bassmaster8100 Posted July 16, 2012 Posted July 16, 2012 I'm going to be purchasing a new BassTracker Pro Team 175 around the year and trying to decide whether I wanna go with the Mercury 60 HP 4 Stroke or the 75 HP 2 Stroke. Which one would you recommend and why? Pros and Cons? Quote
Catch N Release Posted July 16, 2012 Posted July 16, 2012 I just bought a lowe boat with a 75 merc,,it has a great hole shot and throws the boat up on plane quik. Quote
200racing Posted July 16, 2012 Posted July 16, 2012 75hp 2stroke. i never heard anyone say i wish i had a slower motor. it would probably will be cheaper for long term ownership. and they smell great. Quote
Super User Fishing Rhino Posted July 16, 2012 Super User Posted July 16, 2012 Pros 2 stroke: lower cost, lighter weight, more hp per pound. Cons: not as smooth, quiet, or economical to operate. The four strokes are getting pretty close to the 2 strokes as far as power to weight goes. As far as hp goes, I suppose there are some who routinely run around with the throttle pegged, but I don't know anyone who does. My boat is capable of 60+ mph, but I cruise in the 30 and 40 mph range. Once in a while I'll let it out, and run it wide open for a few minutes. Quote
Super User 00 mod Posted July 16, 2012 Super User Posted July 16, 2012 I will never have another non electric start or non 4 stroke....... Just saying! Jeff Quote
Super User Fishing Rhino Posted July 16, 2012 Super User Posted July 16, 2012 I will never have another non electric start or non 4 stroke....... Just saying! Jeff When I saw you posted a reply, it reminded me of the maelstrom we went through to get back to the ramp in Guntersville. A 25 hp engine would have got us back just as fast as the 200 on the stern. Was a great day but for the last two or three miles. Quote
Catch N Release Posted July 16, 2012 Posted July 16, 2012 Pros 2 stroke: lower cost, lighter weight, more hp per pound. Cons: not as smooth, quiet, or economical to operate. The four strokes are getting pretty close to the 2 strokes as far as power to weight goes. As far as hp goes, I suppose there are some who routinely run around with the throttle pegged, but I don't know anyone who does. My boat is capable of 60+ mph, but I cruise in the 30 and 40 mph range. Once in a while I'll let it out, and run it wide open for a few minutes. The 2 stroke 75 cost more then the 60 4 stroke,,The 4 stroke might not be as quite as the 2,but i can still have a convo on the boat while running and not have to yell.And my last fishin trip we fished for 3 days from sun up to sun down and use around 12 gallons of gas. I know lowe boats have a few Youtube vids on the 75,,,tracker might have some of the same... Quote
Super User Jig Man Posted July 16, 2012 Super User Posted July 16, 2012 In the long run it won't make a lot of difference on the motors as long as you get the Optimax or 4 stroke. If you pull down on the throttle the Opti will get good mpg. Just don't let them fix you up with one of those Force motors. They are owned by Merc but once were Chryslers and are not really the same as Mercs. Quote
smbrule Posted July 16, 2012 Posted July 16, 2012 A difficult decision. The 75 hp two stroke is the better match for all around performance. The decision comes down to what you expect, how many passengers you would usually have in the boat, the distance traveled, etc. I assume that the 75 is not an Optimax--if it was it would be a no brainer.. I have had experience with both the 75 hp Merc two stroke and a 60 hp Merc four stroke on my boat. My boat is a 16'5 foot older Crestliner that bare weighs in at 750 pounds. With the 60 four stroke merc, three batteries, trolling motor, 17 gallons of gas and tackle and misc gear the total weight is around 1300 pounds. Add another 50# for the 75 two stroke. Your boat initially weighs more. And, I would suggest a 24 v trolling motor. I've fished Lake of the Woods in Ontario one or two weeks each year ever since I had the boat. Initially I had a 60 hp two stroke merc tiller on the boat and after getting caught several times on the big water and high winds put a 75 hp merc two stroke and a console. It was just two darn hard to see over the bow when there were big waves and in the back with the tiller. Because I was fishing Woods went with the 75. After ten years the 75 needed work and as I fish idle only lakes about 50 days out of the year I decided to replace the motor with a 60 hp Merc four stroke. The 75 four stroke option was just too heavy. I've fished Woods with the 60 four stroke in the past four years totaling around 800 miles. Myself and a passenger add 350 pounds and a live well when full add another 100# . On its' best day the four stroke goes 34 mph while the 75 merc went 39 mph gps. The fourstroke does not get on plane as fast, but it still very acceptable and at low to midrange off plane it will climb the waves that were higher in the trough than the bow as well as the 75. Gas milage when running around 5000 rpm is better, at 6.5 mpg with the four stroke vs 3.5 with the 75. At gas $5-6 a gallon on Woods the four is especially cheaper to run. And of course instant start and no smoke. For me, I would never go back to a basic two stroke, but would consider a optimax type two stroke. Quote
