One other consideration that I even hate to think about, but it's out there looming...At some point in time 2 strokes may be illegal to run in public waters. It's already that way in some places in California, and like it or not, it's going to creep into more and more state's regulations.

I doubt any boat would be getting rigged with one b4 the release date. These people have a super tight lid on it, if it was in a factory ,on a boat being shipped, pics would leak out. I suspect they are talking bout a Verado. I mean has anyone ordered a 200 or 225 new 4 stroke?

I heard something along the lines of this recently.

Apples to Oranges comparison even if they had the same HP

It has nothing to do with being a 2 stroke. Its about emissions and for what its worth Evinrudes Etec's are cleaner burning then most 4 strokes. Mercury's problem is their 2 strokes don't meet the future requirements.

Exactly

That could be a giant problem.

I guess. I should know that my 15yr old Skeeter is still a more advanced boat than a 2018 Nitro. Lol

I don't worry about which boat is faster or comes out of the hole quicker. I fish.

........but normally mine does it better key on to key off than 95 percent of the boats on the water.

Interesting thread and opinions. I do beleive 4 strokes are the future like it or not. I am looking at a future repower with a 4 stroke mainly for fuel economy, noise and future restrictions on 2 strokes.

I can't imagine going back to a 2-Stroke after running a SHO the last 6 years. No oil reservoir or the mess that comes with it. Quiet enough to talk to your partner without yelling and sips the gas.

4 stroke outboards benefit from 100 years of research in automative 4 stroke engines. 30 years ago when emissions were not a concern, nor gas mileage a 2 stroke for an outboard was a natural choice. It was easy to make a ton of power in a very simplistic design. Most outboards were inexpensive smaller units and were not used for 5000+ hours on commercial vessels. Today the story really has changed. In order to meet modern emissions standards a 2 stroke outboard has to have a ton of additional complexity. The etech G2 is a very clean running powerfull engine but when you compare it to a 1972 chrysler they couldn't be further apart. That complexity adds weight, reliability issues, and requires in some cases a larger alternator to run. A 2 stroke engine naturally has an inferior bearing design to that of a 4 stroke engine. A pressurized babbitt bearing design is superior in longevity to the roller balls used in 2 strokes and the full ring support in a 4 stroke yields to a more stable bore. For most recreational users the life span of the bearing does not make a huge difference. With 4.6L of displacement mercury could build a 300HP engine removing some of the complexity that the SHO has (VVT + plasma sprayed cylinders). If they can do this in just over 500 pounds it will be a real killer with a very smooth running (small cylinders X 8) engine that is light and highly reliable. That same engine slightly de-tuned could be rated at 250 to be put on the back of a bass boat giving that same pro-xs feel with a 4-stroke.

I had the same thought as somebody else above so I called Jaco marine. Pro XS 4 stroke, 4.6 liter 8 cylinder. They have no more 2 strokes in stock, new Pro XS 4 stroke comes in at about $600 premium above what they were selling 2 stroke for. They have price sheet but either no motors or can�t ship yet, didn�t think to ask that. Comes to the market May 4th...so if kens boat delivery is in may he knows what he�s talking about.

Also, on the Yama issue. That was not planned, my understanding from someone that knows is there was a miscommunication between US and Japan and they underbuilt something in the neighborhood of 15,000 Engines....far from some �master� strategy. Mercury has had 4 stroke in the works, but when 1 of your 2 major competitors can�t deliver motors then your inventory sells way faster than you forecast 18-24 months ago when you planned production. None of them can just jump production up that many motors. My guess, based on that, is that Merc probably intended to have 2 strokes in inventory as they started 4 stroke production, but stock got gobbled up due to Yama�s screw up.

Well there you go, I believe Jacos over anyone else.