30 hp 4 stroke vs. 40 hp 2 stroke

[heatherjoy]

I am going to re-power my 15 ft V- hull center console this spring with a new engine, I am going to purchase some sort of Tohatsu and have narrowed it down to these 3 choices: <br /><br />Tohatsu Prices from my local dealer: <br /><br />40 hp 2 stroke 158 lbs (not sure what the dealer wants, retail is $4300) <br />40 hp TLDI 2 Stroke 210 lbs $4300 <br />30 hp 4 stroke 150 lbs $3300 <br /><br />The TLDI is too heavy I think so unless someone thinks otherwise, I dont think its a good choice. <br /><br />That leaves the 40 hp 2 stroke and the 30 hp 4 stroke, both somehow weigh almost the same. <br /><br />My question is will I notice much of a difference between the 2 motors in terms of top speed? My old 30 hp from the 80's did about 20 mph on the boat, I expect 25-30 mph from a brand new engine of these sizes, sound right? <br /><br />The other factor is fuel, the 40 hp 2 stroke uses 4.5 gallons an hour while the 4 stroke uses only 2.5 gallons!! <br /><br />So I guess the only thing that I wonder about is the performance of a 4 stroke 30 compared to a 2 stroke 40. <br /><br />I hate to updrage to a brand new engine and not be happy with the performance. I sometimes have 3 people in the boat cruising the beaches for the day and I need more than 15 mph from it (thats what I get with my current 30 hp). <br /><br />Any thoughts? Thanks everyone.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: 30 hp 4 stroke vs. 40 hp 2 stroke

My thoughts are that the 4-Stroke would be the way to go, but the other side of that is, I think you will be under-powered and unhappy with the performance. I am leaning that way with the 40 HP also, with 3 people aboard, you may have trouble even getting on plane. Just my thoughts...

 

[heatherjoy]

Re: 30 hp 4 stroke vs. 40 hp 2 stroke

Hmm, well it gets on plane with 3 people in the boat with the tired 30 hp im using, just doesnt go much beyond that (15 mph).<br /><br />The boat is rated for a 50 hp engine however a 40 pushes these at 30-35 mph usually, so I think my 30 hp engine is tired, alone I only see 22 mph from it.<br /><br />So is the difference between a 2 stroke 40 compared to a 30 hp 4 stroke fairly large?<br /><br />Thanks again.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: 30 hp 4 stroke vs. 40 hp 2 stroke

22-25 MPH is about right with a 30 HP on there with only you aboard. I would expect it to do around 35 MPH with a new 40 HP 2 Stroke. I don't think you will see much, if any, improvement with the 30 4-Stroke over the old 30 HP. I'd personally go with the lighter 40 2-Stroke...

 

[JB]

Re: 30 hp 4 stroke vs. 40 hp 2 stroke

Hi, Heather.<br /><br />I am in agreement with all of the input above.<br /><br />Unless something is wrong with your 30hp 2 stroke (being "old" is not something wrong) a new 30 hp anything will not gain you anythng except a lighter wallet.<br /><br />You don't say what boat you have. That is important. What HP it is rated for is also important.<br /><br />I also agree that 30hp is probably underpowered for your boat, but I don't think you are going to get into the mid 30s with 10 more hp. I calculate more like 28-30mph on the same boat, same load, same conditions.<br /><br />So.. . based on your listing I would go with either 40hp 2 stroke. The TLDI will save you a bunch on gas, smoke less and probably cost more. Don't worry about 50lb. A 6 gallon portable tank of gas weighs that much.<br /><br />Be sure to get power T&T. Being able to trim the engine under power will gain you top speed and save you gas.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: 30 hp 4 stroke vs. 40 hp 2 stroke

We thank you for the replys! The boat is a homemade 15' V Hull center console that we built from plans obtained at bateau2.com <br /><br />It shows a 30 hp engine being ideal, and a 50 max.<br /><br />The boat is very very light, someone built a heavier version of this and even with all the extra weight, his 40 4 stroke brings about 33 mph.<br /><br />Another man built this same boat and put a 50 hp on it, and he gets 50 mph on his gps from it.<br /><br />These might give better ballpark figures.<br /><br />The "old" 1986 Mariner 30 seems very weak, it may be propped wrong, however we are still looking for a new upgraded engine (electric start, oil injection, ect).<br /><br />So from the sounds of things so far we problably would be happiest with a 40 hp 2 stroke in terms of power. I really wish I knew how a new 30 hp 4 stroke moved this boat.... 2.5 gallons an hour sounds really nice.<br /><br />Thanks to everyone, please keep the thoughts comming.<br />-John/Heather<br /><br />PS- heres a picture of one of these boats, its not ours but it is identical: http://www.bateau2.com/gallery/OB15/photos/OB15_inwater.JPG

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: 30 hp 4 stroke vs. 40 hp 2 stroke

Also guys keep in mind that the 4 stroke 30 is lighter than the 2 stroke 40 by 8 pounds. This comes from Tohatsu's website.<br /><br />4 stroke 30 = 150 lbs<br /><br />2 stroke 40 = 158 lbs<br /><br />2 stroke 40 TLDI = 210 lbs

 

[Forktail]

Re: 30 hp 4 stroke vs. 40 hp 2 stroke

If you've got a Yamaha dealer near by, check out the 4-stroke F40. It's one of the lightest at 181 lbs. $3799 (for tiller version) to $4499. 5-year warranty offer.<br /><br />Yamaha's 2-stroke 40 will weigh 189 lbs and run you $2999. <br /><br />Here are some price references to go by...<br /><br /> http://www.edsmarinesuperstore.com/yamaha.htm

 

[walleyehed]

Re: 30 hp 4 stroke vs. 40 hp 2 stroke

I would think dealer support would be an issue as well, and with that being said, I don't know much about the Tohatsu's, but I believe the Yamaha would be a very good choice for dealer support, and parts availability..

