On Jan 5, 7:42*am, wrote:
Hoping this works cause I'm at work trying to access the ng through
Google...

Anyway, I'm considering purchasing another boat and see now that
Tracker is selling mostly with four stroke engines. I'll assume that
this means no more mixing oil and gas which is a positive, and that
the engine will not be as loud. Most likely will be a little slower
compared to a two stroke too, right? Speed aint that important to me
as I'm only looking at about a 40hp anyway.

I remember winterizing my two stroke... but I'm wondering about the
four stroke. Since it doesn't burn oil, I really wouldn't have to
about oil gumming up the fuel injection, like I did with the carbs...
Speaking of fuel injections, how's the gas consumption?

I know... I'm sounding like a noob again!

Not at all. Good questions.

Here I go again. I typed out a thorough response earlier, but it
never appeared. Bass & Walleye Boats Magazine recently tested most of
the major 50HP pllayers on the market. If you are looking at 60s I am
sure they would test similarly. The Merc 4 stroke had the best fuel
economy and the best top speed, but nearly the worst hole shot of all
engines tested. The Merc 2 stroke had the best hole shot and the 2nd
best top speed (about 1 mph difference), but nearly the worst fuel
economy. When they totalled the score for all of the outboards tested
for all of the scoring criteria the Merc 2 stroke rated the highest.
Its also the least expensive outboard in the group. They tested
Honda, Merc, Evinrude, Yamaha, and one of two others for 8 outboards
total I think. Since you are looking at Tracker and they only offer
them as package deals with Mercury outboards there is no reason to
look at the specific results for the other motors. If you want a
great hole shot to clear shallow water obstructions quickly go with
the Merc 2 stroke. If you need emmissions for places like Diamond
Valley and Tahoe, then look at the Merc 4 stroke.

For the naysayers, They used several identical hulls, and let the
factory teams install, setup, and drive their own outboards. BWB
staff road along and recorded the results with their own
instruments.

Since this was a performance test of brand new outboards I can not
speak to maintenance or durability, but I have sure run the heck out
of my 2005 Merc 2 stroke. Also, the O in ELPTO means oil injected.
You just keep the oil tank full on the outboard and put gas in the
tank. No mixing involved. On mine there is a cap that comes out
through the top of the cowling that I can open and add 2 stroke oil.
The only maintenance I do is add oil, change the lower unit oil once a
year, and put in a new water pump impellor every year (sandy river
running). I can do all of that myself fairly easily. I do check the
plugs, but so far its still purring on the original factory set. The
same maintenance I would do on any outboard.

A 4 stroke does require an oil change periodically just like your car
or truck, so that would add to the maintenance cost.

JMHO
Bob La Londe
www.YumaBassMan.com