On Thu, 01 Apr 2004 07:50:29 +0000, Bob Askey wrote:

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

I'm also "going 4-stroke" with my 12-ft skiff. I'm guessing the outboard
industry will be going where motorbikes went 20 years ago: no more
2-strokes (at least on road bikes).

If the boat is rated for 125hp, the hp (or torque: 4-stroke OB's are about
the same rpm as 2-strokes) won't be a problem. Check the weight of a
2-stroke 125hp motor: any motor weighing less than that should be OK. I'd
guess you'd be fine with 70-80hp 4-stroke. Just checked: A Merc Optimax
(2-stroke) 115hp is 375 lb, the 75hp 4-stroke is 386 lb "dry" (add 10 lb for
oil). I'd say that's close enough!

I'd also question the choice of a "bigfoot", though..

Lloyd Sumpter
"The Tin Boat" Mirrocraft 12