2 Stroke or 4 Stroke?

BASS-MAN · November 26th, 2006, 09:24 PM

I am going to be ordering my new boat soon (Lowe Stinger 170) and would like to get some opinions about the motor. I am going to have to choose between a Merc Optimax 75HP or a Merc 4stroke EFI 75HP. This is going to be my first "Big Boy Boat" and I don't know much about outboards so any ideas, opinions, notions, or experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Bryce

P.S.
Here is a link to the boat if it helps.
http://www.lowe.com/fishboats/stinger/170.html

Woefman · November 26th, 2006, 09:46 PM

I am thinking of Doing the Same thing .

Here is My Analogy in that size Boat.

I have seen many Ads for Used Boats (bought boat trader, as well search dealers and online ).

many of these used Boat ads always Seem to State , 150 merc Fresh Rebuild barley Broke in...Blah blah .....

Well For me In this size boat , I would rather Have a 4 stroke.

4 stroke is a crankcase always submerged in oil like a car, and has an Oil Filter.

2 Strokes Get there Power From RPM's ( revolutions per minute).

If your buying this Boat , chances are your not buying it to Drag Race with those Skeeters and Such.

Just my opinion , and if you in the Same situation as me , the price for a Lowe Wont Break the Bank , which one could assume your buying one, cause you dont want the price tag of a new fiberglass full blown Bass Boat.

SO , this means you dont want to Overhaul your motor to often if your Budget is like mine.

The 4 Stroke is Aprox 1000 to $2000 more, but Mercury offers free 6 year Warr on 4 stroke.

I Really Liek the LOWE Stinger , however Dont over Look the Xpress http://www.xpressboats.com/

You can usually Go alot faster in a Xpress and get More motor for the same money as a LOWE.

Cheers

elwayoung · November 27th, 2006, 06:29 AM

I purchased a used 2002 Lowe 180 with Mercury Optimax 150 in July. All I can say is it is my first big boy boat and I love it. I still wonder what a glass boat would be like but that goes away once I am on the water. Lowe is constantly improving there boats and my 2002 is nothing but quality so I can imagine how nice the new one is. Go with the Lowe and a optimax motor, Good Luck

http://www.loweboats.com/fishboats/stinger/170.html

John

elwayoung · November 27th, 2006, 06:39 AM

Take a look at the 180 you get a bigger motor option to keep up with those glass guys!!!!

http://www.loweboats.com/fishboats/stinger/180.html

elwayoung · November 27th, 2006, 06:43 AM

http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/4/7/85845747.htm

jsnags · November 27th, 2006, 06:48 AM

four stroke if youre going to bo going under 50 or so gps

jbarrett · November 27th, 2006, 07:21 AM

Bass Man, Your doing the right thing by researching this up front and this site is a great place to get input.

I had a Lowe stinger 160/40HP EFi that we traded in on a glass boat with a Optimax. For me the aluminum just didnt handle wind and waves like I wanted. I think much of it was due to the Hull design (flat bottom) Also with the light weight the boat drifts much more and is tougher to keep positioned. As far as fit and finish, I wasnt overly impressed.

Pluses on the Lowe for me were a very shallow draft - I could float into finger coves a foot deep and didnt worry about running into rocks as much. The EFi motor was easy to start, ran quiet and very smooth with no vibration.

You may be aware of this already but some of the manufacturers are making glass boats to compete at a simular price point to the aluminums. Stratos for example offers a enry level bass boat for 12,995 with a 50 HP motor or something along that line.

In my case the Lowe was our first real boat and we bought cautiously. By trying to save money I just ended up with a boat we didnt like as much and it cost me more in the long run to go with what I should have in the first place (for my situation). Also beware of hidden charges; Shipping, freight dealer prep and so on.

A Lowe or any other type boat may be exactly what your looking for and I dont want to imply one is better than another for you.
Ride in all the boats you can, try out a EFi and Optimax and check out some Glass ones too. They all have good and bad points.

