Old 2-Stroke or new 4-Stroke

[6walleyes]

I'm still struggling here guys. Here's the deal. I have a 1996 Mercury and want to updrade to a 2006 Yamaha four stroke. I have found a pretty good deal on the 4-stroke and it comes with a 6yr warranty. The asking price is $5,750. It does NOT have the VTS option.

1. I don't have a good hole shot. Why? Because I have a 20" prop on it. I will be putting a 17" or 18" on. Understanding the hole shot will now be night and day, if I put this same prop on the 4 stroke it will still help immensely.

2. I would like to back troll slower. The 17" prop will help this and the 4 stroke even more right?

3. Is $5,750 plus another $475 shipping a good idea, on a 2006 4S Yamaha WITH the 6yr warranty?

4. I have a 1991 690 Ranger and love it so putting a newer motor on won't bother me.

5. Is the VTS worth paying 2K more for (would need to buy a 2008)?

6. AND THE QUESTION OF THE DAY. I know the 2 sroke out performs the 4 stroke. BUT, does a 1996 2 stroke (it's not a Optimax or anything special...still a good motor) out perform a 2006 4-stroke?

HELP!!!!!

[southerncomfort1]

What size motors on the 2 and 4 stroke??? With that info you will get better info.

[6walleyes]

Thanks. It's a 90.

[Dave Q]

I own a 2006 yam and am "quite" sure that you can have the vts added. Mine, a tiller did not come with because it had the old handel on it. The vts was added as I would think it could be to the one you are looking at. Call yam. or talk to other dealers about the add on.

[MarkG]

Unless doing it yourself,don't forget to add the cost of re-rigging the boat.
Not a huge deal because it's a tiller but will be some cost involved,including the instrumentation. Have you talked to a dealer yet about that?

Also unless it's a VTS, will probably not be able to troll any slower than the Merc.

[MarkG]

Followup...Forgot to comment on your #6 "question of the day"...

"outperform" can be a subjective term. The 90 Merc 2 stroke is lighter than the Yamaha 4 stroke by aprox 70lbs. Top end speed will probably not be significantly different. The 4 stroke will start easier,and be less effected by temperature and humidity variances. It will run and idle smoother,(though not necessarily at a lower,or even the same RPM as the Merc,unless with VTS.The Yamaha (or any) 4 stroke will smoke less ,use significantly less gas,and be pleasingly quiet both at idle and WOT.

The 4 stroke will probably NOT give you any better hole shot or top end. The extra weight,may slow your trolling,but not really a significant enough weight difference,to assume that. The 4stroke has way more moving parts,and has more to go wrong,but that being said,they have proven themselves just as reliable ,if not moreso,over time. Overall, holeshot and WOT will not be much different. Setup will probably effect it more than the differences in the motors themselves.

If you were buying a new rig and faced with the choice,would be a no brainer for the 4 stroke,especially that the cost between the 2 different motors at new purchase would have been not that great.

Your situation is quite different. The cash outlay to do this is quite significant,not to mention the fact that investing so much in an 18 year old rig can be a questionable decision,as evidence by your previous thread,including my own opinion. But it's just an opinion,and everyone's situation is different.

You are going to have to be the final decision. But here is what you need to consider. If you are considering the investment to try to "fix" the issues of hole shot and slow trolling,you are probably barking up the wrong tree. On the other hand, If the rig is in pristeen condition, and you think you would like to keep it another 7-10 years, and the Ole Merc may need too much attention and cash to freshen it up to the same condition as the rest of the rig.. You will, no doubt, enjoy the investment in the 4 stroke.

[6walleyes]

Thanks. Much apprecisted!!!!!!!!!!!

[Koldfront Kraig]

I own a 2006 yam and am "quite" sure that you can have the vts added. Mine, a tiller did not come with because it had the old handel on it. The vts was added as I would think it could be to the one you are looking at. Call yam. or talk to other dealers about the add on.


You can get the VTS for a 2006 Yamaha.

