2 stroke or 4 stroke (how much, home, cost of)

[MikMal]

Originally Posted by MikeM8560

I believe 4 strokes cant lay on they side or one side.
A small motor like 9hp id rather have a stroke lighter and a. Chance it will be removed as on a dinghy ect.

Might depend on the manufacturer. I have a Yami 15 HP 4-stroke that I can lay on one of its sides or on its back. It even has a little sticker on it that shows what sides it is ok to lay it on.

[MartyGras]

Originally Posted by Macgregorsailor51

JSYK all small Merc's since 2006 m.y. have been made in CHINA on the same line as IIRC Suzuki ? But Made In China for sure...

Not all some were made by Yamaha but that may be pre 2006. I know Mercury opened their own China based manufacturing facilities in 2003. It's a huge market

[Macgregorsailor51]

So I spent a moment to look and see and


Mercury Marine's primary business is outboard motors. Mercury Outboards, 30 Hp and less, are made by Tohatsu in Japan.[SIZE=2][1][/SIZE] Mercury Marine builds 40, 50 and 60 horsepower outboard motors in Suzhou, China.[SIZE=2][2][/SIZE] Mercury also manufactures engines over 75 horsepower at its facility in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin in the United States.




So I had that mixed up that's for sure .. Its the 40 50 60 HP made in China and NOT Suzu but Tohatsu that makes under 30 hp.. Tohatsu is HUGE all thru Asia and much of SA..

[SeaRay35]

Originally Posted by MartyGras

Not all some were made by Yamaha but that may be pre 2006. I know Mercury opened their own China based manufacturing facilities in 2003. It's a huge market

What isn't made overseas today lol

[HarborRat]

Tohatsu makes Mercury and Nissan small outboards....most parts are interchangeable and Tohatsu's are cheaper by a few hundred $. I had an 8hp 4stroke Tohatsu and it was great. Have a 50hp 4 stroke fuel injected bigfoot Merc now and it is great....the early to mid 2000's 4 stroke Mercs and Yams were a joint venture, so they are called Yamamercs.

For the original question, go with a 4 stroke. Much better mileage and much quieter. Will probably be a little heavier but it's worth it.

Mac, if your 8hp 2 stroke is a Yami I will buy it from you. I have a friend looking for one (if he still is). PM me if it's a yami.

[kyjake39]

Thanks for the replies.I would use the boat for fishing the harbor and some canal fishing at times.Would be using the ramps at Spring lake,El Jobean and beach park.Have found some good deals on boats with Tohatsu motors and other brands made by them.Have owned boats for over fifty years,all 2 stroke.Think in the future 2 stroke outboards will not be allowed on the water.Later model 4 stroke advertise or recommend that they can be used with ethanol which would be more economical
and less trouble than using rec fuel and mixing.

[MartyGras]

Originally Posted by kyjake39

Thanks for the replies.I would use the boat for fishing the harbor and some canal fishing at times.Would be using the ramps at Spring lake,El Jobean and beach park.Have found some good deals on boats with Tohatsu motors and other brands made by them.Have owned boats for over fifty years,all 2 stroke.Think in the future 2 stroke outboards will not be allowed on the water.Later model 4 stroke advertise or recommend that they can be used with ethanol which would be more economical
and less trouble than using rec fuel and mixing.

If by ethanol you mean E85, there is no savings to be had by using E85 fuel. Yes it costs less but because there is less energy in a gallon of E85 it would need to be $1.00 or more below the cost of regular gas just to reach the break even point on cost per mile

[HarborRat]

I use ethanol all the time. Any outboard made in the past 15 or so years can use it, 2 or 4 stroke doesn't matter. There are a lot of myths out there, and plenty of uneducated or just shady mechanics out there blaming it for everything. But it is fine to use as long as it doesn't sit around for a very long time (8-12 months)....and I wouldn't go back and forth between ethanol and rec fuel, that can cause problems IMHO. Pick one and stick with it.

[SeaRay35]

Ethanol problems are mainly in boats that sit. Any boat with lack of use will have problems.

[JERSEY MAN]

I have 2 boats with a 4 stroke 150 Yamaha engine, late 2000's. IMPO it is one of the best motors produced. Fuel efficient and reliable. Combined over 1000 hours and only a water pump change on one. The Key West sat in florida for 18 months and started up within seconds. I add some Stabil regularly to the engines. Flawless motors if you ask me.