four stroke too much weight for 12' Smokercraft?

[arifleman]

I have a 12' Smokercraft Alaskan I have been using with an electric motor. I am looking to put a 9.9 on it for moving to and from, in addition to the electric for lake trolling.

Question: would a four stroke be too much weight for this boat, given I am usually seated alone in the rear? Boat is about 175 pounds, 15" transom, rated for 15 hp. I know the popular push is toward 4 stroke engines now, with some lakes banning 2 strokes, but the 4's do seem a little bulky. Your thoughts appreciated. Thanks all.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: four stroke too much weight for 12' Smokercraft?

Compare the weight of the four-strokes you are considering with the weight of the 15 hp two-strokes when your boat was manufactured/rated. You can always move your seat forward a little to compensate for a heavy stern...should make the boat plane and ride better if it is stern heavy. Don't know the year of your boat, but my 57 Johnson 18 hp two-stroke weighs about 80 lbs. Can't image a 10 hp weighing that much, but I'm not familiar with modern four-strokes.

 

[5150abf]

Re: four stroke too much weight for 12' Smokercraft?

Just shift weight forward to balance the boat, move the battery or gas up front and you should be okay, I can't imagine that is much heavier than a 2 stroke.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: four stroke too much weight for 12' Smokercraft?

A new merc 4-stroke 9.9 weighs 85-110 lbs, depending on the model.
A 2009 2-stroke yammy 9.9 weighs 79 pounds.

A 2007 Johnson 9.9 2 stroke weighs 74 lbs

15 hp 2-stroke Johnson/Evinrudes were pretty much the identical motor and had the same weight.

I'd say you're looking at maybe a 10-15 lb difference from what the boat's original motor would have weighed.
A good diet would take care of that!

 

[Wee Hooker]

Re: four stroke too much weight for 12' Smokercraft?

If she's rated for a 15, your fine. A new 4 stroke 9.9 is about 80# ( in a short shaft) and that's what an older 2 stroke 10 or 15 hp would weigh. That said, a minty 8,10 or 15 2 stroke wouldn't be a horrible investment either. A 55# 2 stroke 8 hp will likle push you boat as fast as a 80# 9.9 4 stroke. I particularly like the late model Merc/Mariners that had the shift right in the throttle handle. Nice feature for fishing!

In any case, you may need to lean/sit forward to get her on plane depending on how she's trimmed. Adding an extra long gas line so you can sit the tank in the bow will help.

Also worth mentioning is that all the new MErc, Nissan and Tohatsu 9.x,
4 strokes are all identical motors with different paint jobs. Shop price vs brand name and you'll do better.

 

[arifleman]

Re: four stroke too much weight for 12' Smokercraft?

Thanks all and WH. I saw the Nissan 4 strokes were 81 pounds and a pretty compact package and priced at $1725. Since the 4's seem to be the future, I'll shop around the brands for low price as you suggest.