2 Stroke or 4

[jwg253]

I am about to purchase a new boat. I have never owned a boat. It is 20 ft Fish & Ski. I want to fish & ski. Motor options are many , but I am down to Yamaha 200 V-Max 2 stroke or Yamaha 225 4 stroke. Any guidance on the motors would be appreciated. Fuel usage, power to do what ever, ect.

 

[BruceAML]

Re: 2 Stroke or 4

As the owner of a 2 stroke Yamaha I would have to suggest that you get a 4 stroke motor. They are quieter, use less oil and have less emissions. They are slightly heavier than the equivalent 2 stroke. The outboard industry for the most part is moving to 4 stroke engines. For example, in England, Yamaha 2 strokes may only be sold for commercial use. The world is moving to 4 stroke outboard engines and if I were you I would move with them.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 2 Stroke or 4

Stick with a 2 stroke.Compare the service schedule 4 stroke is extensive.probably includes cam belts oil & filter changes possibly valve adjustment among others.Compare moving parts 2 stroke has maybe a dozen the 4 stroke
more like a dozen per cylinder.As far as moving to 4 stroke the 2 stroke Evinrude Etec has been approved for lake Tahoe where 2 strokes had been banned.Generally burns cleaner than most 4 strokes.I think you will find more companies moving to the Etec type technology.The Yammy 200 2 stroke will perform close to the 225 4 stroke and outperform in some cattagories.
As far as gas usage the 4 stroke gph (Gallons per hour)may be slightly better than the 2 stroke but generally balances out over the total performance statistics.
and the 200 will use less gph.than the 225.

 

[Scout Sport Fish]

Re: 2 Stroke or 4

Id go with the 4 Stroke. I have a Yama 130 2 stroke which I like but I work with the 4 strokes daily at work and I love them.

 

[JRJ]

Re: 2 Stroke or 4

Buy the 4-stroke and have fun.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 2 Stroke or 4

personal opinion? I would buy a carbed 150 . bullet proof.
the HPDI 200 is a bit heavy on maint as well.
the difference between the F200 and the F225 isnt worth noting, I would go with the F225 if the hull is rated for it.
oil changes are quick and simple with Marine rated 4 stroke oil availible at places other than the dealer.
timing belts are supposed to be replaced at 5 years or 1000 hours.
simple to do and the F200/225 motors are non-interfernce engines. means if the belt somehow breaks the pistons clear the valves.
the F250 is a torque monster, way better at low end than the F200/225.
the routine mint on the F200/225 is achivable with basic hand tools. its not hard at all.
cleraning the vapor seperator should be left to a trained tech.
but so far the F200/225's seem to hold up very well in the face of saltwater and abuse. I have one customer that has over 45 hours above 6000 RPM and about 400 above 5000 RPM.
he has 2 throttle settings and seastate is irrelavent. only guy I ever saw break the hull on a 33 grady.

 

[vx225mota]

Re: 2 Stroke or 4

The 4 stroke 200/225 is heavy and probably produces no more torque at fish/ski speeds than a 150 carb Yam.

The HPDI engines have needed a bit of maintenance (google Yamaha hpdi series 2 and see what Yamaha claim to have improved).

I almost second Rodbolt's advice re carby 150.... He was joking I bet but only because of economy, smoke and a little extra noise. Otherwise the 150 will be every bit as nice and powerful as the four stroke 200 for most uses except 5000-6000rpm where the four stroke will finally make its rated power and give better top speed (225 four stroke vs 150 carb). But how often do you run that hard?

Ask Rodbolt which motor he - a Yamaha Master tech bought.

I don't know what your boat really is or what type of fishing and skiing you plan on doing. HPDI series two should be better than s1. 4 stroke is OK too.

A quiet, economical, light weight, smoke free two stroke engine with all the torque and reliability of the Yamaha carb engines is now available but the brand starts with E....

As a fish/ski person with 225 hp on a 20ft boat, you are probably only pulling kids or one skier or running around. You probably won't miss the torque of the two stroke as you have such a big motor on a smallish hull. A 225 two stroke will be quite a bit stronger at normal RPM ranges but the 225 four stroke would be very nice for you, if the motor is not too heavy for the boat.

 

[carter140]

Re: 2 Stroke or 4

i recently switched from 2 to 4 stoke on my 19' grady what i forgot to think about was dealer support, good luck

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 2 Stroke or 4

well lets see, I bought a 22 seapro with an 04 HPDI 200. ran it once and sold the 200 for 8500, bought an F150 . my 18 fish and ski is powered by a 175E-tec, 9.9 jonny on the jon boat and a 351 ford in the shamrock. I also have a 130 yamaha and a 112 evinrude I just finneshed overhauling.so I am not particularly brand concious. they all seem to work well but some have quirks. I am currently working up a 5.7 volvo. dont really know why just fell into a deal.
the 130 yamaha got its first seatrial yesterday, went from wanchese NC to colington,a little bar called the Blue Crab, and back.
about 20 miles.

so what your question should be is not really 2 or 4 stroke but what will suit your needs and wallet.

 

[jwhitm]

Re: 2 Stroke or 4

i've got a yamaha 150 2 stroke on a seapro 195f/s and it preforms great.it has no problem with tubes.skies,ect . hole shot is pretty decent and top end is right around 47- 49 with 4 to 6 people loaded with fueland days supply

 

[CS-Doug]

Re: 2 Stroke or 4

2 stroke.

I have been reading about the Yamaha's "making oil" that means the gas getting into the oil and thinning it down increasing the volume. In fact I have a 4s F200 and it had so much oil it was leaking out. It seems to be more of a problem with the 115 and 150's but the V-6's do it also.

Google yamaha making oil and see what you get.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 2 Stroke or 4

making oil is usually a rigging issue or a customer issue. its rarely an actual motor issue.
an overpropped EFI 4 stroke will make lots of oil.
if the engine is not capeable of turning 6000 RPM with the load it has that day will make oil.
if a t-stat is stuck open it makes oil.

 

[swantzilla]

Re: 2 Stroke or 4

I have both, a C115 2 stroke and a F250 4 stroke. The 2 stroke takes some coaxing to start where the 4 stroke starts immediatly, everytime. The 2 stroke smokes and it is annoying when I am going slow. The 2 stroke is noisey. The 4 stroke I sometimes cannot hear it running. ( I have learned to check the tach before starting the 4 stroke to see if it is already running)