Looking for Small Outboard and Have Questions

[tunanut]

thanks for the replies. still haven't pulled the trigger, couple more questions. for a boat that will be used maybe 2-3 times per month, and likely much less in winter, are there any reasons to get a two stroke over a four stroke or vice versa? is it worth going 2 stroke just to keep the weight down a bit on the jon boat?

[Capt. Debbie]

Big difference in price and weight. EFI vs carb. The weight difference isn't all that much about 30 lbs on sub 10hp motors You're ice in your cooler and its contents will eat that up.

Two stroke you have the DIY fuel mix. Not all that much extra work as you don't burn much fuel. My 25EFI gets about 8 mpg at planing speed.

I move my oversized fuel tank extremely forward to get better balance with my fat a*s in the back. (it's only a 14 foot aluminum Mirrocraft) I went crazy with a larger 12 gallon tank that lasts almost all summer. I also have a separate RACOR filter/ fuel-water separator installed too to keep the fuel cleaner.

I had a 9.9hp (8 years) & 20hp (14 years) both two strokes. When I ran nothing but Stabil treated hi octane fuel and I had no problems related to storage. Nor with dried out cooling pumps. ALWAYS FLUSH O/B with hose after use. In 2008 traded up to a 25EFI which at 180 lbs with electric start and generator is over 2x the weight of my Merc 9.9 two stroke.

With boats... real life and weather sometimes ruins our plans. It rains on days off, kids championship game, etc. So you usually never go out as often as you'd like. But with Stabil ( or any good treatment) the boat is always ready for the long sleep even if your last trip in August 1st.

And don't forget new USCG regs (as of 4/1/21) require the O/B kill switch be attached to you if you get up to planing speed.

Originally Posted by tunanut

thanks for the replies. still haven't pulled the trigger, couple more questions. for a boat that will be used maybe 2-3 times per month, and likely much less in winter, are there any reasons to get a two stroke over a four stroke or vice versa? is it worth going 2 stroke just to keep the weight down a bit on the jon boat?

[tunanut]

Thanks captain frank

[Capt. Debbie]

Glad to help. Been in small O/Bs since the 1980's. On Sea Tow boats there's nothing smaller than 200hps.

I'm married to Mercuries. I know a lot of people can NOT STAND them. Different experiences I guess.

Originally Posted by tunanut

Thanks captain frank