Motor question

[albinotrout]

Lookiing at aluminum bass boats and the manufacutrers that I am looking at both offer mercury outboards. Now my question is what is the difference between Opti max and 4 stroke efi? Which would be better? The boats I am looking at are 17 to 18 feet and each start around 75 hp to 115 hp. Thanks!
[signature]

[dtayboyz]

Go with the 4 stroke, there are lots of places with restrictions on 2 stroke motors and it will only get worse. Always go with the EFI. Buy new if possible, all boat motors break sooner or later. The money I have spent on new power heads in the last ten years, I could have bought a new Ranger with a Verado. Just saying. Good Luck . . . Dale
[signature]

[Tarponjim]

Can't go wrong with either if they're new. I love my Optimax. Its 10 years old, gets fished 125+ days a year in all weather. So far, so good. Only negative is $35 a gallon oil to add to it. I use about 9 gallons of oil a year. 4-stroke doesn't need that. Fuel economy is excellent though. Its pretty quiet, plenty of power (115hp), and weighs less than most 4 strokes.

If weight/size isn't an issue, I would consider the 4-stroke a little more for ease of maintenance and not burning oil. When I shopped them both, the same Optimax weighed 100 pounds less than the 4-stroke, so that did it for me, especially going on an aluminum boat.
[signature]

[albinotrout]

So I would have to mix the fuel and oil like a 2 cycle engine on the opti max?

I am rather new at this boat and motor thing. I use an inflatable pontoon with a 34 minn Kota right now.
[signature]

[tomc]

no.the new 2 strokes are oil injected.they have a seperate reservoir for the oil.


[signature]

[Tarponjim]

Right, no mixing on the Optimax. Pour in a gallon, burn it up, and pour in another gallon! I haven't calculated exactly how many gallons of gas I burn to a gallon of oil, but I believe its around 60 or 70. It runs a little leaner on oil than the standard 50-1. A horn goes off when you're running low on oil so you know when to fill it.
[signature]

[albinotrout]

Thanks for the help. This will help my decision when it comes time to buy.[cool]
[signature]

[albinotrout]

One more question, on an 18 foot aluminum bass boat what would be better a 90hp or 115 Hp and why?
[signature]

[Tarponjim]

Look at the Coast Guard rating for maximum horsepower, and do that. Whatever it says. You always want the max. rated HP. whenever possible for best performance. Its also easier on the motor. Most people who put less than the recommended max. HP on their boats, for whatever reason, regret it later. Nearly everyone.
[signature]

[albinotrout]

Thanks good info to know.
[signature]

[gdn443]

[quote Tarponjim]Look at the Coast Guard rating for maximum horsepower, and do that. Whatever it says. You always want the max. rated HP. whenever possible for best performance. Its also easier on the motor. Most people who put less than the recommended max. HP on their boats, for whatever reason, regret it later. Nearly everyone.[/quote]
So true. My Lund came with a 40hp from the factory [ 4 stroke ] As much as I like the 4 stroke, I wish it was bigger period.
[signature]

[Paulpro]

my buddy has the 115 two stroke on his 17' "I believe",if your getting a 4 stroke then forget it,with two strokes you can go higher than the recommended.This boat came with a 40,then Alfred put a 90 now has the 115 Yammy!
With no additional transom support.

I had a 9.9 on a 3hp recomended 10' jon boat,but I re enforced the transom[] I'm currently running 3.5hp with twin outboards[shocked] 1.75's Tanakas! aircooled and 2 stroke!! on my 10 footer,T-hee


[url "http://youtu.be/3in_w3gUqvg"]http://youtu.be/3in_w3gUqvg[/url]


[signature]

[Paulpro]

and to answer your question why?
My buddy Alfred said its because he's getting older now and doesn't have the patience anymore,he hates long slow rides to the fishing hole so he got more speed,also he says he can run faster than before at lower rpm's hope dat makes scense,so remember say NO to 4strokes,dead weight!!
good luck,and enjoy your new boat!
P
[signature]

[gdn443]

4 stroke or 2 will have to be your decision. 4 stroke doesn't smell and I change the oil once or twice a season. there is some added weight, but I never found that to be a problem. My buddy as well has a 115 yami, but his next one will be a four stroke as some lakes up here are going to it if you want to fish there. LOOK TO THE FUTURE, here they no longer sell a straight 2 stroke as we know them.
[signature]

[kelmark2590]

[right]The 4-strokes are way better motors. They are a little heavier, but they are much more reliable and fuel efficient. On the two strokes (optimax) if the [url "http://www.partspak.com/productcart/pc/showsearchresults.asp?pageStyle=M&resultCnt=10&keyword=mercury+oil+pump&submit=GO+%3E%3E+++"]oil pump[/url] goes out, your engine is shot. This happens a lot. I would go with a Yamaha if possible, but the 4-stroke Mercury's are good also. Mercury used to use [url "http://www.partspak.com/productcart/pc/showsearchresults.asp?pageStyle=M&resultCnt=10&keyword=yamaha+powerhead&submit=GO+%3E%3E+++"]Yamaha powerheads[/url] for their 4-stroke motors.[/right]
[right] [/right]
[right]Good luck w/ your new boat. If you are ever looking for [url "http://www.PartsPak.com"]cheap boat parts[/url] go to [url "http://www.PartsPak.com"]http://www.PartsPak.com[/url][/right]

[Texasdiverlove]

Go with the 4 stroke. Four-strokes have inherently cleaner running qualities over traditional two-strokes. They tend to have smooth and quiet operation, improved fuel efficiency, and don't smoke. they reduce fuel consumption too.
[signature]

[DasJusMeDoe]

Definitely a 4 stroke, they're easier to maintain in most cases. It'll be easier to refuel too because you just fill your tank instead of having to mix fuel with oil in a 2 stroke.
[signature]