Which Outboard

[Ruffriders]

Hey all
I need a new outboard for my inflatable I have two options, slim picking where I am located right now.
1 brand new yamaha 4hp 4 stroke $1100
2 10 month old mercury 2 stroke 5hp $800
Going on a 9' soft bottom
Thoughts?

[motion30]

I would buy the two stroke for the lighter weight 1 hp more and $300 less

[Bash]

Yamaha. Way less fuel, way more quiet, and waaaaay more dependable.

Neither one will get you up on a plane, so why not enjoy the ride?

[Weyalan]

Ask a "which outboard" question and you will get as many opinions as replys. The subject is as emotive and emotional as politics, guns on board or which anchor debates.

Personally, I'd go for the Mercury, but that is purely a personal preference for 2-strokes. Others will swear the other way, I'm sure.

[Ruffriders]

Is the two stroke more torquey than the four stroke??? I mean if you ran 2 motors the same hp on the same type of boat but one was 2 stroke and one 4 would they perform the same?

[ohdrinkboy]

i'm partial to Yamaha's reliability....10 years on my F115 and no issues with scheduled maintenance.

[onestepcsy37]

if fuel economy is important, get the four stroke. if ease of fixing/servicing get the 2 stroke. i've owned both yamaha and mercury and they can both be very reliable. also, i think the merc is lighter than the yamaha which might matter to you.

personally, i'm a 2 stroke kind of guy, but thats just me....

[Tbrad]

I have both. If noise and economy are of importance, go with the 4 stroke. If weight and cost are of paramount consideration then the 2 stroke is for you. Both are good motors. I personally like the quiet of the Yamaha and the fact that I don't have to fool around with mixing the gas and oil for the two stroke. The 4 stroke uses exactly half the gas of the 2 stroke. At least in my engines.

[CSY Man]

Disagree:

My previous dink motor was a Evinrude 2-stroke, 2 cylinder 4 HP.
It ran great and would push the dink at 7.5 knots. (310 mercury hypalong @ 103 lbs + 225 lbs of all muscle operator)

3 years ago I bought a new Yamaha 4-stroke, 4 HP, same dink and same operator now enjoys 10.9 knots at full blast, verified with same GPS several times as I did not belive my eyes. Most definetly on the plane.

No idea why there is such a difference between 4 HP motors..

[rubyjean]

I own two Honda's. I like the economy of the 4 stroke. They always start and run perfectly every time...Michael..

[ozskipper]

I dont think you need a four stroke on a tender. As someone else mentioned they are heavy little buggers. The fuel saving, compared to a 4stroke is negligible considering the tiny amount of fuel all small motors use.

At the end of the day, when you have to lift the motor, that's when you will decide if you like it or not. The difference is speed is not a biggie- its a tender after all, not a cigarette boat.

All of my thoughts and comments would reverse if the OB was an aux motor on a yacht of course.

[MarkSF]

Originally Posted by CSY Man

Disagree:

My previous dink motor was a Evinrude 2-stroke, 2 cylinder 4 HP.
It ran great and would push the dink at 7.5 knots. (310 mercury hypalong @ 103 lbs + 225 lbs of all muscle operator)

3 years ago I bought a new Yamaha 4-stroke, 4 HP, same dink and same operator now enjoys 10.9 knots at full blast, verified with same GPS several times as I did not belive my eyes. Most definetly on the plane.

No idea why there is such a difference between 4 HP motors..

The way hp is calculated has changed over the years, to become more strict. A modern 4hp-rated engine has the same power as one rated 5-6hp previously.

[rubyjean]

Originally Posted by ozskipper

I dont think you need a four stroke on a tender. As someone else mentioned they are heavy little buggers. The fuel saving, compared to a 4stroke is negligible considering the tiny amount of fuel all small motors use.

At the end of the day, when you have to lift the motor, that's when you will decide if you like it or not. The difference is speed is not a biggie- its a tender after all, not a cigarette boat.

All of my thoughts and comments would reverse if the OB was an aux motor on a yacht of course.

My dingy motor is only a 2hp Honda, weights less than thirty pounds. It get's me to the beach. Don't need more, if the wind is blowing I just stay onboard and have another R&B...Michael..

[MarkSF]

Originally Posted by rubyjean

My dingy motor is only a 2hp Honda, weights less than thirty pounds. It get's me to the beach. Don't need more, if the wind is blowing I just stay onboard and have another R&B...Michael..

I used to think the same, but then I discovered that 14 kts is way more fun... WAY more.....

[thomm225]

I don't think you can buy a new 2 stroke in the US anymore. I think they are going with the more efficient 4 strokes these days only..............