I'm still trying to iron out all the details on my upcoming purchase. Other than the obvious difference in the two, is there a reason to pick one over the other?

If I buy an Alumaweld,I get 2 stroke Mercs. With a NorthRiver,I get 4 stroke Yamahas. Getting the Yamahas is a no brainer if the jet works well on a 4 stroke.

Getting the North River is also a no-brainer in my unbiased opinion

I was amazed how much more boat I get with a NR. They are a really sweet looking boat.

My experience has been that the four strokes do not work well with a pump unless you get one that is extremely large for the application. A 130 four stroke will barely work on the average 19 foot sled. Barely is not what you want in a sled, You want ample power to carry a load and to get on step quickly. Unfortunatley there is no 175 hp four stroke. If your gonna get the v6 your lookin at 200+ hp. I would not get a four cylinder, four stroke pump unless I was getting a small sled <17 feet. Regardless of 2 vs. 4 stroke, I would Stay away from the merc. Yeah I know the manufacturer really wants to sell you one but I would insist on the yamaha.

UNfortunately, given the pollution and noise, 2 strokes are where outboard jet power is at. The four strokes are much heavier for a given power. When I last checked, you paid about a 200 lb weight penalty for going 4 stroke. That's like adding another person to your boat. You'll notice it.

The jet unit is the same, regardless of the engine. They're all made by San Leandro MFG, as far as I know. It just matters how big the power is on top of them, and the weight they are pushing.

If you are looking at the 19 ft North River hull, I have the 12 degree hull, and love, love, love it. I got it with the 175 hp sportjet, and love that as well. I have had outboard sleds, and they certainly give you a bit more room. But the sportjet has power out the kazoo, and the overall boat has worked very well for me. I fish the sound, the Sky, the chehalis, and the Columbia. I and my friends couldn't be happier.

The sportjet is neat because it weighs the same as an outboard, but has the efficiency of an inboard. Outboard jets get about 70% efficiancy for a given power, compared to a prop, inboards get about 95%. The trade off is the motor housing in the boat. I strongly suggest you try one out, just so you know.

My 2 cents. I know that there are those that believe sportjets are an evil pox on the earth. I just like mine.

Good luck and have fun buying your new boat.

I'm looking at the 18' Scout. The 4 stroke Yami 115/80 is 415lbs. The 2 stroke Merc is 348lbs. that's only 67lbs,but it all adds up. For the most part it'll be me and one or two other guys.

That doesn't seem like too much weight for the 4 stroke. The 115 is not going to make you the fastest boat on the river, but it will probably be adequate for 2 or 3 guys.

I suspect that the scout hull is kind of the north river standard bottom design, which is really good. They handle very nicely and precisely. Should be a good boat, hope I don't have to race you to my holes.

Don't wory about racing me to any holes,I don't know many yet.

HBP...don't know if this will help but...I am certainly in the minority on horsepower but know what works for me.I have the 16 Revenge windshield.I am rigged with a 60 Yami jet.I have yet to reach full power as it is still breaking in.There's only two of us in the boat 99.9% of the time.I can easily plane at 14kts and top out at 28kts for now.Perfectly adequate for me.Also transoms carry ratings as you know and alot of people exceed those.That's fine unless something happens and the insurance company calls you on it.I love the 4 strokes quiet,fuel efficient,pleasent odor I have had a Hewes a Wooldridge and an Alumaweld in the last 12 years and while I liked certain things about all I really enjoy the ride of the NR