So I screwed up and went looking at new boats today. One that I really like doesn't have a motor on it. Price is great. Worth finding a motor for.

I'm sure at some point in the past, there's been a real informative discussion on the pros and cons of 2 stroke vs. 4 stroke.

Also, how about Jet vs. prop?

Thanks in advance.

To me it is pretty much like this if you want performance then get a 2-stroke, if you want economy then you want a 4-stroke.

On the prop vrs jet, props are more efficient, if you NEED shallow water cabability the jet is good, but for a normal boat prop would do you better.

matt

2 stroke is lighter and USUALLY has a much better power to weight ratio. Also much easier to work on. 4 stroke much quieter, cleaner, and fuel efficient and usually idles a little smoother. I have a 2 stroke mercury and I love it. It's just about bullet proof. All depends on what you want your boat motor to do and what you want to be able to do to your boat motor. Don't really think you can go wrong either way. It's all about what you want.

What are the factors involved in you wanting a jet drive?

You can always get both if you have the money, not a hard to switch back I am told.

I'm considering jet drives so that I can worry less about depth, and stumps. I'm just trying to make sure I have all the info to make the best choice. I don't want to jump neck deep into a boat, and then regret a simple choice. If a jet offers huge advantages, I'd go that way.

Let me give you a little info and see if this helps you.

A jet drive is much more tailored to shallow water running with minimal chop on the water, great if you want to run on plane in 12" or less of water such as a river.

You do not want a jet drive if you plan on the majority of your fishing being on east texas lakes. You will sacrifice performance and fuel economy when you get one. You lose 1/3 rated horsepower when you put that jet on, if your motor is not near the max horsepower for the hull you will not like that. You lose fuel economy because you have to use more throttle to get around with the jet.

You and I are fairly close geographically. If you are thinking about the jet for the Sabine River I wouldn't really look at going that direction, when that river bottoms out like it is now there are too many places it won't get you over anyway.