Non-Kicker 4-strokes

[Yanoo]

Does anyone own a large 4-stroke, 40 hp and up outboard, for a 16' to 17' walleye boat? If yes, does it supply all the needs for trolling right down to the .5 to 1 mph range? Also, is the motor more gas efficient than the 2-stroke of equivalent horse power? If yes, let me know how much? Can this big motor situation still require a small kicker 4-stroke, such as a 4 hp motor? Give me your thoughts.

[Mac]

I have a Yamaha 40 4 stroke. It trolls down to less than 1 MPH. It is on an Alumacraft 16'5, pushes it at 32 mph and has more gas left after a day on the water that when I started. (almost) and makes almost no noise.

[Phil T.]

Honda 90 on a 17 1/2 foot Alumacraft. With a low-pitch prop, it will troll at about 700rpm, but my kicker has a 7 inch pitch prop. Now way will the main engine go as slow as that. With an uncupped 17" prop, I can troll at salmon speeds. The fuel economy is double what I got with the 2-stroke the Honda replaced. Speed is the same. 90hp is 90 hp, a 19" prop is a 19" prop.

[EAGLE EYES]

There is only one thing that a four stroke doesn't do better than a two stroke. That is a two stroke outboard can put out higher RPM than a four stroke thus creating slightly higher top end speeds. With all the other features that are bettered by four strokes, there is no comparison. they troll down slower, their gas consumption efficiency is doubled or tripled, They're much more quiet, They leave practicly no unburned fuel in the water. My favorite feature is: they are the only engine you need. Other than electric that is.

[Sluggo / NY]

I've been running a 75 Honda for three years. Best motor I've owned, but even at 650-700 rpm I need a bag or plate to slow me to walleye trolling speeds. The fuel consumption is so low at those rpm's that I don't mess with a kicker. The motor just sits there and humms all day long. No noise or fumes..I love it! Good Fishing, Sluggo

[Yanoo]

Thanks for the good information! Pretty much made the decision for me. 4-stroke is the answer! Let me know the price difference between the 4 & 2 strokes in larger outboards?

[Yanoo]

Thanks for the good information! Pretty much made the decision for me. 4-stroke is the answer! Let me know the price difference between the 4 & 2 strokes in larger outboards?

[chrism]

Price diff in my area is about an extra 20%(+/-5%) on the 4st (in the 50-80hp range)