Yes, the larger the hp the heavier the torque will be on that aluminum
transom. Smokercraft makes a nice boat, very practical. I had one, 16 footer
with a 40hp Johnson on it, the boat would do about 40 miles per hour. It
also trolled for days without a miss. Very light and easily transported.
I have owned and operated about a dozen outboards and never had a fourstroke
so I cannot help you there. I do know that the new fuel injection boats are
very very good. They do not pollute like they used to, they have that
exhaust stroke figured out. No carbs and usually have a computer in the
works therefore the engine has to start. Injector oil is a pain but part of
the program. With the fourstrokes there a lot more moving parts on the
engine so more opportunity for breakdowns.
Why you excited about the Mercs? I have never owned one myself and I prefer
the Johnsons or Evinrudes myself. This may be a dealer thing though.
What ever you do, at the last second when you are ready to buy the boat, and
the dealer is rubbing his hands in anticipation for that check or debit
card, offer him 30% less and reduce his margins by that much and after he
cries and objects and you walk away, he will phone you at home and of course
chisels that 30% down to somewhere like 10% but you stick behind your guns
and maybe go to 25%. You will be more satisfied and get better value. He
doesn't want to keep inventory that long so he has to make hay while the sun
shines. He will do it. Negotiate.

Smoker Craft makes a good boat though. With a 17 footer, myself I would like
to see a 70hp Evinrude on it, nothing more, not much less. When you get 4
guys on the boat you will notice the 50hp wont be enough but if it is always
only going to be you and a light load, the 70hp would be a nice match. Easy
to maintain, work on, fix.
Depend how much also you use the main engine for trolling. If your not going
to use a kicker, then the smaller horsepower the better. Find a balance or
trade off.








"Bob Askey" wrote in message
m...
I am looking at a new 2004 Smokercraft Stealth 17foot. The boat is
rated for up to a max hp of 125. The dealer package is a 2-stroke
50hp Merc which is not adequate. This boat is fully loaded with two
livewells, consoles, windshield, built in gas tank in floor. So it
will have a fair amount of weight with 4 adults in it. I will mainly
use it locally Williamette, Columbia River, lakes and bays.

I want a Merc 4-stroke for two main reasons, less gas and quiet. Plus
they don't burn oil another added expense and smell. They are telling
me a Merc 60HP Bigfoot would do the job. I am not sure that is enough
HP. Then they tell me that anything larger is too much weight in a
4-stroke that I need to go with a 2-stroke.

At this point I am really not sure what to do. Please help.

Thanks,
Bob