I'm thinking about buying a boat sometime in the next few months. I was wondering what y'all's opinions were on a 4 stroke motor versus a 2 stroke. I'm thinking of the new EPA reg's in 2006. Should I save the money and get a 2 stroke or just bite the bullet and pay the extra $$$ for a 4 stroke? What I'm looking at is a 16 foot Tracker with a 40hp motor. The upgrade on the motor is about $1800 (from 2 stroke to 4). I'm not sure if I will still have the boat in four years, so I'm not sure if it's worth the extra money. I'm also thinking about resale if I do decide to go with something different in a couple of years. Will it be harder to sell a 2 stroke as 2006 gets closer? I'm also contemplating just getting a used boat (a lot cheaper than new) and maybe just get a new boat in a couple of more years when the price of the 4 strokes has come down some and maybe I can afford a bigger nicer boat. I know this is kind of long. Thanks for reading and responding.

Kevin

Kevin the 2006 epa requirements will only affect the 2006 model boat engines. In other words only the 2006 year model engines will have to meet the 2006 EPA requirements. Anything manufactured before that time will not have to meet the 2006 EPA standards, if they had to meet the 2006 EPA standards then no one would by an engine that could not meet those standards, and the engine manufacturers would be out a lot of money for all of them they still have in their invetory that do not currently meet the 2006 EPA standards.

Kevin-

There are some 2 stroke engines on the market that meet the 2006 emission standards (ex. Yamaha HPDI), but I'm not sure if they make these types of motors in the range you're looking for (40 HP?).

Their is a current article in this month's issue of Bass & Walleye boats comparing the 4-stroke Yamaha 200 hp to the 200 hp HPDI two stroke on identically equipped Skeeter center console boats.

The 2-stroke fared better gas mileage wise at the optimum cruising RPM and was marginally quicker at WOT.

Alot though is going to depend on how you use the boat, ie trolling vs WOT down the lake.

Patperry,
I have the issue of Bass & Walleye Boats that you are talking about. The comparison article that you mentioned compares 200hp Yamahas. One is $14k and the other is $16k. I can't afford that much for just the motor. I'm looking to spend $11-12k for boat, motor and trailer. With a 40hp I'm not real worried about blazing top speed or anything. It's ONLY 40hp. I just want a motor that is easy to maintain and be reliable.

Gigglesnort,
I have a Mercury brochure and they don't make a 40hp motor with DFI. They only make a classic and 4 stroke. I'm not sure about Yamaha or any of the other brands.

Lynyrd,
The issue of Bass & Walleye Boats that was mentioned previously has an article about the 2006 regulations. Nowhere in it does it say that current motors will be "grandfathered" past the new emissions standards. Out in California, there are four lakes (Tahoe, Cascade, Fallen Leaf and Echo) where all carbureted, EFI, or Rotax fuel injected 2 strokes purchased prior to January 27, 1999 as well as any engine not meeting the EPA 2006 and CARB 2001 standards are banned.

I just want to go out and fish. I don't want to have to deal with the extra headaches involved with the EPA. And I certainly don't want 2006 to come and there be regulations that prohibit me from boating on certain lakes like they are already doing in California. I also don't want to have to spend an extra $1800 dollars if I don't have to. Man what I could do at Bass Pro shops with $1800 in my pocket.............

Ok folks I dodn't get to read the article but I will tell you one thing. If a 2 stroke of the same hp is getting better mileage than a 4 stroke it is running so lean I have to wonder about the life expectancy of the motor. I will tell you that a 4 stroke ,allbeit heavier and more expensive, is cleaner and quieter. I have to believe a 4 stroke has more torque and therefore should give you a better hole shot. Top end should be about the same with proper prop. Of coarse these are only assumptions on my part and not based on much fact. And, as you know, to assume makes an a** out of U and me.

Kevin,
I have a GIII with a Yamaha F100. Had it 2 years, would not trade it for any other engine. This 4stroke is quiet, low vibration, no smoke, and great if you like trolling. Yamaha makes 30h to 100+.
Check out http://www.yamaha-motor.com

Stripermagic,

Quoting directly from the article (Bass & Walleye Boats-May 2002). Boat is a Skeeter ZX2000 bay boat with a 200 HPDI and a 200 4-stroke Yamaha engine.

0-30 mph:
200 HPDI - 6.6 sec.
200 (4) - 7.2 sec.

Top Speed:

200 HPDI - 47.1 mph
200 (4) - 46.8 mph

Range/Fuel Economy:
(best observed)
200 HPDI - 232 miles@3500 RPM,4.3 MPG,30.3 MPH
200 (4) - 216 miles@4000 RPM,4.0 MPG,30.7 MPH

@ RPM's above 4500 the MPG's were the same.
@ RPM's from 1000-2000 the 4-stroke had better fuel economy but from 2500 RPM the HPDI had the advantange except at WOT where the 4-stroke had a 2/10 better MPG average.

Noise: 4-stroke does have a competitive advantage ranging anywhere from 8 db at idle to 4db at WOT, but at comparable boat speeds above 10 MPH the sound level was imperceptible.

Cost:

200 HPDI - $14,400.00 - 468 lbs. 2 yr limited warranty
200 4-stroke - $ 16,820.00 - 583 lbs.
3 yr limited warranty

Ok. I am sicerely impressed. Like I said Those were my observations from 40 years around motorcycles, snowmobiles, aircraft and so on. What excites me is that the proper prop application can equalize the higher torque of the 4 stroke to the high hp of the 2 stroke. Add a great exaust and proper port timing to a 2 stroke and it can be like supercharging a 4 stroke.