What's better for a kicker 4-stroke or 2-stroke

[trendsetter240]

This is something that I've been contemplating for awhile... A 2-stroke kicker or a 4-stroke kicker. I have a 2-stroke but have been considering a larger 4- stroke.

Now I know that the 4 stroke will be quieter, more fuel efficient and produce less smoke; the question is can they stand up to the long hours of trolling that my 2-stroke can?

With my style of boating the kickers are the workhorses. Most fishing days involve maybe 2 hours on the main and up to 8 hours trolling on the kicker.

I've read many times that a 4 stroke outboard needs an oil/filter change every 100 hours of runtime and 60 hours if you do a lot of trolling.

Does this mean people with 4-stroke kickers are changing their oil 4 times or more a season? I put nearly 400 hours on my 1990 2-stroke 4hp kicker this year and all I have needed to do is fill up the tank. I changed the gear oil and plugs before the season started and I will again when the season ends.

Can these 4-stroke kickers really stand up to that many hours of trolling? Are they worth the effort?

Any and all comments welcome.

Cheers

 

[Haffiman]

Re: What's better for a kicker 4-stroke or 2-stroke

If staying in the 4 Hp area, go on with your 2-stroke!!
The alternative might be a 1 cyl, 5Hp 4-stroke, and they are no improvement compared to the one you have!!!

 

[trendsetter240]

Re: What's better for a kicker 4-stroke or 2-stroke

If staying in the 4 Hp area, go on with your 2-stroke!!
The alternative might be a 1 cyl, 5Hp 4-stroke, and they are no improvement compared to the one you have!!!

Yes I agree that my 4hp is probably my best bet for the time being. It's lightweight and reliable.

I'm just wondering how people have made out with their 4-stroke kickers, say in the 6 to 9.9 HP range? I may be shopping for a new trolling motor next season.

 

[Haffiman]

Re: What's better for a kicker 4-stroke or 2-stroke

Before you decide have a look at the designs and differences in design of 4-strokes and 2-strokes.
In general a 2-stroke 1 cylinder runs smoother than a 4-stroke. With combustion at each stroke, you only need 1/2 the combustion at each stroke compared to a 4-stroke. Rev it up and you really feel the difference!!
a 2 cylinder 4-stroke has both pistons at TDC at the same time. To compensate for this quite un-even mass, they either have over sized counterweights at the crank compared to a 2-stroke or more often a counter balance shaft installed. This adds weight and makes the engine more complex.
At lower to about 1/2 rpm they may feel 'smoother' than a 2-stroke, but the higher in revs you get the more 'shaky' they get compared to a 2-stroke.
If running a 9.9 4-stroke (2-cyl) at 1/2 throttle for trolling, it might feel better, go smother and burn less fuel than a 5Hp 2-stroke, but then comes the weight. Can your boat carry that extra weight on the transom? Test first with sand-bags or similar to see.
I've had several Evinrude 9.9 4-strokes in my time, both with and without the balance shafts. Ideal for slow trolling, but going full, buy a pillow to sit on and perhaps even some ear plugs!
The Db may not be higher than the 2-strokes, but the frequency might give you a headache in the long run.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: What's better for a kicker 4-stroke or 2-stroke

You said your current kicker is a 4Hp, must be an Evinrude twin, they were good small kickers, the most popular kickers right now are the Yamaha T8s, they work very very well.

Don't be afraid of 4 stroke kickers, try one and you'll never go back, make sure its a twin though.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: What's better for a kicker 4-stroke or 2-stroke

It really does not matter anymore, if you are considering a new engine, as there are no small 2-strokes available. If you are looking at used engines, go with one that uses the same fuel, either straight gas or pre-mix.

 

[bruce40]

Re: What's better for a kicker 4-stroke or 2-stroke

I switched from a 2stroke to 4 stroke kicker recently. I just got tired of the 3 gallon (premix) tank always in the way. Now i run the kickers fuel right from the onboard tank.

 

[JimS123]

Re: What's better for a kicker 4-stroke or 2-stroke

I custom built new seat bases so my 6 gal. kicker tank would fit. Out of the way, no muss no fuss.

If you are looking for a kicker, regardless of 2 or 4 stroke, I would never run it off the main fuel tank and would always use a manual start model. If the object is a safety backup, ALL systems need to be redundant.

 

[trendsetter240]

Re: What's better for a kicker 4-stroke or 2-stroke

Thanks alot for the replies guys. I guess what I'm really looking to find out is the durability of these 4-stroke kickers.

How do they stand up to long hours of trolling? Do they require lots of maintenance if used this way?

 

[ondarvr]

Re: What's better for a kicker 4-stroke or 2-stroke

T8s are "the" most popular kicker and there are no issues, many of my friends have thousands of hours on them and they still run fine. The only issue I've seen with these is with the power tilt, there is a weak component that may fail. I don't recall anyone I know having actually worn out any of the 4S any faster than a 2S.

 

[trendsetter240]

Re: What's better for a kicker 4-stroke or 2-stroke

T8s are "the" most popular kicker and there are no issues, many of my friends have thousands of hours on them and they still run fine. The only issue I've seen with these is with the power tilt, there is a weak component that may fail. I don't recall anyone I know having actually worn out any of the 4S any faster than a 2S.

Thanks, that's what I was looking for. I will be looking at 4 stroke kickers over the winter.


Cheers,