 

[james082273]

Re: 30 hp 4 stroke vs. 40 hp 2 stroke

I bought a 15' semi-vee not to long ago and had the same delima. My boat is a heavy gauge all welded aluminum jon boat that weighs about 400 lbs dry. Should I go with a tiller Nissan/Tohatsu 30hp 4-stroke or a carb 40hp 2-stroke. The heavier and more expensive TLDI wasn't even an option because of the cost and weight. And when you add in electric start and PT&T to the 30hp 4-stroke it actually cost more than the 40hp with same.<br /><br />I went with the 40hp because performance was important to me. All I can say about this motor is it is a screamer on my boat. Even with a fairly descent load I never need more than half throttle to plane out. Full throttle take offs are pretty scary. OBTW my boat is rated for a 75hp w/ console.<br /><br />My only complaint is the idle is a little rough. Hopefully it will smooth out as it breaks in further. Seems like a great little motor.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: 30 hp 4 stroke vs. 40 hp 2 stroke

If it were me, I'd probably go with the TLDI, the weight difference is negligable. Second choice would be the 40 horse 2 stroke. Yeah it uses more fuel than the 4 stroke at wot, but you won't be running at wot all the time. You would be running the 2 stroke at a lower rpm than the 4 stroke for a given cruising speed, so the fuel consumtion numbers would be a bit closer. 1/2 to 3/4 throttle on a 2 stroke uses a considerable amount less fuel than at wot, and you have ten more horses there, so that is something to consider. I would be willing to guess that you would be within 1.5 gph at the same cruise speed when comparing the 30 horse 4 stroke to the 40 horse 2 stroke. The TLDI would be very similar to the 30 horse at cruise speed, and you would still have ten horses extra. Boat setup is critical as well. How it is loaded, weight distribution, all of that. Good luck with whatever you decide...

 

[heatherjoy]

Re: 30 hp 4 stroke vs. 40 hp 2 stroke

Thanks for all the info, the boat is loaded fairly well, one battery in back, one in front, fuel tank in center, with the current engine it is ideal.<br /><br />I have a good tohatsu dealer in the next town over, hes actually got a good history with my father in terms of boats and engines, so I hope I can get a slightly better deal from him <br /><br />So it sounds like everyone would go for the 40 hp, I think it would be in my best interest to follow this advice.<br /><br />Now I didnt realize how cheap yamaha 40 2 strokes were, I will check into those more, either way I know these engines are very high quality, so I guess it boils down to price, 40 hp 2 stroke here we come.

 

[heatherjoy]

Re: 30 hp 4 stroke vs. 40 hp 2 stroke

Well I called the local Yamaha dealer, a 2 stroke 40 hp engine with remote control is $3800.<br /><br />I will need to make a call to the tohatsu dealer to see what they will do for a final price on the 2 stroke 40.<br /><br />Do dealers usually only order so many engines in a season or do they order as people want the engines? <br /><br />Should I go buy an engine now or order one, I dont want to be without an engine if I chose to order this may instead.

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: 30 hp 4 stroke vs. 40 hp 2 stroke

I'd ask the dealer what delivery date is on an order. Make it clear that late = no sale.<br /><br />-W

 

[heatherjoy]

Re: 30 hp 4 stroke vs. 40 hp 2 stroke

Well the local tohatsu dealer has a couple 40 hp 2 strokes in stock, $3500 for a remote with power trim, electric start, power trim gauge, tachometer, and controls. <br /><br />Sounds like a good deal to me?<br /><br />He said he will not be getting any more in after these 2 40s are sold, not sure why, he seems to favor the 4 strokes and TLDI's perhaps thats why.<br /><br />Thoughts?

 

[Terry H]

Re: 30 hp 4 stroke vs. 40 hp 2 stroke

I think you know what to do Heather...the Tohatsu 40 2stroke is as good a motor as you'll find out there...and the price is right...go for it...just a Thought

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: 30 hp 4 stroke vs. 40 hp 2 stroke

Tohatsu and Nissan's, can't go wrong! They run forever with a minimum of maintenance! I don't think you will find anyone on this forum that will disagree with that. Go for it!!

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: 30 hp 4 stroke vs. 40 hp 2 stroke

Let it be known that 158lbs is only for the minimum version, 15inch shaft, manual start. Once you add controls another 5 inches to the midsection and a starter, the Tohatsu is as heavy as any of the others.<br /><br />Also, heather, it's a sales gimic. They love to make you think the engine won't be there long. My local Tohatsu dealer tried it on me, and I made his eyes very big when I told him that he was full of crep, and that he could get me another one if I was serious enough. I then walked out the door and never went back.<br /><br />I don't like salesmen.

 

[lewkster]

Re: 30 hp 4 stroke vs. 40 hp 2 stroke

Hey!! I just bought the 40 nissan ( same as tahotso) 2 stroke oil injected, trim&tilt, eltric start ( Not TLDI model). Was a 2002 model for $2900.00. The dealer had another one left same exsact as I described. Also noticed ebay had one listed for $2999.00 if interested leave a post will give ya dealers number. Good Luck!!

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: 30 hp 4 stroke vs. 40 hp 2 stroke

Thats a good price, however I bet its the tiller version, I think he sells the tillers for about the same as you said, the remote adds some cash