Mercury 125 2 stroke vs Mercury 115 4 stroke EFI

[Wally Diver]

I am looking to purchase one of these to put on a 17.5 boat (side counsel either a Crestliner Fish Hawk or a Lund Pro V) I prefer to live bait rig and will use a Minkota 65 bow mount for that. When I do pull plugs I would like to here from people who own these motors if they are able to do so or if they had to put a kicker on. Also if you could tell me what your top end speed is with 2 people set to fish, gas tank full etc. Last question, if you were to replace your motor would you buy the same motor again? If no, why not?

[Skis]

I have the 125 on my 2001 Alumacraft Magnum 175CS. I am in the same boat you are, not using the big motor for much trolling. However, I do pull cranks every once in a while. I can troll around 2-3 MPH for hours without any problems. My top end with two people and a full tank is around 43 MPH.

I would not hesitate to replace with another 125. If I ever decide to put on a kicker, I figured the 125 plus kicker would cost about the same as the 115 4-stroke.

Good luck with your decision!

[Gilligan]

Can't speak on the 125 2 stroke but I've been running a 115 4 stroke this season and love it. This 4 stroke with fuel injection is the easiest starting motor I've ever seen. Only way I wouldn't put this same motor back on would be if Merc had a 4 stroker at 150hp. I have a 19' full windshield and with 3 people it will hit 38. The minimum speed with a 15" prop is 2.2-2.4 which I could get away for faster trolling applications but I chose to add a kicker to hit better lower end speeds as well as keep hours off the big motor.

[deehawk]

I have a 115 Merc 4 stroke on an Alumacraft Magnum 175. Top end speed by myself with full tank of gas is 43 MPH GPS. With two people and fishing gear its 39-40 MPH GPS. The slowest I have trolled with it is 2.6 MPH according to my graph and GPS. I troll mainly with my 24 volt Minn Kota Maxxum so that is not an issue for me. Yes, I would buy it again in a heartbeat. Its a great starting/running motor. Having said that I would have been happy with a 125 as well but my wife and dealer talked me into the 4 stroke. It was $900 difference between the 2 motors. I do know of one person who is running the 125 and he really likes it. Good luck with your choice!

Brian

[Dodge1]

I went through the same dilemma you’re facing last year, for my 17’ 3” Skeeter, and ended up buying the 125 from this dealer http://www.outboardsales.com/index1.htm

With 2 big guys onboard, full tanks and a high five prop, I can hit 46 mph on the GPS. The slowest I’ve been able to get it down to is 2.4 mph but I prefer to use my electric trolling motor for pulling cranks.

I’m extremely pleased with the 125 and would buy it again.

[willy]

I have a alumacraft 175 cs mag with the 125 on it with the 9.9 bigfoot 4-stroke. This is a great combination. I've had it since spring and love it. I have been over to lake erie three times with it and fished with cranks,spoons/dipsies and harnesses. I also go out to Lake Michigan 2or3 times a month plus fish northern wisconsin lakes and southern wisconsin. The 125 is excellent on fuel with the combination of the 4-stroke kicker. example. left vermilion and finished fish in front of lorain 8 hours of running and trolling and an hour return trip of 16 miles in 3 footers only 7.5 gallons of fuel.

[Omega]

I have a 115 4stk on a Fisher Hawk 186 (18'6"). It does 40 mph on the Gps 1 or 2 guys. It trolls down to 2.2 mph which is my favorite speed for cranks if I want slower for suspended spinners I toss a 42" bag and that brings it down to 1.6 mph. I'm like the others here the only way I'd change is if there was a larger 4 stk made. The fuel economy is off the charts, no smell or oil and clean, quick starts with an almost silent running motor.
Rich