I am looking at a couple new pontoons and have two priced to me. One has a 2005 50 HP Merc 4 stroke ( bigfoot) and the other a 2004 50hp Merc 2 stroke. Boats are about the same with $1800 more for the 4 stroke. Worth it?
ive got a 21ft tracker party barge with a 1998 merc 40 hp 2stroke, and i hate it. the motor is very loud and there is a LOT of vibration, man i wish i had got a 4 stroke,dont make the mistake i did----- get the 4 stroke!
That 50hp 2 stroke is a carbed model, right? The only reason I'd buy the 4 stroke is for fuel economy. Pontoon boats are relatively slow and take more time "getting there". Fuel costs start to add up if you do much boating. I have a 20' toon with 50hp 4 stroke and would go with a 2 stroke eTec if buying new now. <br /><br />About resale and for whatever it's worth...last year I checked my 4 stroke against the comparable year and size 2 stroke for NADA value. The 2 stroke had a higher book value...and my 4 stroke was orginally the same price as a 75hp 2 stroke. It was also way more to purchase than a 50hp 2 stroke back then. The 4 stroke lost a higher % of the purchase price than the 2 stroke. It may be different with bigger 4 strokes but most people buying small motors (50 & under)still like 2 strokes. People can debate the NADA prices but 95% of the dealers and lending institutions I deal with pull the NADA book out when talking money. It is used more often than not. <br /><br />I'm guessing in CA the demand for 4 strokes is higher because 2 strokes have been outlawed...that may be something to consider about resale or purchase too.
Retro:<br /><br />I just traded a 50 Merc carbed 2 stroke. It was almost brand new but I just could not stand it any more. GET THE 4 STROKE! Merc makes some good motors but this is not one of them. The only way I'd ever recommend one is if someone were pressed for money and needed a fast engine to run full throttle from point a to point b. The're okay for that.<br /><br />Take Locknut's advice and get the four stroke. Good luck with your new outfit. Bill
I replaced a 1990 40hp Yam (2cyl) 2 stroke with a new 40hp Yam (3cyl & carbs ) 4 stroke. The old engine is the one that came on the boat from new. I wish I had done it years ago. The boat is transformed. It's like having a new boat. It's so quiet and smooth. A real pleasure to use. I'm delighted with it. At full throttle I can hold a normal conversation with people. This was'nt possible with the 2-stroke. <br /><br />I'd definitely recommend a 4 stroke.
Reality check here. In case it matters, noise and smoke are almost a non issue with most pontoon boats. The motors are buried behind furniture and down far away from people. Even with carbed 2 strokes you don't hear or smell them like regular boats. My neighbor has a toon with carbed 2 stroke and the difference is nil compared to my toon with a 4 stroke. We both share motor access problems and working on them while hanging in a boatlift is a bixch. Mine has to be trailered out to service valves and make oil changes easy. Even checking crankcase oil is a bixch.<br /><br />
