If I switch from a 115hp 2 stoke to a 115hp 4 stroke, where will I
feel the difference in performance? Top end? Load carrying capacity?
Both? Other?

I'm considering a 115hp Johnson 2 stroke (carbs) vs a 115hp Yamaha 4
stroke. Yamaha doesn't offer a 25" shaft on its 115hp 2 stroke or I'd
consider that too.

I've run a 115hp Mercury 2 stroke on my boat and it performed well. I
don't like the 2+2 design Merc though soooooo.... decision time.

I mostly carry two people but if I carry four, that's an additional
400 lbs give or take, and I don't want to lose much zip. My 115hp 2
stroke handled if ok but..... 4 stroke? -I dunno- I don't really
care about top end as long as I can keep it over about 30-32 mph.
With two people, 35mph is do-able with my 2 stroke and I would't lose
much speed adding two more people.

Anyhow, my only experience with 4 stroke is my Honda 20hp on a skiff
and it just doesn't seem to have the load carrying capacity of a 20 hp
2 stroke. Frankly, I doubt it can keep up on top end with a 20hp 2
stroke either.

Anyhow, any opinions appreciated.

TIA,
Rick

In my experience, the 2 strokes are stronger accelerating - better for
pulling skiers. 115 hp is 115 hp no matter how many strokes, so top end
should be close. Usually, but not always, the r stroke is easier on fuel,
but it depends on how you use your boat. Personally, for my application, I
am having a hard time choosing between a 150 hp Optimax or a 150 Yamaha 4
stroke. The Opti is hell for strong on the low end, but the Yamaha is
awesome on gas and at the top end.
tp
wrote in message
...
If I switch from a 115hp 2 stoke to a 115hp 4 stroke, where will I
feel the difference in performance? Top end? Load carrying capacity?
Both? Other?

I'm considering a 115hp Johnson 2 stroke (carbs) vs a 115hp Yamaha 4
stroke. Yamaha doesn't offer a 25" shaft on its 115hp 2 stroke or I'd
consider that too.

I've run a 115hp Mercury 2 stroke on my boat and it performed well. I
don't like the 2+2 design Merc though soooooo.... decision time.

I mostly carry two people but if I carry four, that's an additional
400 lbs give or take, and I don't want to lose much zip. My 115hp 2
stroke handled if ok but..... 4 stroke? -I dunno- I don't really
care about top end as long as I can keep it over about 30-32 mph.
With two people, 35mph is do-able with my 2 stroke and I would't lose
much speed adding two more people.

Anyhow, my only experience with 4 stroke is my Honda 20hp on a skiff
and it just doesn't seem to have the load carrying capacity of a 20 hp
2 stroke. Frankly, I doubt it can keep up on top end with a 20hp 2
stroke either.

Anyhow, any opinions appreciated.

TIA,
Rick

"ottertailfamily" wrote:
having a hard time choosing between a 150 hp Optimax or a 150 Yamaha 4
stroke.

I wish somebody offered 4 stroke "loaners" to use for a trip or two so
we'd know for sure what we're getting before plunkin' down the bucks.
I don't like rolling the dice with that kind of money. That's why I'm
leaning towards 2 stroke. I already know what it can do.

Rick

I think that the new generation larger 2 strokes (100hp+) might be the way
to go in the future.

I like 4 strokes around 100hp and under. They are queit and do get great
fuel economy.

Have you looked at the Evinrude Etec?

Many are Yamaha (2 or 4 stroke) fans though for dependability.

--
Bill Kiene

Kiene's Fly Shop
Sacramento, CA, USA

Web site: www.kiene.com


"ottertailfamily" wrote in message
...
In my experience, the 2 strokes are stronger accelerating - better for
pulling skiers. 115 hp is 115 hp no matter how many strokes, so top end
should be close. Usually, but not always, the r stroke is easier on fuel,
but it depends on how you use your boat. Personally, for my application,
I am having a hard time choosing between a 150 hp Optimax or a 150 Yamaha
4 stroke. The Opti is hell for strong on the low end, but the Yamaha is
awesome on gas and at the top end.
tp
wrote in message
...
If I switch from a 115hp 2 stoke to a 115hp 4 stroke, where will I
feel the difference in performance? Top end? Load carrying capacity?
Both? Other?

I'm considering a 115hp Johnson 2 stroke (carbs) vs a 115hp Yamaha 4
stroke. Yamaha doesn't offer a 25" shaft on its 115hp 2 stroke or I'd
consider that too.

I've run a 115hp Mercury 2 stroke on my boat and it performed well. I
don't like the 2+2 design Merc though soooooo.... decision time.

I mostly carry two people but if I carry four, that's an additional
400 lbs give or take, and I don't want to lose much zip. My 115hp 2
stroke handled if ok but..... 4 stroke? -I dunno- I don't really
care about top end as long as I can keep it over about 30-32 mph.
With two people, 35mph is do-able with my 2 stroke and I would't lose
much speed adding two more people.

Anyhow, my only experience with 4 stroke is my Honda 20hp on a skiff
and it just doesn't seem to have the load carrying capacity of a 20 hp
2 stroke. Frankly, I doubt it can keep up on top end with a 20hp 2
stroke either.

Anyhow, any opinions appreciated.

TIA,
Rick

"Bill Kiene" wrote:
Have you looked at the Evinrude Etec?

Yes, except I compared two Johnsons (same thing). The dealer pointed
out that repairs on the carbed engine will be same as always. But for
Etecs, he recommends buying the extended warranty. Not that they'll
break down any more often, but when they do, their critical components
are much more expensive to replace. That, plus the initial higher
price, put me off Etecs for now. It ain't over though cuz I don't
think their initial cost is any higher than Yamaha four stroke. And I
don't know about repair costs of a four stroke yet. Ya gotta wonder
about all those extra moving parts.

Thanks,
Rick