[THEFERMANATOR]

Originally Posted by Seacrets

Guys, let's face it. With a 25 year old engine where is the reliability? Rebuilt or not, it's still 25 year old technology. Do I remove the oil pump and pre mix or not? If you troll alot, you'll get tired of fouled plugs. Most manufacturers don't support parts for 25 yr old motors. I personally run a 150 hp Yamaha four stroke on a boat that dresses out at over 4500 lbs. (w/o 5 fishermen onboard). I get 4 mpg with a top speed of 38 mph. It has just under 1000 hrs on it and it's had nothing but normal maintenance. In my business, if I don't go, I don't get paid. I'm on the water over 150 days a year. Loopers, carbs, premix etc. I like words like four stroke, fuel injection, smokeless, quiet, good fuel economy and current technology. It's personal preference and just my $.02. This post has nothing to do with two vs four stroke motors, but reliability. My vote would be for a newer engine, but not a new one unless you plan to keep the boat for several years.

I'm just about the exact opposite, but then again I wrench on my own engines and can't afford repairs on that "NEW TECHNOLOGY". I couldn't tell you how many of them fancy new engines I have towed in with my old style smoke belching loopers. And one of my best trolling engines I EVER had was my 150 MERC XRI. It was a fuel injected engine, but I ran it pre-mix to be safe. That thing would troll for HOURS on end, and all I would get when I gunned it was about a 2 second delay with a smoke cloud and off it went. I don't buy into the newer is always better, but like I said I wrench on my own which changes thing.