I'm looking at a 2007 17' Tracker boat with a 2007 model 2-stroke Mercury motor on it. I had a 40hp like it a number of years ago and didn't have any problems other than the lower unit went out, an expensive repair.

I could get a new Tracker with a 25hp 4-stroke for about the same price. Or, I could buy another kind of metal boat and get a 2-stroke Honda, Yammaha, something different from a 2-stroke Mercury.

I'm a bit confused on the best route to take when looking for a used, but late model, metal boat. Any thoughts or comments will be appreciated.

The fact that your merc was a 2 stroke had nothing to do with the lower unit going out. As far as I know, lower units can crater on any brand. You were just unlucky or didnt maintain it.

I prefer 2 strokes for many reasons...but others prefer 4 poppers.
If the 2007 Model with the Merc is a good deal, take it to someone and have it checked out before you buy it.

If they wont allow you to do so....walk away.

The 2 strokes will also be lighter in weight.

The 2-stroke Merc I'm talking about has an extended warranty on it, so I feel good in that regard. The main thing I was wondering about was if I should buy a 2-stroke, or if I should look for a 4-stroke instead. Sounds like both of you like 2-strokes. I like the fact that they are lighter.

If you are serious about the 4 stroke test drive/pilot it. The 40 hp 2 stroke will have a lot better hole shot, the 4 stroke should be a lot quieter.
15 horsepower on that small of a boat will make a lot of difference.
They have a service department at the Mercedes store, anything mechanical can and will break.

There are a lot of metal boats to look at. For myself, I would look at the welded ones.

If I were looking for motors, I would stick with Mercury or Yamaha and go with a 2 stroke and get one with the max HP the boat is certified for.

Good things to keep in mind as I look and ponder, thank you guys.

i got a 40 merc sips gas and will run circles around that 4

It's the lack of valves, valve covers, camshafts, lifters, timing chain, oil sump, etc. that make a 2-stroke lighter and about 100 times less complex than a 4-stroke.

It's the fact that each 2-stroke piston has a power stroke on every crankcase revolution that makes it better out of the hole.

I may be a little biased................

I prefer 2-smokes but I don't care for oil injection. A smaller engine with premix would be great.

On that size motor I would prefer a two-stroke. After my recent experience with a 150 four-stroke ........well needless to say I'm a little ill right now.
http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbt..._15#Post3658697

For me, the fact that 2-strokes are MUCH less complex (as jtexas pointed out already) is the deciding factor. Yes, higher fuel burn, but the lower repair and maintenance costs more than outweigh that. Plus, you can do a lot more of the maintenance on a 2-stroke yourself, further lowering cost of ownership. Yes, 4-strokes have their advantages, but 2-strokes are just a much more elegant engineering solution imo.