Larry all Forked Up · November 27th, 2006, 07:49 AM

I also moved from an aluminum with a four stroke to a glass boat with an 150 last year. jbarrett is right they are harder to control and drift more and don't handle the waves aswell just be more coutious of your surroundings. The four stroke was very fuel effecient and extermely quite when I would roll into the docks guys would ask if that was even running. Like everyone else I bought an aluminum for budget with a two year time frame to move to a bigger boat. Two years to the date almost I did. The boat served its purpose though and the guy that bought it from me was very glad to get it. I now have a Triton 185 with an 150 and this boat will serve its purpose for the next two years.
What ever boat you buy enjoy it, that makes it easier to own it.
Good Luck.

StickBait · November 27th, 2006, 08:26 AM

I saw an add in the last Bassmasters that was advertising the Stratos 17.5' fiberglass model w/ a 50 for 12,900. That may be an option

My opinion is to stay away from the 4-stroke. They have not been around long enough to know all the downfalls. I have heard that they have a ton more maintenance required. I do know that the don't respond like a 2-stroke and they are a little slower. But i have also heard that they don't drink as much gas.

My suggestion would to call or go visit as many marine mechanics as possible and try to get facts, versus be swayed by opinions. Of course there are always more opinions than facts, but getting an opinion from a mechanic is more valuable than mine or other people that don't know first hand. I would also suggest riding in comparable boats wit the two different engines, because although I may not like 4-strokes I am not the one buying it, you are and you being happy with your purchase is what matters in the end.

Franklin J · November 27th, 2006, 08:53 AM

4 strokes are good on gas....but when when to comes to sheer power and RPMS 2 strokes will kick thier ass everyday of the week...I have driven a 225 4 stroke and it just didn't have the power and top end of a 2 stroke....but hey they are good on gas....maybe we can get some verado

owners to chime in

Franklin

November 26th, 2006, 09:24 PM	#1
BASS-MAN Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Surprise Posts: 388 Images: 1	2 Stroke or 4 Stroke? I am going to be ordering my new boat soon (Lowe Stinger 170) and would like to get some opinions about the motor. I am going to have to choose between a Merc Optimax 75HP or a Merc 4stroke EFI 75HP. This is going to be my first "Big Boy Boat" and I don't know much about outboards so any ideas, opinions, notions, or experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Bryce P.S. Here is a link to the boat if it helps. http://www.lowe.com/fishboats/stinger/170.html

November 26th, 2006, 09:46 PM	#2
Woefman Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 771 Images: 27	I am thinking of Doing the Same thing . Here is My Analogy in that size Boat. I have seen many Ads for Used Boats (bought boat trader, as well search dealers and online ). many of these used Boat ads always Seem to State , 150 merc Fresh Rebuild barley Broke in...Blah blah ..... Well For me In this size boat , I would rather Have a 4 stroke. 4 stroke is a crankcase always submerged in oil like a car, and has an Oil Filter. 2 Strokes Get there Power From RPM's ( revolutions per minute). If your buying this Boat , chances are your not buying it to Drag Race with those Skeeters and Such. Just my opinion , and if you in the Same situation as me , the price for a Lowe Wont Break the Bank , which one could assume your buying one, cause you dont want the price tag of a new fiberglass full blown Bass Boat. SO , this means you dont want to Overhaul your motor to often if your Budget is like mine. The 4 Stroke is Aprox 1000 to $2000 more, but Mercury offers free 6 year Warr on 4 stroke. I Really Liek the LOWE Stinger , however Dont over Look the Xpress http://www.xpressboats.com/ You can usually Go alot faster in a Xpress and get More motor for the same money as a LOWE. Cheers Last edited by Woefman; November 26th, 2006 at 09:53 PM. Reason: typo

November 27th, 2006, 06:29 AM	#3
elwayoung Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Dove Mountain Posts: 3,425 Images: 35	Lowe Boat I purchased a used 2002 Lowe 180 with Mercury Optimax 150 in July. All I can say is it is my first big boy boat and I love it. I still wonder what a glass boat would be like but that goes away once I am on the water. Lowe is constantly improving there boats and my 2002 is nothing but quality so I can imagine how nice the new one is. Go with the Lowe and a optimax motor, Good Luck http://www.loweboats.com/fishboats/stinger/170.html John __________________ "The one with the biggest fishes wins!!!"

