I am considering repowering my Boston Whaler. I am weighing the pros and cons. 4 stroke is cleaner burning, more dependable than what I have , but heavier and I understand higher maintenance. Plus i do beleive quite expensive. My existing 88 hp Evinrude is probably 30 years old, it slow starts, smokes at start up (significantly). Dies when at idle for any length of time and then some times extraordinarily hard to restart. I t does not have hydraulic tilt, mixing fuel is a pain, but it paid for so. So if you were me what would you do? If I were to repower 3 rivers the place to go? Thanks for ideas.

Fours stroke and don't drive by Bayside Marine! Talk to Todd.


Fishy

Sounds like anything would be better than what you have, I'd be scared to untie the boat.

No brainer. 4 stroke. You'll wonder why you waited so long.

+100

These have put Evinrude back on the map.
If you don't need to jump out of the hole, the 4 strokes are worth a look.
It's nice to be able to jump out of the hole, though

Aunty, it's a power thing.
Women just don't understand.

I hate the pitch and volume, but it's from a certain individual here, where I am.

That counts, Mustang Sally

Can you open it up on that little island with out hitting the water ?
Sorry, couldn't help myself
I'm thinkin' a friggin' Cobra would put you right in the drink

Give 'em the money, for cryin' out loud
Watch out for the woodie, though

Women aren't the only ones who think the sound of a 2-stroke motor is one of the worst sounds that mankind has ever created, whether it be a jet ski or a boat motor.

Fish on...

Todd

Ring, ning, ning, ning, ning, ning ?
The smell of 25:1 in the morning ?
No ?

I hope he can get healed up, AM.

Just bought a new boat and powered it with a Suzuki 175 4stroke. Came with a 6 year warranty!! Yami was only 3 so I couldn't really pass the Suzuki up. I moved to SC a year ago with Boeing and bought my 21' Key West CC 211. Taken it out 60 miles one way a couple times to get into the Blue and white marlin, mahi and wahoo. I had a 150 merc saltwater before. Loved the hole shot of the 2 stroke, 4 strokes take a little bit to wind up but I like not having to worry about fuel mixture anymore.

Yeah, and nothing can replace the black cloud or oil slick following a 2-stroke around all day, either...or the trail of gas station receipts.

Fish on...

Todd

If your after performance at the HP your have now E-tec if your want performance as to acceleration and low maintenance cost. 4 stroke ( your choice not a lot of diff in the top brands ) of a quite motor but ain't no rocket.

You might want to sign in to the THT BB with this question. Lot more knowledge on power and hulls around there and more diverse.

If I was gonna repower that boat I would find myself a remaining stock Yamaha 2 stroke 115 V4. Virtually no maintenance, pretty good fuel economy, and WAY cheaper than a new 4 stroke or Etec.

I bought one a couple years ago with less than 100 hours on it for $5k. Hung it myself and on my Olympic it burns about 8 gph at cruise. New Yami 115 four stroke roughly 10k, Etec 11k. How much gas and oil can you buy with that $5000 in savings?

Besides, nothing sounds better than a 2 stroke running on the ear muffs in the driveway!!

We just put one of those on Addicted's boat a few weeks ago...and it is a pretty nice motor, and a lot quieter than I expected, to boot.

Fish on...

Todd

I like my e-tec. It is not loud. It does not smell. It has clean emmissions. It gets great fuel economy. It trolls down to around 500 rpm and does not load up.

To answer the original question......depends what you want. If saving money is an issue, then 2 stroke....if impressing your friends is important, then 4 stroke is your go-to motor.
Forget the "save money on gas" argument if you buy a 4 stroke, because your outlay of cash in the purchase kills that dead, but the quiet aspect is not arguable.
If weight is an issue, 2 strokes are lighter.
As I recall, you left your boat so unattended a while back that the steering cable froze up, so if you are only going to use the boat infrequently, maybe a smaller investment in a motor purchase is prudent. I only have 2 strokes for main power, and some 4 stroke kickers. If you are a troller and plan on using the main motor as your trolling motor, only a four stroke will do that.
Good luck with trying to keep from throwing more money down that "fishing boat hole".

Thanks for the tips, I am going to look at pricing and slab I am that guy. My boat lives in a different state from me now. I am really looking for dependability and a quality long term investment.