25 4 cycle or 40 2 cycle on 13 Sport? - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: Post-Classic Whalers
  25 4 cycle or 40 2 cycle on 13 Sport?

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   25 4 cycle or 40 2 cycle on 13 Sport?

hughmcmillan posted 02-21-2001 09:09 AM ET (US)
I am set to buy a 13 Sport but I have a dilemma concerning which Mercury to get. I can save $400 with the 40 as the dealer has some at $8995 but many aspects of the 4 cycle appeal to me. I like that it is quieter, although I have not heard the difference or seen any stats on db levels. I also like the fact that, as I understand it, I could troll with the 4 cycle better than the 2 cycle. The fact that the 4 cycle is better on fuel consumption and cleaner burning is a plus for sure.
I asked the dealer what the theoretical speeds would be for the two combinations and he told me 33.8 mph for the 40 and 27 mph for the 25. He added that the 4 cycle 40 HP has a speed of 35 mph.
Should I worry about 5-6 mph? I am concerned that the minimum size is 25HP and it seems that the choice between the two motors is a bit extreme. The 40HP is nearly twice the HP of the 25 if my logic is correct.
My intended use of the 13 Sport is as a family boat for my wife and son, 8 in June, to fish, picnic, tour and probably some kind of toy towing/waterskiing activity. We are primarily a family of kayakers and sailors buying our first motorboat. As a kid of 11, I am now 50, I had a 9'4" Squall sailing dinghy with a 3.5 HP motor. BTW, Boston Whaler bought the Squall, from builder Chestnut Hill, as it had the same construction and color scheme as Whaler. Anyway, that is my limit of motor experience and I am really looking for advice on this forum.
I plan to keep the boat in a slip and I was wondering if I should get the optional cleats in the corners.
Many thanks, in advance.
Hugh McMillan
Dick posted 02-21-2001 09:50 AM ET (US)
Hugh
I don't have any experience with the 13 but I do own a 1999 17 Montauk with a Merc 50hp 4 stroke. My boat will run in the mid 30s with two people. I am a firm believer in 4 strokes, quiet, clean and easy on fuel. My thought is that a 25 may be just a little on the low side for anything other than cruising and fishing.
Dick
compounder posted 02-21-2001 10:29 AM ET (US)
Hugh, I've owned 13's with a variety of engines. I believe if I were powering one right now I would have to look closely at the new 40hp Yamaha 4-stroke. According to the spec sheets it weighs several pounds LESS than their 40hp 2-stroke!!
Just from talking with other owners, I think you will be disappointed with the performance from the 25.
Joe
Bill Davis posted 02-21-2001 12:52 PM ET (US)
Hugh--I have a 2000 13 sport, which I got used. That year, apparently, the choice was similar as with this year's model--either a 2 stroke merc or a much lower hp 4 stroke.
That year, though, the 2-stroke merc was a 30 hp, as the sport was then limited by the coast guard to a 30 hp max. Mine came with the merc 30.
I was at first sorry I didn't have the 4 stroke 25 for all the reasons you recited.
But now I am happy with my merc [my first motor boat too!, at 50 yrs.], and want to step it up [by some carborator changes or something] to a 40 hp. I think you will want the power if you are going to pull kids or run fast. I haven't tried 4 adults on my Sport yer, but someone on here has already suggested that the load may be a struggle for the 30.
Most folks don't realize that the 13 Sport is now a boat/motor/trailer package with the only factory option being the choice between two motors.
bill
Bill Davis posted 02-21-2001 12:55 PM ET (US)
oh, and get the cleats. The stock model doesn't have any!
stagalv posted 02-21-2001 03:31 PM ET (US)
There is a guy who made a new post today in the "Performance" section of the forum. He is asking for help in making his new 13 Whaler go faster with the 25hp. Maybe you should exchange messages with him. I think it would help make your decision to buy the larger 2 stroke engine. Rex
2001 13 Sport Owner posted 02-21-2001 04:45 PM ET (US)
I just a new Sport with the 25HP 4-Stroke engine. I am a little disappointed that I did not go with the 40HP 2-Stroke. I use mine to fish in the bays along the Texas Gulf Coast and with all my equipment and 2 people it just does not have enough power for me. Yes, you are right about the quietness and good fuel consumption. For the uses you are describing, I would go with the 40 HP 2-Stroke. Especially if you are thinking about towing a water skier. The boat itself is a wonderful boat. I am also a first time buyer and can't say enough good things about the boat. Just wish I had more horsepower. Good Luck. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.
hughmcmillan posted 02-21-2001 06:54 PM ET (US)
Wow, I am impressed by the responses.
