Which small 4 stroke is best for the $?

[Trapper]

I am looking at four stroke motors for a 14' row boat. The price range seems to be quite large. If you were to get a 15hp to put on a small utility, which motor would you recommend? I have heard great things about the Honda products but they are priced so much higher that most of the other brands that I wonder if they are worth the extra dollars. Do you know if some of the lesser known brands such as the Nissan would give the same reliability as the better known brands such as Honda and Yammaha? What about Mercury? I owned a 2 stroke in the past but did not like it. Have Mercury improved in their 4 stroke technology? Please give me some guideance.

 

[CAPTBLACKSMARINE]

Re: Which small 4 stroke is best for the $?

I THINK IF I WERE BUYING ONE MY PRIMARY CONCERN WOULD BE THE DEALER FIND A GOOD LOCAL DEALER THAT STANDS BEHIND HIS PRODUCT MOST ALL OF THE SMALL FOUR STROKES ARE GOOD ENGINES AND HOLD UP WELL. BUT I DO NOT SEE WHERE HONDA IS WORTH THE DIFFERENCE.IF IT WERE ME I WOULD GO WITH SUZUKI,YAMAHA,OR EVIN/JOHN BUT OUT OF THE THREE I WOULD BE SHOPPING LOCAL DEALERS REPUTATIONS MORE SO THAN THE MOTORS. NO MATTER WHICH BRAND YOU CHOOSE IT IS A MACHINE AND WILL EVENTUALLY NEED SERVICING. SO THE EXTRA MONEY YOU SPEND NOW CAN REALLY PAY OFF DOWN THE ROAD.

 

[JB]

Re: Which small 4 stroke is best for the $?

Howdy, Trapper.<br /><br />I agree with CBM for the most part.<br /><br />If you take local service out of the equation the Tohatsu/Nissans seem to be best value.<br /><br />Don't take local service out of the equation unless you are prepared to service it yourself.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[singerjr]

Re: Which small 4 stroke is best for the $?

Hi Trapper,<br /><br />Check out the Mercury Bigfoot four strokes. (9.9,15,25,40,50,50) They have a real beefy lower end similar to a mid range even the 9.9 unlike the spindly standard lowers of all makes.<br /><br />The larger props on these motors are closer to a larger anti-cavitation plate witch helps to keep air out and traps water in providing better thrust, torque and speed for the HP. The shaft and gears are about 30% larger and prop 20% larger.<br /><br />Comparing website to website specs the Honda 25 and the Merc BF 25 WOT (max RPM) for Honda = 275 lbs of thrust and Merc 400 lbs of thrust.<br /><br />This info is a little dated I had compiled it when I was considering getting a new 25 for a jon I own. I think the specs were for the 2002 line though. Check it out don’t take my word for it.<br /><br />It's worth looking at either on the net or better at a dealer. This was my first REAL look at the 4 strokes. Being used to the sound and smell of twos, The first one I looked at was Honda and when the guy started it up inside the bldg I was impressed quiet no smoke, very nice motor. Mercs also quiet and no smoke but that heavy duty Bigfoot has a lot going for in since most people will push their smaller boats pretty hard, at least I have.<br /><br />Never got either motor decided to keep what I had and spend the money on another boat (so I wouldn't have to push the little ones as hard)<br /><br />One other issue I see mentioned here a lot is the dealer support. I’ve not had many problems with my dealer. But I’ve read about nightmares with some dealers. So the general consensus of the board is that this is a major factor in what brand you purchase.<br /><br />Sorry I can’t give you first hand on the water info or long-term durability performance but it’s first hand research info for what it’s worth. Maybe someone else will have something to say about the Bigfoots, good or bad.<br /><br />Good luck

 

[BBogey]

Re: Which small 4 stroke is best for the $?

I've been happy with my Nissan so far, but then I don't have that many hours on it yet.<br /><br />I'm very much a motor moron, so I needed something reliable. I think all the 4-strokes out there are good motors so I asked the ONLY dealer in my town what he serviced and Nissan was one of them...<br /><br />Good Luck.

 

[JB]

Re: Which small 4 stroke is best for the $?

Hi, Trapper. While I agree with most of what Capt. U has to say about the Bigfoots, what he doesn't mention (because the dealer never mentioned it to him) is that putting a bigfoot on a small boat would be like putting a truck transmission in a Miata.<br /><br />Bigfoots, and other makes' High Thrust engines are made to drive pontoons and to serve as kickers on BIG boats, all at LOW speeds. The big gearcase creates a lot of drag at high speeds. It is not suitable for small boats that want to run at higher speeds with minimum drag.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[singerjr]

Re: Which small 4 stroke is best for the $?

Oh yea JB... well... ...<br /><br />Your mother wears army boots! <br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><br />JB's right Trap checking the web-site it is a fantastic motor but way too heavy for your boat. Although I would still consider the 9.9 with a little more research for the right small boat. <br /><br />I should have paid more attention to the type and size of your boat. I just remembered what a great inovative idea for the small motor class that seems to get left behind when it comes to tech advances.<br /><br /><br />A great 21st Century philosopher once said:<br /><br />"Take this with a grain of salt. Heck, I've never even seen your motor......so I'm only guessing....." (cw)schematic <br /><br />(Hope I don"t get sued for using that )

 

[Forktail]

Re: Which small 4 stroke is best for the $?

One thing about the high thrust's (either good or bad depending) is that they have longer shafts. They usually come in 20" or 25" where most would be 15". Yamaha has a sweet 8 hp 4-stroke with either electric or manual start and even a nice electric/hydraulic tilt. Only 83 lbs.<br /><br />I think a 25hp is too much for a basic 14' boat, especially if you want to troll. 15 would be great too and the 9.9 probably perfect.<br /><br />The 4-strokes in this range are going to be up to 60+ lbs heavier than the 2-strokes. This could make a difference on a 14' row boat. You may want to opt for the 2-stroke. For the same weight you can get more power.<br /><br />The Nissan's are probably great. I've heard nothing bad. Hey, Cabela's sells them!

 

[garycunn]

Re: Which small 4 stroke is best for the $?

Trapper,<br />I recently purchased, on line, an 18hp 4 stroke Tohatsu. I haven't used it yet and I am concerned a bit about the weight for my 14ft aluminum. It weighs in at 115lbs which is about 30 lbs heavier than a two stroke.<br />I see many commercial fisherman in southern<br />Maine using them and I have heard good things<br />about Tohatsu. I have the online site with<br />a good price if interested?

 

[capecoralbill]

Re: Which small 4 stroke is best for the $?

I have a Honda for sale; 2001 15hp electic start, 15" short shaft model with approx 20 hours on it, I got it new in Sept, 2001. It is in perfect condition, just had the dealer do the 20 hr check on it. 2.5 years warranty left on it. $2,100.00, plus freight. It weighs approx 103 lbs. I will demo it in Cape Coral Florida anytime. Contact me at capecoralbill@hotmail.com. Or 941 573 9282. Thanks Bill

 

[John from Madison CT]

Re: Which small 4 stroke is best for the $?

Check out www.onlineoutboards.com <br /><br />They sell Tohatsu's (which are Nissans)<br /><br /><br />John