Northwest Fishing Reports

I am looking at repowering my Lund WC 16. Currently, I have a 15hp 2 stroke Suzuki. It pushes it alright but it seems like the bare minimum power you'd want on that size boat. I often use it in lakes and sometimes the Sound. I don't feel it has enough power for rivers.

The boat is rated at a max hp of 25 and that's what I would like to get. My questions are:
1. 2 or 4 stroke and why? I have a trolling motor already and use the gasser to get to and from fishing holes.
2. If a 4 stroke, will it be too heavy for my transom?
3. Which brands would you reccommend and stay away from and why?

I know this is a broad topic but I'm just now starting to look. Thanks.

You'd want a 4 stroke because no oil and gas mixing and quieter with better fuel economy. I would probably get a honda or yamaha because of reliability. Just my opinion.

Max it out. 25hp. Your correct in getting the max HP. There are some pump conversions for 25hp motors so you COULD run skinny waters and rivers with those.

Yamaha or Honda in my opinion. Yamaha seems to be about as bombproof as can be. The smaller Merc's aren't bad either. Mercury makes a 25hp jet I believe. Heck, I hear nothing but great things about Evinrudes "E-tecs" and if my memory serves me correctly I'd say that they have a 25 hp model. Look into it.

Yamaha 25hp 4 stroke runs 170 lbs. 2 stroke, same HP runs 105 pounds. If you get a power tilt or electric starter your going to weigh your boat down more. Its up to you on the weight. Try a buddies motor on your boat to see the weight ratio. OR if your current 15hp Suzuki weighs like 90 pounds, put an extra 15 lbs of weight in the very back of the boat to mimic a 25hp/2 stroke or another 80 lbs to mimic a 25hp 4 stroke. See how it sits and how it planes. One thing you don't want is for the motor to be so heavy that when you come off of plane to a halt water will fly over the rear transom because of the weight. So if weight is an issue, then your essentially stuck with a 2 stroke.

2 vs 4 stroke is up to you. I like 4 strokes on boats, plus its better for the environment and better mileage. No mixing gas either. But I'd really consider an E-tec. Next boat I repower will be seeing an E-tec.

2 stroke without the bells and whistles will be a lot cheaper than a 4 stroke but they probably won't be as available as 4 strokes. It really comes down to getting the best deal with this market. Shops can't be selling a ton and you could probably very well find a 2008 or even a 2007 model in some stores and they'd cut you a sweeter deal on that versus a 2009/10.

One thing to consider if you put on a 25 hp jet is that they are 40 hp power heads as the inefficient outboard jet units have a large power loss and need 40 hp power heads to get 25 at the pump.. So they are probably going to be too heavy for your transom rating.

Thanks for the ideas guys. I'm not planning on a jet at all. I think if I were to run a river with it, it'd be the Snohomish were I could still use a prop.

As far as the 2 vs 4 stroke, I'm very concerned about the weight issue. The boat was built in 2000 and it's got a 15" transom rated at 25hp. Would that be sufficient enough to run a 25hp 4 stroke though? I was looking at the Yamahas and saw the 2 stroke weighs only 107lbs. My current Suzuki 15hp weights that so I know how the boat will sit with that weight. I just don't know if it would handle 170lbs + the oil weight and all that.

Either way, the 10 extra hp will really hep push the boat better.

Clarkbre,

Hi, do you remember me... you sent me a lot of pics. of that cool conversion thingy you did with a casting platform on your boat. I have a 2007 Lund WC 14' pretty much the same boat. I have a 2007 Merc. 25 HP. 4 stroke.
I think that it is a great motor. I suppose that I can't compare other brands, just because this is all I've had. However it has never left me stuck anywhere. I just wanted to say you have NOTHING to worry about as far as whether your transom/boat can handle the weight of the 170lb motor or not. My boat is 2' smaller, and my 25 hp is 175lbs. I go all over the Sound, lake WA. etc. I can get it at about 23 mph in smooth water, with gear on board.
I would say forget the 2 stroke, mixing mess, loud, etc. Another thing... at least with the newer 4 strokes, (or my Merc.) you can really get down to a slow troll speed. I can get about 1.0 mph depending on the amount of chop on the water.

Let us know what you do.

I own a 14' Starcraft with a 25hp Suzuki. The boat is rated for a 30hp The 25 is enough. I can cruse at 35mph with a passenger and 41mph by myself. As far as mixing, Mine is a 2 stroke and it has the auto mixing?? Very good motor and one of the only company's that rate HP at the prop. The choice is yours just wanted to weigh in.

Scott

2 stroke is done and soon:-$ other then the E-tec monsters:cheers: the Big Brother will cut the 2 strokes faster then the weed wackers in you back yard! SOON

Buddy I want to see 41 mph in that rivit bucket on the sound and soon will lead you out and set the speed at 40 mph:-$

Go Evinrude E-TEC!

Best damn motor I've EVER had. Good economy, low oil usage, quiet and lightweight. GUARANTEED to start on the first revolution every time. What more can you ask for?