Which 80hp Jet?

[SkipperCraft]

I'm buying a new OB for a work boat and would love to hear some opinions. I've read around but I think my situation is unique enough to warrant a new thread.

Current setup: 1996 Alumaweld Supervee LT (open except for the console), 1996 65jet Mercury 2 stroke. It's a work boat that we mainly use to haul heavy loads of trees or too many people (reality of the job unfortunately). We're usually in nasty tidal channels full of logs, but we're also out in open water pretty often. The problem with the current motor is it just doesn't have enough power when the boat's loaded down. If it's just me in it, it moves along decently, probably get up to 30-35. But most of the time we're loaded down and it's a total pig.

We have the funds for a new motor, just need to figure out which one. I was planning to get a 80hp Yamaha jet 4 stroke (just got the 9.9 for a kicker and it seems great). But after reading about 2 strokes' better hole shots and much improved emissions, I don't know.

What would you all get? I want whatever is going to give us the best performance (not necessarily top speed but power when loaded down), reliability, longevity. We don't lot that many hours so cost of 2 stroke oil isn't a big deal. Emissions are somewhat important since we're a conservation organization. My hunch is either will be a big improvement and can't go wrong, but I'll take any opinions. Thanks everyone.

 

[pckeen]

Asking 2 stroke vs. 4 stroke is kind of like asking Chevy vs. Ford on this forum. Personally, I'm a fan of four stroke engines. There are lots here who will say the opposite. Since you are talking new, the modern two strokes and four strokes are all pretty reliable, and will give good performance. Modern two strokes bear little resemblance to the two strokes of 20 years ago. As you say, whichever you get will give you a huge improvement in performance and gas consumption over your '96 65 horse.

 

[ondarvr]

I have the same 90/65 hp Merc 2 stroke only a 2005 model on my jet boat, and I have also put many hours a 20' Alumaweld LT with 115/80 Yamaha. The Yamaha works very well on that hull, I would have no concerns putting 5 people in the boat, it moves along nicely with that load. There is a big difference in performance between the Merc and Yamaha

 

[SkipperCraft]

Cool, thanks a lot for the info. Any reason to go one brand over another? The shop we happen to use pushes Yamaha but they probably just get the most commission on them... but it would look good to match the new kicker! Also, our other boat is a 16' Smokercraft Alaskan with a 2 stroke Yamaha 25 (probably late 90s) and it has always done us right. Just got a new prop with a different pitch and it straight jumps out of the water and will go a solid 35!

If it's a toss up between modern 2 and 4 stroke, I'll probably end up going 4 for emissions reasons, or at least perception.

 

[ondarvr]

Go with the Yamaha.

 

[SkipperCraft]

I've been reading about the Etec and Optimax. The Etec has the same CARB rating as the Yamaha 4 stroke and sounds like has better off the line power, less weight, fewer moving parts, and no maintenance for 3 years. Ignoring the cost of 2 stroke oil, what makes you pick the Yamaha over a 2 stroke? It sounds like the 4 will be a bit quieter but I'm sure either will be a lot quieter than we're used to.

 

[ondarvr]

I only know one person with the new style Etec, they seem ok, but I am always suspect of new models in their first year.

Opti, no, don't go there.

I know many people with the Yamaha 115 4 stroke and they really like them. Plus I've used them myself.

 

[SkipperCraft]

Cool, I just put a deposit down on the Yamaha. Getting the controls and steering re-done too, plus a tach and hour meter, as well as having a Raymarine Dragonfly installed that I already bought. Can't wait to get it out - it'll be ready by the end of the month. Gonna have to get it out on the open water, to check everything over

The etec is actually the same weight as the Yamaha and that's with a prop - I assume it'll be heavier with the jet head? I think we'll be really happy with the Yamaha. Too bad we're going to be dragging it over logs and sucking up mud often... probably should start using the kicker in those instances now that we have a motor we care about.

Thanks for the advice guys, I'll post a pic when it's back.