AndyTN Posted July 17, 2012 Posted July 17, 2012 I just picked up the same boat with the 60hp 4 stroke several months ago. I will never go back. It's quiet and it sips fuel which translates to days of fishing on a single tank. I don't need the initial speed anymore ( never really did ) but I sure like to hold a conversation without the smell along with the gas and oil savings and additional range. Two strokes are being fazed out in many industries for various reasons, outboards are heading the same way. Quote
bassmaster8100 Posted July 17, 2012 Author Posted July 17, 2012 I just picked up the same boat with the 60hp 4 stroke several months ago. I will never go back. It's quiet and it sips fuel which translates to days of fishing on a single tank. I don't need the initial speed anymore ( never really did ) but I sure like to hold a conversation without the smell along with the gas and oil savings and additional range. Two strokes are being fazed out in many industries for various reasons, outboards are heading the same way. How fast does it run? Any idea what kinda fuel mileage it is? Quote
AndyTN Posted July 18, 2012 Posted July 18, 2012 I really can't comment on the top speed because I truly doubt the accuracy/consistency of the stock gauge. I also have primarily been fishing at night this summer so I'm not opening her up in the dark. As for the mileage I'm averaging anywhere from 8 - 12 miles a trip depending on where I'm fishing on Norris Lake. The 12 gallon tank will last four outings with some to spare. Reliable and efficient is all I was looking for and I have no complaints. As a side note, last year the BP in Sevierville, TN was loaded with Bass Trackers with 2 strokes all on sale. This was the primary reason I did not get one then. This year when I got mine, there were no 2 stroke there. You pay more in the initial price but make up for it quickly if you use the boat on a regular basis. I use it 1-2 times a week so fuel cost is a real issue for me. Quote
bassmaster8100 Posted July 18, 2012 Author Posted July 18, 2012 I really can't comment on the top speed because I truly doubt the accuracy/consistency of the stock gauge. I also have primarily been fishing at night this summer so I'm not opening her up in the dark. As for the mileage I'm averaging anywhere from 8 - 12 miles a trip depending on where I'm fishing on Norris Lake. The 12 gallon tank will last four outings with some to spare. Reliable and efficient is all I was looking for and I have no complaints. As a side note, last year the BP in Sevierville, TN was loaded with Bass Trackers with 2 strokes all on sale. This was the primary reason I did not get one then. This year when I got mine, there were no 2 stroke there. You pay more in the initial price but make up for it quickly if you use the boat on a regular basis. I use it 1-2 times a week so fuel cost is a real issue for me. Yea I looked at them at BP in Pearl, MS they mostly have the 4 strokes but they do have some 2 strokes on hand as well. I fish 3-4 times a week when I can keep my old boat running so fuel consumption is somewhat important to me. Quote
smbrule Posted July 18, 2012 Posted July 18, 2012 I thought that four strokes and the optimax give similar gas milage. This link provides some data on speed and gas milage for various Merc engines and boats. http://www.mercurymarine.com/engines/engine-tests/outboards/ Quote
smbrule Posted July 18, 2012 Posted July 18, 2012 What I don't like on the 75 Merc Optimax is its weight. The 75 has the same weight as the 90 and 115. And on some of the smaller boats that are rated for a 75 maxmum the 75 is a lot of weight on the transom. When I had my 75 older two stroke which weighed in at 315# I got a lot more water over the transom at times. The 75 Optimax was not considered when I switched engines as it weighs in at 375#. Quote
bassmaster8100 Posted July 18, 2012 Author Posted July 18, 2012 I thought that four strokes and the optimax give similar gas milage. This link provides some data on speed and gas milage for various Merc engines and boats. http://www.mercurymarine.com/engines/engine-tests/outboards/ Some great info there. The fuel consumption is very close. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.