It is a shame, IMHO, that the 13 Sport only has the two options. The dealer is in a poor position to give a good price on an upgraded unit such as the 40 HP 4 Cycle.

I was told that it would cost in the neighborhood of $11, 000 for the 4 stroke 40 HP. When the 2 stroke can be had for $8,995 that seems to be pretty expensive. Since I don't know anything of outboard motor prices I don't know how a poor deal it is.
Thanks for the pointer on the cleats. Does their usefulness outweigh their possibly of being in the way?
I have more questions on other topics which I will ask seperately... I hope you all don't get sick of the questions.
Hugh
whalernut posted 02-21-2001 08:46 PM ET (US)
If you`re new `13 Sport has a Norman Pin as the old `13 sport had, you can attatch you`re lines to it. I did with my 71` `13 Sport and now with my 73` `16 Currituck. I have cutouts(with flaps with velcrow) made in my Mills Mooring Cover for access to the Norman Pin. Regards-Jack graner.
hughmcmillan posted 02-22-2001 07:34 AM ET (US)
No Norman pin in the Sport 13. There is a ring in its place if I recall correctly.
-Hugh
tbyrne posted 02-22-2001 10:23 AM ET (US)
If you want to pull anyone, go with the 40. I have the 25hp 4-stroke on a 2000 Sport 13 and the power is just adequate for my needs - fishing, usually alone. If I was going to always run with 2 or 3 people, I'd go with the 40.
As to cleats, I just use the ring in the hatch - you could also try the bow eye. The stern eyelets work fine, too. If I were to install optional cleats, I'd make sure they were thru-bolted, not just screwed into the hull/phenolic board. Just my $.02 -

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: 25 4 cycle or 40 2 cycle on 13 Sport?
hughmcmillan	posted 02-21-2001 09:09 AM ET (US) I am set to buy a 13 Sport but I have a dilemma concerning which Mercury to get. I can save $400 with the 40 as the dealer has some at $8995 but many aspects of the 4 cycle appeal to me. I like that it is quieter, although I have not heard the difference or seen any stats on db levels. I also like the fact that, as I understand it, I could troll with the 4 cycle better than the 2 cycle. The fact that the 4 cycle is better on fuel consumption and cleaner burning is a plus for sure. I asked the dealer what the theoretical speeds would be for the two combinations and he told me 33.8 mph for the 40 and 27 mph for the 25. He added that the 4 cycle 40 HP has a speed of 35 mph. Should I worry about 5-6 mph? I am concerned that the minimum size is 25HP and it seems that the choice between the two motors is a bit extreme. The 40HP is nearly twice the HP of the 25 if my logic is correct. My intended use of the 13 Sport is as a family boat for my wife and son, 8 in June, to fish, picnic, tour and probably some kind of toy towing/waterskiing activity. We are primarily a family of kayakers and sailors buying our first motorboat. As a kid of 11, I am now 50, I had a 9'4" Squall sailing dinghy with a 3.5 HP motor. BTW, Boston Whaler bought the Squall, from builder Chestnut Hill, as it had the same construction and color scheme as Whaler. Anyway, that is my limit of motor experience and I am really looking for advice on this forum. I plan to keep the boat in a slip and I was wondering if I should get the optional cleats in the corners. Many thanks, in advance. Hugh McMillan
Dick	posted 02-21-2001 09:50 AM ET (US) Hugh I don't have any experience with the 13 but I do own a 1999 17 Montauk with a Merc 50hp 4 stroke. My boat will run in the mid 30s with two people. I am a firm believer in 4 strokes, quiet, clean and easy on fuel. My thought is that a 25 may be just a little on the low side for anything other than cruising and fishing. Dick
compounder	posted 02-21-2001 10:29 AM ET (US) Hugh, I've owned 13's with a variety of engines. I believe if I were powering one right now I would have to look closely at the new 40hp Yamaha 4-stroke. According to the spec sheets it weighs several pounds LESS than their 40hp 2-stroke!! Just from talking with other owners, I think you will be disappointed with the performance from the 25. Joe
