Any one using a 4 stroke outboard. What are your dislikes o likes. Pros cons 2 vs 4 stroke

I run a 2014 Yamaha SHO and it's without a doubt the best I've ever had. Quiet, sips gas, easy and efficient to change the oil and filter and all you have to do is bump the starter and it's on. I'll never ever own another 2 stroke. Now, stand by and wait for the naysayers, they're coming I promise. They'll start off by telling you their 2 strokes will out run a 4 stroke and while that's debatable if all you're looking for is speed buy an Allison and mount a 400hp on the back of it. Me, I want something that's dependable, efficient, quiet and easy to maintain. I'm done.

My '96 2-stroke is loud, smokes a lot, has a major drinking problem (gas and oil), and really needs a kick in the azz on cold mornings.

I have been running a Honda for over 10 years now.

Funny Ted but you're prolly telling the truth.

i heard that they are heavy and keep the nose of the boat up and the tail down.

If that's true there are a hail of a lot of Skeeters running around with their nose up and tail down. My Skeeter doesn't have that problem until the pedal hits the floor and then it's nose up for about 5 seconds. Look at a Ranger with a 250 on the back, the water is up to where the cap meets the hull.

absolutely that's the truth!

Been saying for years as soon as that faststrike dies i will upgrade, but it keeps running, and its paid for.

Ted you may be really really old before you get to upgrade, those old Johnson Faststrike's were a beast. I had one on the back of a Skeeter once and not only was it fast it never failed to start and never broke on me.

I had a Yamaha 2006 250 HPDI and loved it. I just got a 2016 250 SHO in January 2017, and I have been tremendously impressed. The hole shot is unbelievable, mid range power is better and much quieter than my 2 stroke. The Yamaha SHO is actually lighter, I want to say 35 lbs. I love not having to buy oil anymore since I do not use an oil injector anymore. My HPDI seemed to drink oil pretty fast.

The differences I am familiar with are fuel, oil and maint. cost are higher on 4 strokes. Yamaha Sho motor cylinders cannot be repaired. On avg. 4 stroke weight minimally heavier than 2 stroke. Initial purchase cost considerably higher than 2 stroke.

well I heard that the heavier weight lifts the nose while sitting still. trying to make a decision on which boat to but. ive only had 2 strokes so don't kmow about 4 strokes. thanks for everyones info.

A 2004 Yamaha 4 stroke is no modern SHO engine. Not sure why they have been mentioned. Those older 4 strokes were heavy and didn't perform anywhere close to the two strokes. That's why you don't see them on many bassboats. They are very reliable engines that run forever. Many offshore heavy boats run them.

All the weight is in the back, engine, batteries, fuel, so yeah it's gonna set lower in the back regardless whether it's a 2 or 4 stroke. You ask the difference between 2 and 4 strokes and you got some answers. As far as it being more expensive to operate, that's simply not true. 4 strokes use less gas and oil and no one can prove different. They do cost more but more manufacturers are hanging them on the back of their boats for a reason. Even the cheap Tracker boats are using them.

Apples and oranges. 2004 4-stroke and the Sho. Ridicules comparisons. That 2004 is an absolute bulletproof efficient workhorse....but heavy & not know as "performance" motors for bass boats.

That's absolutely true and I should have differentiated the two. Mine is a SHO but referring to the OP's observation that the boat sits lower in the back, that's happens regardless of the engine especially if it's a 250.

I'm on my last boat it's a 2 stroke , if I was a young man it would be a 4 .

ok thanks.

I have an 89 Yamaha 100 hp 4 stroke on the 89 18'Skeeter Aluminum. It runs like a clock. I also have a 2015 150 hp Merc 4 stroke on my 18' Ranger, runs great.

You got 1 out of three right.
Oil and fuel costs are less. Especially on a Yamaha Sho
Sho weighs less than their 2 stroke counter parts. Older ones are heavier. But workhorses.

Cylinders cannot be repaired on a Sho but can on regular 4 strokes. But if you buy a motor based on that you are buying scared. So don't buy it.