Hi,

I am in the process of upgrading the engine for my 14' Sea nymph 14R.  It has a max HP of 25.  I am currently running a 1977 Chysler 7.5hp.  

I am looking at getting a new or slightly used engine (2000 and up) with a 15" short shaft.  I am looking at engines from Mercury, Johnson / Evinrude, Yamaha, and Nissan.  

I am looking at tiller engines in the 9.9 to 15hp range, with the possibility of going with a 18 to 25hp.  

One of my concerns is with getting a two stroke or four stroke.  I have heard that due to EPA regulations, all new engines will be 4's, and two strokes would be "grandfathered" in.  

Does anyone have opinions on two or four stroke engines, brand, maintenance, problems, manual elec. start.

I have also heard you can take a 9.9 and add a 15hp carb and make it a 15hp?

Thanks,

HW

I think there was a good post a while back about 2 vs 4 strokes.  Might be worth looking for, but I also have a boat set up something like yours.  I am running a 97 8hp honda and love it.  Now I got it at a great deal so that help in my deciding to go with a four stroke.  If you are looking for "speed" the two stroke will be the way to go because it will be a good bit lighter.  I like my four stroke because its quiet and I dont have to worry with mixing gas and oil.  Yes you can play with the carb on a 9.9 and make it a 15hp however if you get a new motor that may void the warranty, so I would ask before I did it.  As far as the EPA and regs on 2 strokes I dont know I have hurd that as well but dont know if there is any truth to it or when that will take place.

If I were looking for a small to medium motor I'd buy the 4 stroke then I'd not have to worry about EPA rulings.

It up to you. I run 2 strokes, but 4 strokes are nice.

2 strokes are faster, lighter, cheeper, and easy to maintain ( if your area does not mandate 4 strokes I would go with a 2 stroke)

4 strokes are heavier, and slower, and need some maintance ( oil changes), but are quiet and use less gas.

check out this we site they have some nice small motors and change all the time. There is a newer short shaft tiller 25hp 4 stroke yamy for $2500 http://www.smalloutboards.com/

If I were looking for a small to medium motor I'd buy the 4 stroke then I'd not have to worry about EPA rulings.

The EPA has not and will not rule against two stroke motors. ( some states have ) What they WILL do is set down emission standards. The limititations and quantities of emissions a motor must meet in order to be legal, This will be done in parts per million, Millileters per hours..yadda yadda yadda. If two stroke motors meet these guidelines they will be legal. Motors like the E-Tec and the OptiMax are examples.

So long a people want them and manufactuers are willing to meet those guidelines...there will be two stroke motors. That does not mean that manufactuers will not just simply move to making only four strokes for the sake of production and cost effectiveness. ( like Yamaha is )

I know Yamaha and anyone who sells Yamaha will tell you differently. ( have spoken to several dealers and they all said the two strokes are going to be illegal in a few years)...but this is just them protecting their own interest in the four stroke market.

I called my State EPA and asked about this. I was thinking maybe Yamaha had some info everyone else did not or maybe they were really good at judging future market necessities...

My state EPA explained the above.

If I were looking for a small to medium motor I'd buy the 4 stroke then I'd not have to worry about EPA rulings.

The EPA has not and will not rule against two stroke motors. ( some states have ) What they WILL do is set down emission standards. The limititations and quantities of emissions a motor must meet in order to be legal, This will be done in parts per million, Millileters per hours..yadda yadda yadda. If two stroke motors meet these guidelines they will be legal. Motors like the E-Tec and the OptiMax are examples.

So long a people want them and manufactuers are willing to meet those guidelines...there will be two stroke motors. That does not mean that manufactuers will not just simply move to making only four strokes for the sake of production and cost effectiveness. ( like Yamaha is )

I know Yamaha and anyone who sells Yamaha will tell you differently. ( have spoken to several dealers and they all said the two strokes are going to be illegal in a few years)...but this is just them protecting their own interest in the four stroke market.

I called my State EPA and asked about this. I was thinking maybe Yamaha had some info everyone else did not or maybe they were really good at judging future market necessities...

My state EPA explained the above.

Oh and my state EPA...Indiana...says that they are not aware of any rulings, push, or interest in banning Two Stroke motors. They did say that there are states with legislation in the works and mentioned California, Michigan, New Jersey...and one of the Dakota states.

so you might want to check with your state before deciding

Another thing about 4 strokes, you can't take it off the boat and lay it in the back of your truck like the 2 strokes, they have to stay in a near vertical position.

FWIW my understanding of the whole outboard thing is, like cars, all new models, whether 2 or 4 cycle, will need to meet the new emission standards. The older ones will not be banned. They will just fade away as people upgrade their outboards.

That being said. Some states may limit the use of two cycle outboards on some lake. Like Lake Tahoe. the only two cycles allowed are under 10HP or direct injection.

The federal government will find it hard to ban old two cycles just from the huge amount of them. I have a 1990 40 HP and a 1973 9.8HP my friend has a 1985 25 HP and a 2000 9.9 and they are still running fine. I see no need to replace them at this time or my life time. They will have to pry it from my cold dead fingers.