Bill Davis	posted 02-21-2001 12:52 PM ET (US) Hugh--I have a 2000 13 sport, which I got used. That year, apparently, the choice was similar as with this year's model--either a 2 stroke merc or a much lower hp 4 stroke. That year, though, the 2-stroke merc was a 30 hp, as the sport was then limited by the coast guard to a 30 hp max. Mine came with the merc 30. I was at first sorry I didn't have the 4 stroke 25 for all the reasons you recited. But now I am happy with my merc [my first motor boat too!, at 50 yrs.], and want to step it up [by some carborator changes or something] to a 40 hp. I think you will want the power if you are going to pull kids or run fast. I haven't tried 4 adults on my Sport yer, but someone on here has already suggested that the load may be a struggle for the 30. Most folks don't realize that the 13 Sport is now a boat/motor/trailer package with the only factory option being the choice between two motors. bill
Bill Davis	posted 02-21-2001 12:55 PM ET (US) oh, and get the cleats. The stock model doesn't have any!
stagalv	posted 02-21-2001 03:31 PM ET (US) There is a guy who made a new post today in the "Performance" section of the forum. He is asking for help in making his new 13 Whaler go faster with the 25hp. Maybe you should exchange messages with him. I think it would help make your decision to buy the larger 2 stroke engine. Rex
2001 13 Sport Owner	posted 02-21-2001 04:45 PM ET (US) I just a new Sport with the 25HP 4-Stroke engine. I am a little disappointed that I did not go with the 40HP 2-Stroke. I use mine to fish in the bays along the Texas Gulf Coast and with all my equipment and 2 people it just does not have enough power for me. Yes, you are right about the quietness and good fuel consumption. For the uses you are describing, I would go with the 40 HP 2-Stroke. Especially if you are thinking about towing a water skier. The boat itself is a wonderful boat. I am also a first time buyer and can't say enough good things about the boat. Just wish I had more horsepower. Good Luck. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.
hughmcmillan	posted 02-21-2001 06:54 PM ET (US) Wow, I am impressed by the responses. It is a shame, IMHO, that the 13 Sport only has the two options. The dealer is in a poor position to give a good price on an upgraded unit such as the 40 HP 4 Cycle. I was told that it would cost in the neighborhood of $11, 000 for the 4 stroke 40 HP. When the 2 stroke can be had for $8,995 that seems to be pretty expensive. Since I don't know anything of outboard motor prices I don't know how a poor deal it is. Thanks for the pointer on the cleats. Does their usefulness outweigh their possibly of being in the way? I have more questions on other topics which I will ask seperately... I hope you all don't get sick of the questions. Hugh
whalernut	posted 02-21-2001 08:46 PM ET (US) If you`re new `13 Sport has a Norman Pin as the old `13 sport had, you can attatch you`re lines to it. I did with my 71` `13 Sport and now with my 73` `16 Currituck. I have cutouts(with flaps with velcrow) made in my Mills Mooring Cover for access to the Norman Pin. Regards-Jack graner.
hughmcmillan	posted 02-22-2001 07:34 AM ET (US) No Norman pin in the Sport 13. There is a ring in its place if I recall correctly. -Hugh
tbyrne	posted 02-22-2001 10:23 AM ET (US) If you want to pull anyone, go with the 40. I have the 25hp 4-stroke on a 2000 Sport 13 and the power is just adequate for my needs - fishing, usually alone. If I was going to always run with 2 or 3 people, I'd go with the 40. As to cleats, I just use the ring in the hatch - you could also try the bow eye. The stern eyelets work fine, too. If I were to install optional cleats, I'd make sure they were thru-bolted, not just screwed into the hull/phenolic board. Just my $.02 -