DuckSouth.com

Say Captn', why don't you just go ahead and run that checkbook by my house some time this week? [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

For duck hunting, I would go with the 2 stroke. It is lighter, more powerful, and less expensive. Those new 4 strokers are heavy and look like they might sink a 15 foot jon boat. Looks like a potential hernia.

If you are just going to fish, or have a very large duck hunting boat for big open water, then I would go with the 4 stroker.

Maybe in the future the manufacturers will figure out a way to make the small HP (25 hp or less) motors much lighter for small duck boat applications. I do not think they are there yet.

Wildfowler, you might want to consider getting out of your present line of work and open a marine store...you are THE authority on outboard details!

Hambone, I was thinking the same thing about Wildfowler..He is an engineer you know, systems engineer..Just messing w/ you Wildfowler..

Well I'll put my 2 cents worth in. I own a garage and am a mechanic (quit laughing Harley) I have worked on both 2 stroke & 4 strokes b-4 and I own both a 2 & a 4. I prefer the 4 as it is quieter, faster and not as easy to flood, more maintaince free. But when I put the 2 stroke up at the end of Jan. I dont have to do nothing to it. Come next Nov. pull the crank no more than twice and its ready to go. The 4 on the other hand when you store it you better run all gas out of carb. or you will be taking it apart cleaning gums and deposits in carb. that fall if its to be stored any length of time. Thats the only problem i have had. Except 4's cost more.I dont get to fish much and if i do I usually go with friends so my motors arent run at all during off hunting season. You might give that some cosideration
All depends on you and your needs.

When my boat was stolen, it was toting a 25 Evinrude 2 stroke engine that I will assure you was faster and lighter than any 25 4 stroke engine. When I was originally looking for a motor, I tried a Yamaha 15 4 stroke. I loved the fact that you couldn't hear it idle in the water, but it was heavy thus causing the boat not to handle well with only me in it. Also it wasn't very fast even with the boat unloaded. GPS clocked on a 15 ft. Duracraft at 22mph. I know the Evinrude was 10 more horsepower but it clocked around 32mph loaded with gear. Also know a guy across the river with a boat nearly identical to mine with a Honda 25 four stroke that wouldn't plane with 3 adults in it.

I recently bought a 2-stroke, oil injected, tiller steering 50 hp Yamaha, had originally intended to buy the 4 stroke, but when I got there to pick it up the guy asked me if I didn't want to consider the 2 stroke, said it didn't matter to him he'd sell me either, but the 2 was ~ $3,900 and the 4 was 5,300 and that he preferred the 2 for his own use..he said other than being noisier and less fuel efficient, the 2 was lighter and had more power.. well basically what other people here are saying, but for that price difference I can buy some ear-plugs...

Well I believe I am going with the 2 stroke, And the main reason is $$$$$. I just can't see paying an extra 600-1000 bucks for a quiet more fuel effiecent engine, that weighs almost twice as much.

I just bought a barely used Yamaha 25hp 4 stroke at a great price. Man it's fabulous. No mixing gas, no smoke and great gas mileage to boot!! According to my GPS my 15'Duracraft runs within 1 mile an hour of my old two stroke 25 Johnson. Weight is a factor, but the four stroke I bought weighs only 25-30lbs. more than the two banger.
My feeling is that I will not ever buy another 2 stroke.

Hey Judge,

Which TN lakes have banned 2-stroke engines?

I have a 2-stroke Johnson 25. It is great on my 15 ft boat. I always carry extra plugs and a plug wrench...because one time I had the plugs foul and that was a very long ride having to idle all the way back to the landing...My question is for some of you that have more knowledge than I about these motors. Did the plugs foul b/c I idled around to much going slow or improper fuel mixture? I have heard both will cause it. I now have two tanks and keep a constant mix in each. Just wondering if there is any other things that I can do to prevent that from happening again. I did learn my lesson though and keep those extras with me. Thanks for any input.

Dr. Duck,

Why not start a new thread, I would like some info, being a first time boat owner, on that subject. Last year I did my fair share of paddling in a loaner boat and would like to avoid that this year at all cost.

I do like you idea about keeping extra plugs and ect in the boat. I think I might put together a little tool box with an assortment of the small things.

Will do Cookm. Have a good weekend.