I decided either triton or ranger aluminum 18.8 ft.

Now to the engine....

115 - 2 stroke or 4 stroke?

4 stroke check the crankcase oil then gas and go. They are quieter too.

thanks

With an aluminum 18-19 foot boat, a 115hp will send you flying. Depending on how fast you want to go, you could probably save some bucks on a smaller motor, say 75hp to 90hp.

Will also save you bigger bucks in fuel economy.

Id say 100hp four stroke will make that aluminum turn into a rocket!

I use a 25HP Nissan 4 stroke on my 16 ft Alum and is more than enough speed for me.

i have a 18 ft G3 witha 4 stroke 90, fully loaded it runs about 35 to 39. in reality that is as fast as most need to go.

Get the most HP it's rated for.

I have a Tracker 190 with a 115 Pro XS, it runs 55 at WOT.

Thanks all for the great feedback

4 strokes are quieter, slower, and require winterizing (more expense). 2 strokes require mixing oil/gas, are faster (for same HP), slightly louder, and simpler to operate/maintain. Usually the more you run a 2 stroke the longer it will run with virtually no care...basically its a toss up, just kind of depends on your intended use.

Two strokes have been the mainstay in the outboard industry for almost 100 years and from a performance standpoint they still are. In the same way automotive racing passes down its R&D to the designs the manufacturers use in production models, the same is true for the outboard industry and nothing as of this date will change that fact since the modern 4 stroke was introduced in 2002 or so (with the exception of Honda 1997).

While there are some who will swear by the 4's there are in fact still being tweeked upon trying to overcome the issues they have had since there introduction. Who do you know that spends thousands of dollars on a piece of equipment that wont defend their decision to the very end.......not many. When your main selling point is "Just buy the extended warrantee and don't worry about it for 5 years" you know your starting out on the wrong foot. If you want the real low down on something don't ask the buyer ask the certified mechanics who have to work on them day in and day out, and I don't mean the ones who are affiliated with a dealership or particular manufacturer either. Pick a certified independent who doesn't have a dog in the fight and no manufacturers reputation to defend, then and only then will you get your answer.

If I were forced to get a 4 stroke it would be a Honda. They have much more time in the development of the 4 stroke technology and in MHO have a much better grip on the design than any other current offering. Until then I will stick with the one who brought me to the dance over 40 years ago and what is still dominating the waters regardless of what is marketed on the inter-webs and on TV.

I had an 18 foot Lowe, 180W Stinger, with a 90 hp mercury optimax and it would top out about 40 mph

Go with the two stroke while you can still buy em and just talk louder.

Here is the real deal.
[img]http://www.g3boats.com/uploads/sites/4/f...0-06-26-alm.pdf[/img]