For one thing if you want a brand new 2 stroke in that hp range you better hurry. I have only followed mercury but I'm sure the other makes too will not be building carburated 2-strokes in 2006. Mercury makes an EFI 4-stroke 25 hp and 30hp. I own 3 motors. 125 2stroke, 15 4 -stroke and a 25 2-stroke. My favorite is the 25 2-stroke. Yes it smokes a little. However it has never let me down. The 15 4-stroke weighs the same as the 25 2-stroke. So weight is a factor. The 15 needs more maintenance. Oil, changes. valve adjustments etc. The carburated 15 is the most cold blooded of the 3 motors. I am glad it is an electric start! However when it warms up it is sweet. It is quiet, smooth idling and no smoke! It purrs when pulling crawler harness' for walleyes! 4-Strokes are better on fuel. I can troll St Clair a full day, 1/2 throttle.(12 hours) on about 12 gallons of fuel pushing an 18 ft boat 5 mph in a heavy chop. But that includes out and back with the 125hp. (gas hog) I bought the two motors for less that I could get a 115 4-stroke. The new EFI 25 or 30 4- stroke looks good. Turn key starts, no smoke and good fuel economy! It weighs about 60 pounds more that my 25 2-stroke though. My advice would be to go with an EFI 4 stroke. Hope this helps
Looking at a Yamaha. I can get them locally. Do all 4 strokes offer exhaust below the water, no smoke. Smoke bothers wife and I big time. The work boat at the Ontario lodge had a 30 Yamaha 4 stroke that was maybe a year old and boy it was quiet. Yamaha offers 4 models in their 4-stroke category. Thanks.
finlander,
I have a Yammy 60 4stroke, very fuel efficient,extremely quiet no smoke, starts first turn from May through November, just change oil about every 100 hrs. and that takes me about 10 minutes (very maintenance friendly)
Not to bash Merc but my longtime friends bought a lodge on the Upper French River a few years back, they run 25 2cyl and 30 4 stroke Mercs on their 14 camp boats, they have had nothing but problems with them and not from hitting granite.
Are you going tiller or counsole? Yamaha's 25 4str. is only 37 lbs. heavier than their 25 2 cyl. And their tiller handle configuration is rumered to be the best in the industry. I dont believe Yamaha makes a 30 anymore?
good luck.
Jason
finlander,
If you are looking for a complete muskie rig ready to go there are two Tuffy Esox Mag boats with 5-foot live wells sitting idle on trailers up at Montague. One has a 50HP 4-stroke and the other has 60HP 4-stroke, both are tillers. The 60HP has only had one tank of gas through it. Contact me or Kingfisher for details.
Hi Finlander, 17 foot brand new 60 Suzuki 4 stroke ,one tank of gas thru it. It is a steal!! hes talking around 12 grand . Its never been fished!! It was an insurance deal . If you would like to see this great boat give me a call . We can run up to Montague and you can look it over. He just might sell it for a song . Galvanized roller trailor . Trust me you wont find a better buy anywhere if you want a great tiller boat. Kingfisher
Hello,
I am not sure about your posting rules here, but you may be interested in a motor I have for sale. I purchased it on 04-18-00. The motor has a 98 manufacture tag. It was sold to me as a 99. I used it for a year and a half or so. It has been run a few times since and it runs great. Take the cowling off and it looks new. The exterior has a couple of scratches, but hey, don't we all! The manual is a little beat up but not really bad. I did drag it around quite a bit in 2001 on the PMTT trail, but that was the last I used it. The motor has a short shaft. I am selling for $1000.00. If you are interested e-mail me at ** you do not have permission to see this link **. The motor is here in Escanaba and would have to be picked up. If I was in the wrong with the posting regulations, no hard feelings from me if you delete! Have a great day!
GREG
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