably go with the 4-stroke... it can idle much more easily and quietly for trolling. It's nice not having the noise and smoke of a 2-stroke.

BuKuBass · 01-31-2005, 06:05 AM

You're chioce of the Bigfoot is a good'un; more grunt.

Space · 01-31-2005, 06:14 AM

When comparing the cost, keep in mind that every time you fill the tank with gas you will also have to mix it with 2 cycle oil. That is money out the window. It will take some time to make up the $450.00 dollar difference, but with time it will happen. I remember switching to the 4-stroke and never having to mess with the oil again. Now I just pull into the gas station, fill it up and go fish.

SPACE

Cast Away · 01-31-2005, 06:19 AM

Hooked up,

I have a 16' lodge with 40hp 4-stoke yamaha (4hp 4-stroke kicker). The combination works great for me. I would never consider going back to a 2 stroke, (no smoke, mixing of fuel, noise etc.) I also would recomend that you go bigger then 25hp. I had a 25 hp on my 15' lodge and it moved us at about 26mph. All the guys I have talked to that have a 25hp on the 16' Lodge wish they would have gone with a 40hp. Depending on your load conditions a 25hp may struggle a bit to get you up on a plane.

Hope this helps.

SPRINGERMAN · 01-31-2005, 07:17 AM

If you do go with the 2 stroke, try using synthetic oil in it. I've used it in the past and it really cuts down on the smoke/smell and any fouling/loading of the plugs went away. I have a 4 stroke now and I have to agree with the others, smoooooooth and quiet.

Pencillead · 01-31-2005, 08:12 AM

I had a 14' Smokercraft Alaskan with a 15 hp 2 stroke, traded the motor for a 25hp 4 stroke Mercury. 4 stroke was outstanding, no smoke, easy start and with me alone in the boat it would do 34 mph.

CURADO KID · 01-31-2005, 08:40 AM

Not to mention the 4 stroke gets outstanding gas mileage, i'm not sure how those two specific engines compare, but i'd bet the 4 stroke gets more bang for the buck.

lamiman · 01-31-2005, 09:29 AM

I went 4 stroke on both my mail engine and kicker. Yamaha 4 stroke's 6 and 60.. I love them, no smoke, no noise, no stalling.. Cant go wrong

Gundog · 01-31-2005, 09:29 AM

I sold my last boat with two stroke motors, one big reason was to get rid of the two stroke motors. I remember starting my boat at the ramp one morning smoking and dying until it was warm. A guy pulled up with twin Hondas running I could not hear it run and there was my boat smoking noisy and dying. It ran cold blooded from day one once warm it was ok.
A few times trolling the wind would blow the wrong way and the fumes inside the boat were awful. Go four stroke all the way if you can afford it. I think resale will be much better also.
Mike

El-Kabong · 01-31-2005, 09:33 AM

I would not even hesitate to go with the 4 stroke. Better mileage, less noise, better resaler value, less smoke... the list goes on and on.

EK

01-31-2005, 09:40 AM

EK,
You forgot to mention no oil in the water. I will never buy another 2 stroke.

El-Kabong · 01-31-2005, 09:56 AM

very true Keta, very true.

also, not having to deal with 2 stroke oil and pre-mixing anymore!

Sambo · 01-31-2005, 08:50 PM

Yami 4-stroke, as big as your boat will hold, or you can afford. You wont be disappointed for all the reasons listed above.

Sambo

Half fast Toyn · 01-31-2005, 10:23 PM

just to be fair...... the 4 strokes are dogs until warmed up and also need to have oil and filter changed at least once a year.
If my main motor was only used for high speeds to and from a fishing area, Id choose a 2 stroke. For trolling, Id choose a 4 stroke.
I have a 4 stroke 9.9 hp kicker on my sled and a 2 stroke 9.9 hp on my 14 ft car topper. The car topper trolls nice with an electric trolling motor and the 9.9 two stroke is nice and light to remove and install as needed for launching and such. My 4 stroke is too heavy for me to safely carry on a slippery boat launch. Truth be told, the 2 stroke 9.9 Yamaha moves the boat a full 4-5 MPH faster than the 9.9 4 stroke Mercury... by my GPS

Starfish · 02-01-2005, 06:13 AM

Quote:

If my main motor was only used for high speeds to and from a fishing area, Id choose a 2 stroke. For trolling, Id choose a 4 stroke.

Good point. I run a 2-stroke 225EFI main and a T-8 4-stroke kicker.

Catching Nemo · 02-01-2005, 10:30 AM

I've been looking at the those new Envinrude E-Tec's and they seem to have eliminated all the minus's that went with having a 2 stroke. Quiet, oil is fully burned, no smoke, less emissions than many 4 strokes. No breakin period and no sevice for the first 100 hours or 3 years. How many oil and filter changes is that on a 4 stroke.

Take a look at their website and some of the boating forums. So far, it looks impressive and reviews have been outstanding.

ICHTHYDEMON · 02-01-2005, 08:23 PM

Don't get the 25HP. My brother fell into that trap last year when he bought his 16' Lodge series. All the boat and motor combos had 25s on the back,and the salesman talked him into sticking with the 25. He can't stand the 25. Even with two people in his boat its way underpowered. He tried a set of the Doelfins on the motor and it helped,but he really needs a 40hp.

The extra weight of the four stroke 25 will only make it worse. Now my brother will take a big hit when he buys the new 40. If he would have bought the 40 with the combo he would have saved a bunch of money.