I am going to purchase a new 2008 G3 188C, 18ft pontoon. I am trying to decide on a motor. Based on what I want to spend I need to make a decision between the 50HP 4 stroke and 70 HP 2 stroke (both Yamaha). I do not know much about boat motors so any input would be appreciated. Thanks.
I have also read that fuel mileage used to be much worse on the 2 strokes, but that with the newer engines there is not too much difference. Is that correct? The motor on this boat will be in a big motor box with the sundeck pad on top, I've got to think that would cut down on some of the noise?
Any engine, two-stroke or four stroke will burn fuel at roughly 10% of its rated horsepower at wide open throttle. So a 50 will burn 5 gallons/hour and a 70 will burn roughly 7 gallons/hr. As for noise comparisons, four-strokes are definitely NOT dead quiet. In fact at higher throttle settings they are closer together than one might suspect. The "apparent" difference is in the type of sound each motor makes. While the actual noise level may be nearly same, the "type" of noise a four-stroke makes can lead you to think it is much quieter. Since many areas of the country are beginning to ban carbureted two strokes I would think twice about buying one. On a "V-hull" boat I prefer a two stroke. On my 18 foot Misty Harbor I prefer a four-stroke and mine is powered by a 40 HP Suzy. Great combination. I suggest you seriously consider the four stroke for future resale if no other consideration.
that Yamaha 70 is what we refer to as an "old" 2 stroke. Its still a Carbed Engine that likes to drink gas. GREAT engine but not very thrifty. I really depends on what YOU are going to use the pontoon for, the only reason to go with the 70 2stroke is if you plan on tubing or possibly attemting to water ski behind it. The 50hp 4 stroke will use 3x less gas below 1000 rpm if you like to put around at 3-4mph, probibly less 1/2 the gas in the 1000-4000rpm range too. This is coming from someone who went from a older 40hp 2 stroke to a EFI 70hp 4 stroke and noticed a HUGE difference in the fuel usage, the 70hp uses FAR less gas in EVERYTHING I use it for. The 40 sucked 4 gallons an hour pulling a tube @ 15mph (WOT) The 4 stroke uses 2.5-3 gph doing the same thing. If it was a 50hp EFI 4 stroke Vs. 70hp DFI 2 stroke then I would go with the 2 stroke but it not. I would almost have to say the maintenance on the Carbed 2 stroke would be just as much if not more than the 50hp EFI 4 stroke. You have 3 carbs that need to be clean out every couple years or so and that takes just as much time as setting the valves on a EFI 4 stroke.
It really depends on what you want out of the boat, If it's speed, then it's the seventy. If you are cruising and want quiet, more fuel efficiency, and no smoke, then it's the fifty. Query, why are you limiting yourself to just these two? A 60 0r 70 4 stroke will give you the best of both.
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I've fished for half of my life, the rest I just wasted.
The 75 4 stroke would be what I'd want in a perfect senario, but the cost difference is signifigant between the 50 & 70 4's. We do plan on pulling a tube some, but not skiing. I was concerned about the possible ban of the 2 stroke motor as well. I'd hate to buy a motor that is outlawed in 5 years.
*Update*
I ended up purchasing a 2009 model with the Yamaha 75HP 4 stroke. I think we will be very happy with the setup. In the end the resell vaule was a big factor to me in the 2 stroke vs. 4 stroke decision and since I waited a couple of weeks I just saved a little more money and made up the difference to get to the 75HP. We pick it up this Friday and were headed straight to the lake from the dealer. Thanks for the input, I'm sure I will have many more questions to follow .
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