2 stroke vs 4 Stroke

John Robinson

Well-known member
Hi Guys,

I'm getting a little ahead of myself here since I'm not even starting my boat until Spring, but I am starting to think about power. I am building a Scaup and was thinking about putting a lighter 25 hp on it, my buddy has a 40hp 2-stoke on his Snow Goose which I thought was really heavy. The lightness issue is just an attempt to float the boat higher, I have to admit that we have never been prevented from going anywhere because of draft with the Snow Goose.

Anyway after reading others comments on horse power I am now pretty set on 40 hp, but what are the pros and cons of 2-stoke vs 4-stroke?
 
John

Check the dimensions of the motor well and a four stroke. You are probably okay but those 4 strokes are bigger. I ran a 40hp 4 cylinder 2 stroke Mariner on mine and loaded to the gills with three hunters she had no problem getting on plane. That particular motor was very strong and boy was it smooth. Wish I still had the motor. I'd love to run it on the BBII.
 
No kidding, I would love to have one of those 4cyl Merc/Mariners on my BB2 also. Brent mason had one on his tin can boat and I drove it around tending the layouts up at longpoint a couple years ago. His didn't have electric start but one pull was all it took...and it wasn't any harder to pull than my 25.


John, I would say my first choice would be 4 stroke...on a boat that will handle the weight. It is nice on a cold morning while setting the dekes to not be gassed out with 2 stroke fumes..the 40 e-tec Evinrude is a sweet motor you might put on the thinking list.
 
I struggled with that question... I was a freak about weight in the stern.

Eric and Neil B have a 40 4 stroke yam on their scaup -- it's a beautiful thing. fast, QUIET, no smoke, no oil to mix, reliable.

I have a similar sized boat (snowgoose) and I have a 40 Honda 4 stroke. Everyone who gets in the boat comments on how quiet it is. The breeze makes more sound than the engine. When picking up deeks, you have to check the pee hole to make sure the engine is running. No smoke - makes for a nice day.

The weight issue is a non-issue in my boat. The hull is only about .5 inch in the water. Go with the 4 stroke, and see the Refuge for questions about E-tec, etc. Evidently, their motors had some troubles. I tried to buy an E-tech - even wrote the General Manager of the division - they wouldn't sell me one as they were selling into packaged boat deals in those days. Glad i didn't buy it -- it weighed as much as the 4 strokes anyway.

good luck.
 
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