Outboard advice???

well i'm looking to buy a Jon boat this year. If i buy a new one i'm looking at the Lowe Roughneck 18',Grizzley 18' or a Alumacraft 18'. (leaning toward one with a built in fule tank) I do have a 48hp Johnson that i may put on boat for a few years and get a new motor when this one dies...

What are pluses/minuses for 4 stroke mercury,honda,yamaha,and 2 stroke evinrudes????????

I've always been loyal to Johnson/Evinrude but what has happened to there models? They aren't Johnson only makes a few smaller hp models and Evinrude make the bigger Hp one's?

Re: Outboard advice???

if you take care of that 48spl, it will out live you. personally i'm not going 4 stroke till they make me.

Re: Outboard advice???

Plus's are fuel economy.

Minus's are expense, weight, complexity, price(true of any new motor though).

I'm with Tasha, no 4 strokes unless there is no choice, or the most killer deal on earth came my way.

Re: Outboard advice???

If you are thinking of a new 2 stroke give the Evinrude
Etec a close look.I think at this point they are the best choice out there and there are some fine motors competing with it.
There are 3 motors in the range you have 40/50 and 60 hp.I think 240 lbs.
One thing you may want to keep in mind is to get
a 20 inch transom if possible even if you have to get your new motor early.That 20 inch transom will add some capacity as well as convience if there is no splash well.

Re: Outboard advice???

hooterville,

The current lineup of 4-strokes and pressure-injected 2-strokes (E-tec, Tohatsu & Nissan TLDI) are all good motors. The 2-strokes tend to have better low end torque, and the 4-strokes are quieter at the lower rpm's. Depending on the size of the motor, weight many not be a factor. For example the Yamaha and Mercury 60 horse 4-strokes weigh 248 lbs, the E-tec 240 lbs.

You can find all sorts of threads arguing out which is the best, with no known winner! If I was buying one today, my decision would be based more on who has the better service available in my area.

Also, I have the Lowe Roughneck 1760MT (new in 2002). The first couple years I ran it with my 1999 Suzuki 25HP 2-stroke. It was just fine for 2 people and gear, but was a little underpowered for 3 or 4 people and gear. I got a new 50HP Yamaha 4-stroke 2 years ago, and it pushes it just great (boy, is this O/B quiet & fuel-efficient!).. On my Lowe, it does need the 20" shaft. I'm not sure what your 48 is? If it is a long-shaft, you should be ok ..........

Re: Outboard advice???

my outboard is a 1990 48hp longshaft ....bought it virtually new in 1992 and it's been trouble free...... been a good one except for the tilt cylinder that was junk from the factory....

Re: Outboard advice???

Sounds like you ought to give it a try .... might be just fine and last you awhiled