Buying a motor for my capehorn bayboat.....

[Peter P]

I am buying a new motor for my 18 foot capehorn bayboat. We need a good motor for saltwater and sking. I don't know much about outboards. I'm looking for a motor that will last me a while, that is dependable. Any suggestions? -Peter

 

[JB]

Re: Buying a motor for my capehorn bayboat.....

Howdy, Pete. For skiing you want something very close to the rated hp of the boat. For salt water you want a motor built for salt water use (stainless water pump, etc.). Dependability in modern 2 stroke engines differs more from user to user than from make to make. The differences are in care and maintenance. <br /><br />I believe that EFI 4 strokes are more dependable and will last longer, but many disagree with me. If there are EFI 4 strokes that fit the correct power range for your boat, one of them would be my recommendation.<br /><br />Red sky at night.<br />JB

 

[Peter P]

Re: Buying a motor for my capehorn bayboat.....

I hear that four strokes are sluggish and do not accelerate like the 2-strokes, is that true?

 

[JB]

Re: Buying a motor for my capehorn bayboat.....

My Suzi DF70 is certainly not sluggish compared to 2 stroke 70s I have had on the same model boat. It might lose a drag race by a little bit. It weighs about 70# more than an OMC 70 triple. In conversations with Honda, Yamaha and Merc 4 stroke users among fishermen at LOTW I heard nothing but enthusiastic satisfaction with them as fishing motors. I don't think I talked to anyone using 4 strokes for skiing, but LOTW is not a skiers lake.<br /><br />The advantages of 4 strokes, particularly EFI 4 strokes are just overwhelming when you are on the water in the real world. You will hate writing that big check and you might lose a hole shot race, but if those are your highest priorities you aren't going to consider 4 strokes in the first place.<br /><br />Red sky at night.<br />JB

 

[evin300]

Re: Buying a motor for my capehorn bayboat.....

Will they really last longer? I see lots of outboards from the 1950s,60s and 70s hanging around on these boards. But I rarely see a 4-stroke IO from that era hangin around here, even if you just count the 70s when IO has become prevalent. Isnt it a little to early to make a statement about durability?<br /><br />Wonder how easy it is to pull one over with a piece of rope? I know that my 90hp evinrude could be started by hand in case of emergency. <br /><br />Wonder how well they run with a dead cylinder or two? I know my 2-stroke can get me home. I believe the reason bieng is that I can accomplish my power 50% more efficiently, therefore she runs when the chips are down. <br /><br />I must admit that I am not up on the current 4-stroke outboards, but I have seen the crankshaft of a 2-stroke, and the associated roller bearings that accompany every single moving part. Last time I read about 4-strokes they were using converted car engines, complete with a "cast" crank and "bronze" bearings. Has that changed?<br /><br />Does the increased weight of a heavy 4-stroke really pay for itself in fuel efficiency? (especially in applications other than fishing)<br /><br />No doubt I can see the argument "for" 4-strokes with smaller trolling of fishing motors, but as the size increases, say 90hp or higher I just cant buy it. I mean this is alot about the E.P.A. and some manufacturers are solving it with 4-stroke technology, OMC corp. went at it with DFI, and now that Bombardier has taken over, I hope they finally succeed! <br /><br />I know of no other engine that will ever match the simplicity, power to weight and durability of the modern 2-cycle engine.<br /><br />ya,ya, less smoke, smoother blah,blah 4-strokes! Count me evin300 forever! I have seen the promised land of the 2cycle!<br /><br />Can ya tell I like my classic motor?

Mike

 

[evin300]

Re: Buying a motor for my capehorn bayboat.....

By the way, no disrespect meant to any 4-stroke owners, just taking the other side of the debate. I know I can learn alot from interchanges like this, and I am sure to get an earful!

 

[TONY H]

Re: Buying a motor for my capehorn bayboat.....

Peter<br />I think all brand of outboards are doing pretty good as far as quality. As someone said, it is in the maintainence. I am not familiar with the 4 stroke crowd. I hear rave reviews from some. The exception would be the weight issue. You may need trim tabs on a boat with a four stroke where you didn't with the two stroke.<br />I grew up with Mercurys, Merc Cruises and mercury inboards with worked great for years.<br />Back in 1987 I bought a Yamaha because mecurys were having problems with going to unleaded fuels. I still have the Yamaha and it has never been back to any dealer/ mechanic. It IS flushed after ever outting to run the saltwater out. In the winter, the carbs a drained,I run anti freeze thru the block incase there is any water pockets that can freeze and I figure there is some anti rust chemicals in the anti freeze, I spray the outside of the engine with oil to keep the moisture off of it and I spray the cylinders with two cycle oil instead of fogging it out. I replaced the water impellar only once (the water is very clean so I'm not sucking gritty silt past the pump). It just runs. <br />But if I had any other engine, I think I would still have it. The Yamy is quiet though, **** quiet

 

[Peter P]

Re: Buying a motor for my capehorn bayboat.....

Hey, you guys helped me alot. I don't know a whole lot about outboards but i'm learning.