4-stk w/small powerhead?

[sailincpa]

I have a sailboat (Catalina 27) with a small enclosed lazarette compartment forward of the transom that the auxiliary outboard mounts in. I have a 2000 Johnson 15HP LS 2-stroke in there now, and it barely fit, and only with some minor surgery to the compartment. When I bought the Johnson in 2000, there was no way any 4-stroke would fit. In the future, in California, when I need to replace the Johnson, I’ll have to buy a 4-stroke due to the Calif. air pollution laws. Anybody have a suggestion as to what manufacturer’s 4-stroke products (w/longshaft, electric start) might have a powerhead no larger than the Johnson 15 2-stroke? I need at least a 9.9 for sufficient power, and light weight is also preferable.

 

[Guest]

Re: 4-stk w/small powerhead?

Sail:<br /><br />I've not actually seen one but Nissan came out with a 9.8 four stroke last year. It is supposed to be very light-weight. I don't know about the actual size of it. I had a 15 Evinrude two stroke (just like the Johnny). It was tiny for its power. <br /><br />Trout

 

[BillP]

Re: 4-stk w/small powerhead?

4 stokes have to be laid on the "correct" side or water gets into the cyls. Be sure you check fit with this in mind.

 

[winoandino]

Re: 4-stk w/small powerhead?

Not sure how long you have before you have to get a new engine, I thought most older engines were grandfathered in. If you can wait a year or 2, I have heard that Evinrude is developing an E-Tec 2-Stroke which is cleaner than current 4-Strokes in that size range. They already have larger ones just not in that hp size yet.

 

[sailincpa]

Re: 4-stk w/small powerhead?

I probably have a few years before the Johnny 15 will be worn out & need replacement. But I'm keeping eyes open . My mechanic has also referred to Bombardier bringing the clean 2 stks into smaller HP ranges in future - but how far in the future? What cost? etc. He had little info. So I'm wondering about that & other possibilities.

 

[Solittle]

Re: 4-stk w/small powerhead?

sailincpa - If properly cared for your 15 will last far longer that you have the boat even if you give the boat to your grandkids. My 9.9 is 30 years old & still runnin fine.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: 4-stk w/small powerhead?

The Nissan/Tohatsu/Mercury is the lightest and has the smallest engine shroud.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: 4-stk w/small powerhead?

motors dont just wear out. <br /><br />solittle is on the right track here.<br /><br />if you do a yearly "decarb"($8.00)<br />change yer gear oil($.50)<br />change yer plugs($6.00)<br />changer yer water pump($25.00)<br />use good clean fuel and good quiality oil and your motor will outlast you! <br /><br />i just sold a 1968 evinrude 6hp, yes, 1968, than ran like new! excellent compression, the cylinder were smooth and clean and it was still running like a swiss clock.....inpart because i always did the maintenance as i stated above.<br /><br />and if'n you get a 4 stroke, you still gotta do all the same maintenance anyways!<br /><br />the older 2 strokes are gonna get "grandfathered" in on most waterways and lakes. there are millions of them out there, id hate to see them all put to rest.<br /><br />just an idea