[Burr]

I'm still struggling here guys. Here's the deal. I have a 1996 Mercury and want to updrade to a 2006 Yamaha four stroke. I have found a pretty good deal on the 4-stroke and it comes with a 6yr warranty. The asking price is $5,750. It does NOT have the VTS option.

1. I don't have a good hole shot. Why? Because I have a 20" prop on it. I will be putting a 17" or 18" on. Understanding the hole shot will now be night and day, if I put this same prop on the 4 stroke it will still help immensely. Don't set your heart on even a 17 or 18 pitch prop, set your heart on the right prop to obtain proper max rpm as a starting point. Additionally, a stainless could be a big improvement over an aluminum prop, as your kind of underpowered, even though your max powered for a tiller.

2. I would like to back troll slower. The 17" prop will help this and the 4 stroke even more right?
The 17 will troll slower than the 20, but the 4 stroke, not always, but generally, trolls faster than the 2 stroke. Suzuki is an exception to that general rule - they troll slow.

3. Is $5,750 plus another $475 shipping a good idea, on a 2006 4S Yamaha WITH the 6yr warranty? There are options less expensive, but I doubt there are less expensive options that are a new motor with 6 years of coverage. 475 shipping tells me it's coming from a ways away - do you have a servicing dealer?

4. I have a 1991 690 Ranger and love it so putting a newer motor on won't bother me. That's good, cuz it can't bother you with the hit your going to take.

I was once in your situation - my motor was shot, cost more to fix than it was worth. Only after I put another motor on it, and sold it a year or so later did it become clear to me I would have saved money by dropping the boat and trailer at the landfill. The whole combo will immediately be worth less than the cost of the motor.

Also, the motor your replacing, even with all the work that is needed on it, is worth a pretty penny. You'll easily get $500-$1000 at a salvage operation in as is condition.

5. Is the VTS worth paying 2K more for (would need to buy a 2008)?
I used to think electronic rpm control for trolling slower would be worth that expense. I now have a boat with that control, and never use it - cuz the motor trolls down fine without messing with it. If you can add it later, for close to what it costs to get it now, wait til you see if you need it.

That being said, I'm a bit different than almost everyone else. The everyone else feels you have to find a speed, and troll at that speed, example 2.2 mph. My view is - I don't ever want to maintain a consistent speed. I'm waiting for the computer that allows me to chose different speed change patterns for trolling. The last thing I want to do is stay at the same speed. I'm kinda weird that way. If I am maintaining a consistent speed, it's cuz I want a break from all the work of changing speeds, and the speed I've chosen is getting to be higher and higher all the time. I anticipate my trolling speeds will soon be limited by the capacity of my crankbaits to run true. That's what I get for listening to Seelhof. Your fishing patterns may change these answers....
6. AND THE QUESTION OF THE DAY. I know the 2 sroke out performs the 4 stroke. BUT, does a 1996 2 stroke (it's not a Optimax or anything special...still a good motor) out perform a 2006 4-stroke?
You will most likely not notice much of a difference in power. It's a 90 hp is 90 hp answer. But, you will notice a huge difference in either motor with the correct prop. You know the other biggest difference already, quiet. Another difference you will notice will be the fuel efficiency of the newer motors compared to your 90's model carb motor. Either the EFI 4 stroke, or DFI 2 strokes will use much less gas than you currently do. Overall, a new 90 hp will push a boat about the same speed as an old 90 hp.
HELP!!!!!

In the end, only you have to like your choice. If you'll be pleased, do it and don't look back.

[Focker]

1. Well, like others have said, I'd update the whole rig. But you said you'd like to keep your boat, so nevermind! Now to the motors.

I've either owned or extensively used a: 1995merc 2stroke 90, '97 honda 90, '06 and newer yami and suzy 90's/115's. So I feel qualified to say:

2. Re-read Burr's response. I have nothing of value to add.

3. See points number 1 and 2 until decision made


good luck

[southerncomfort1]

[QUOTE=Focker;1084611]

2. Re-read Burr's response. I have nothing of value to add.



Burr I must say you did a very nice post also on this one....