November 27th, 2006, 06:39 AM	#4
elwayoung Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Dove Mountain Posts: 3,425 Images: 35	ooops Take a look at the 180 you get a bigger motor option to keep up with those glass guys!!!! http://www.loweboats.com/fishboats/stinger/180.html __________________ "The one with the biggest fishes wins!!!"

November 27th, 2006, 06:43 AM	#5
elwayoung Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Dove Mountain Posts: 3,425 Images: 35	http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/4/7/85845747.htm __________________ "The one with the biggest fishes wins!!!"

November 27th, 2006, 06:48 AM	#6
jsnags Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: gilbert,guadalupe and greenfield Posts: 2,789 Images: 78	four stroke if youre going to bo going under 50 or so gps

November 27th, 2006, 07:21 AM	#7
jbarrett Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Peoria Posts: 32	Bass Man, Your doing the right thing by researching this up front and this site is a great place to get input. I had a Lowe stinger 160/40HP EFi that we traded in on a glass boat with a Optimax. For me the aluminum just didnt handle wind and waves like I wanted. I think much of it was due to the Hull design (flat bottom) Also with the light weight the boat drifts much more and is tougher to keep positioned. As far as fit and finish, I wasnt overly impressed. Pluses on the Lowe for me were a very shallow draft - I could float into finger coves a foot deep and didnt worry about running into rocks as much. The EFi motor was easy to start, ran quiet and very smooth with no vibration. You may be aware of this already but some of the manufacturers are making glass boats to compete at a simular price point to the aluminums. Stratos for example offers a enry level bass boat for 12,995 with a 50 HP motor or something along that line. In my case the Lowe was our first real boat and we bought cautiously. By trying to save money I just ended up with a boat we didnt like as much and it cost me more in the long run to go with what I should have in the first place (for my situation). Also beware of hidden charges; Shipping, freight dealer prep and so on. A Lowe or any other type boat may be exactly what your looking for and I dont want to imply one is better than another for you. Ride in all the boats you can, try out a EFi and Optimax and check out some Glass ones too. They all have good and bad points.

November 27th, 2006, 07:49 AM	#8
Larry all Forked Up Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: RV slumming across this shaken yet still the greatest "U.S. of A." Posts: 2,744 Images: 33	I also moved from an aluminum with a four stroke to a glass boat with an 150 last year. jbarrett is right they are harder to control and drift more and don't handle the waves aswell just be more coutious of your surroundings. The four stroke was very fuel effecient and extermely quite when I would roll into the docks guys would ask if that was even running. Like everyone else I bought an aluminum for budget with a two year time frame to move to a bigger boat. Two years to the date almost I did. The boat served its purpose though and the guy that bought it from me was very glad to get it. I now have a Triton 185 with an 150 and this boat will serve its purpose for the next two years. What ever boat you buy enjoy it, that makes it easier to own it. Good Luck.

November 27th, 2006, 08:26 AM	#9
StickBait Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 4,731 Images: 65	I saw an add in the last Bassmasters that was advertising the Stratos 17.5' fiberglass model w/ a 50 for 12,900. That may be an option My opinion is to stay away from the 4-stroke. They have not been around long enough to know all the downfalls. I have heard that they have a ton more maintenance required. I do know that the don't respond like a 2-stroke and they are a little slower. But i have also heard that they don't drink as much gas. My suggestion would to call or go visit as many marine mechanics as possible and try to get facts, versus be swayed by opinions. Of course there are always more opinions than facts, but getting an opinion from a mechanic is more valuable than mine or other people that don't know first hand. I would also suggest riding in comparable boats wit the two different engines, because although I may not like 4-strokes I am not the one buying it, you are and you being happy with your purchase is what matters in the end.

November 27th, 2006, 08:53 AM	#10
Franklin J Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Apache Junction Posts: 11,334 Images: 5	4 strokes are good on gas....but when when to comes to sheer power and RPMS 2 strokes will kick thier ass everyday of the week...I have driven a 225 4 stroke and it just didn't have the power and top end of a 2 stroke....but hey they are good on gas....maybe we can get some verado owners to chime in Franklin