New outboard trolling speeds

[Michigander]

Threw a rod last weekend. Had too little motor on to much boat, dont know if that affected the blow-up or not. Now I have to decide to rebuild for 2 grand or update to a newer and larger motor. Concerned about trolling speed of a bigger motor. Had a 1993 40 hp on a heavey 16ft boat. The boat is rated for 40-60 hp. Dont want to go fast as much as troll slow. Would a new 60 or 50 troll slow enough for walleye? Do 2 strokes troll slower than 4 strokes? Do the newer motors troll slower than the older ones? I want to avoid putting a small kicker on. The hull is 875# dry if that helps. The mechanic recommends rebuild, he also sells outboards. Have to make some decisions here on the best direction. What does a new 50 or 60 2 or 4 stroke tiller go for now days? Thanks for the input.

[SUPERTROLLER]

LAST EDITED ON Apr-02-01 AT 09:33PM (CST)[p]Rather than trying to push a TOO HEAVY boat with a 40 Hp motor I would suggest going with the 60 Hp motor and getting up on plane more easily. You will have NO problem trolling down the speed either. That motor would not be so big as to cause a problem of going too fast. The cost is the only concern I'm not sure of. Never priced motors in that range. Just wanted to help you out by returning your post to the first page so a more knowledgable person could see it and help you out regarding the 2 or 4 stroke parts of your question.

[ETT]

I think I'm right in saying a 4 stroke will idle down better and longer than a 2 stroke. Others may have a diferent view.

[Buckg]

The current Suzuki 50 HP 4-stroke has a factory recommended (i.e. set) idle speed of 850 RPMs and the new Nissan (or Tohatsu) 50 HP 2-stroke with direct injection (this motor has the same Orbital technology the Optimax has) has an idle speed of 600 RPMs. I have no first hand experience with 4-strokes, but I have read that many "think" they are idling slower because of their reduced noise level, but it seems that they generally require a higher idle speed than 2-strokes to overcome the inertia of the valve train (all the cams, valve springs, etc).
Also: a 3-cylinder 2-stroke fires every 120 degress of rotation of the crank, whereas a 3-cylinder 4-stroke fires every 240 degrees. This can effect the smoothness of the motor at idle.
The new Mercury 60 HP 4-stroke looks to be a good motor on paper. It is 4 cylinders, usually you have to go to a higher HP range to get 4 cylinders. The Suzuki 60 HP is also 4-cylinders, but it weighs 100 lbs more, which is a lot of weight on a transom if an alternative is available.

[Jim Thomas]

I trolled Lake Erie for six years with a 2 str. Mercury 25 hp in a 17 foot deep aluminum boat that was rated to 40 Hp. My boat loaded minus weight of people (normally just me), was just under 1000 lbs. My top end speed was 24 MPH in perfect (Flat as a pancake) conditons, less as waves increased. I'd often troll for 8 hours or so in a session, which resulted typically fouled plugs, difficult starts, and mild fear (on Lake Erie you don't feel good when your motor cuts out on you, regardless of the wave conditions). Finally I decided to bite the bullet and bought a new 25 Hp Mercury 4 Stroke. I admit being very uncomfortable with the cost difference (2000.00 for a new 2 str.,3600.00 for a new 4 str.) between the two motors, but it was by far the smartest boat purchase I have ever made. Number one, reliability. You push the button, it starts...always. I no longer mix oil and fuel, gigantic pain that. I no longer foul plugs at all, even trolling 12-13 hours. Fuel consumption, roughly half of what I used to use. Quiet, when idling, I often have to check pisser to be sure engine is running (no kidding here). Here's the surprise, I expected a negative tradeoff on high-end performance...wrong. I gained four miles an hour on top end. I bought the Mercury because it was considerably cheaper than the other four strokes, but it has been an extremely reliable motor. Go with a four stroke. Price all your brands, go with what you are most comfortable. What's that? Trolling speeds? I was able to troll down to under 1 mph per hour. Most of the bigger boats on Lake Erie have trouble getting under two mph. This translates to a lot more fish, especially earlier in the year. Sorry about the book length answer, but you'll not be sorry, nor underpowered. Pay more now, you'll find it a great investment.

[Funkin Frank]

I have a 40 hp yamaha 4 stroke. This engine can troll all day long without missing a beat. 4 strokes might idle a little higher than a 2 stroke but thier gear ratio is different than a 2 stroke to compensate. The 4 stroke is quieter and get 3 times the mileage of a 2 stroke. 2 stroke do not like to idle for long periods the plugs tend to foul and the fuel mix does not distribute evenly through the engine. The yamaha i bought came with a 5 year warranty. I work for Echo Inc. a 2 stroke engine manufacturer for the lawn and garden industry. I will never own another 2 stroke outboard after having the yamaha 40 4 stroke. Im moving to Florida and will be purchasing a larger boat. Yamaha is coming out with a 225 hp 4 stroke and i hear Honda is right behind them with thiers. Good luck but i would definetly buy the 4 stroke.