Hi,

Thanks for all the great info. I sent an e-mail to the dealer I am
working with and got an e-mail similar to what some of you have
mentioned. The advise was that the weight of the 4-stroke upgrade
wasn't really all that much more than a 2-stroke.

I called and we talked about the options. It was recommended to me
that the 4-stroke 115 EFI would be the best bet. Dealer told me the
60HP would be adequate but not always. The 115 Merc would be more
than adequate and would perform in most situations. I would have the
extra horse power if needed. You don't have to go full throttle find
a comfortable speed. One other point was that if you have to go full
throttle to feel you are going fast enough then the motor is not
enough horse power. I did have a 16' Lowe with a 50HP with a jet
pump. I liked the boat but always felt it was a bit too slow.

Bob

(Bob Askey) wrote in message om...
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