Finally im about to be a boat owner again

[Bassbully 51]

to each their own but I was slam tired of 2 strokes and certainly didn't want another one of ANY flavor. Just turn the key and go - no adding more adding oil to gas.

After owning carbed motor 2 strokes and EFI 2 strokes I'm going to really enjoy some of the great feature of owning a four stroke.

[bluefisherman429]

Redback im me we can talk about the boat. I live in Isabel la. just south of Bogalusa not far from you.

[TritonTRXV8]

Lowes 18Hp is a good boat I like mine very much. Get the 22 trophy 11. Stock mine will do 50.1 with just me and gear 48 with 2 people and gear on gps. Seat time will help with any porpoising problems you have. Get upgrade tm maybe mk 80# stock tm mg Noisy. Lowe real great with warranty stuff.

How do you like the trophy and its overall performance. In most cases it seems that prop runs best in addition to a jack plate just wondering how yours runs. What rpm are you able to spin that prop to? Bet thats a nice boat with that pro xs on there.

[slonezp]

After owning carbed motor 2 strokes and EFI 2 strokes I'm going to really enjoy some of the great feature of owning a four stroke.

The 4 stroke 225 was $2500 more than the ProXS when I bought my boat. I could buy a lot of 2 stroke oil for that. Performance wise, at least with the bigger motors, the 2's get better fuel economy than the 4's and have a higher top end. The drawbacks are the smell/smoke and they run louder. If I trolled for walleyes all day, there's no question I'd get a 4. I do know this. I tied up to a buddies boat last summer to BS. There was no wind to speak of. He had a Yammie 70 4 stroke. I had to shut down because of the smell/smoke. He kept his motor running and I couldn't even hear the damn thin let alone smell it.

[TritonTRXV8]

The 4 stroke 225 was $2500 more than the ProXS when I bought my boat. I could buy a lot of 2 stroke oil for that. Performance wise, at least with the bigger motors, the 2's get better fuel economy than the 4's and have a higher top end. The drawbacks are the smell/smoke and they run louder. If I trolled for walleyes all day, there's no question I'd get a 4. I do know this. I tied up to a buddies boat last summer to BS. There was no wind to speak of. He had a Yammie 70 4 stroke. I had to shut down because of the smell/smoke. He kept his motor running and I couldn't even hear the damn thin let alone smell it.

If you shop around you can find the oil for fairly reasonable. I have a shop nearby that sells the 3 gallon cases of DFI merc oil for $89. 3 gallons lasts me around 2 years so I figure that pretty good. $2500 is a big price jump but alot would depend on the type of fishing like you said. I know I wouldnt troll with my opti either but I know I will never be doing any of that. Do you run DFI oil in yours? I found the exhaust odor to be far less with that oil than the premium plus. Mine smokes less also hardly any at all other than the first start up on a cold morning.

[slonezp]

I run the DFI. It sells locally for $45-$48 a gallon. I buy it from here Optimax : Oil, Outboard Motor Oil, Yamalube, Evinrude Oil, Mercury Oil, 2 Cycle Oil, Bulk Oil. Discount Online Marine Oil and even paying tax and shipping, I come out ahead. I burned thru maybe around 6 gallons last year and that included break in.

[Tommy O.]

The Optimax Pro XS motors are nothing like the 2 strokes of old. Direct injection vs carbs is a giant difference. Heck, I wouldnt buy one of the 2 stokes of old again either. But I would buy my direct fuel injected Pro XS again in a heartbeat.

[TominTN]

Duck - did I read that right inproper / low octane gas? That kind of gives me a bad feeling about this Yamaha I bought last year.

[Wildcat Dude]

I've seen Don comment to a few guys about them not using the higher grade gas for their particular motors, so I made sure that mine was compatible with 89 octane. Some of those motors need 93. Yep, on my 4 stroke its EFI, I love it and yah, I do a lot of slow idling/trolling until I decide to switch to the TM. Redback, did you ask the dealer to switch out to the saltwater type TM or what does come with that boat??? Coming down to your neck of the woods about the end of next month - but going further south to Port Fourchon just north of Grand Isle. I've found a GREAT motel called Galliano Inn about 30 miles from Port Fourchon that has a GREAT handicap equipped room. I also like fishing Dularge area south of Houma (stay in Houma).

I know you're excited about getting out there - you gonna have to show these Yankee boys what fish you all have down there

[slonezp]

Duck - did I read that right inproper / low octane gas? That kind of gives me a bad feeling about this Yamaha I bought last year.

Gives me a bad feeling about Yamaha's warranty coverage

[Redback]

As usual a lot of good info here. Thanks for the replies. Ultimately for me it came down to money. To swap it out with the 4 stroke yam would have been I think 2200 or so by the time they replaced tach wiring gauges etc. Giving me the 5 yr warranty made me feel a lot more comfortable, especially with there reputation for service which I have heard nothing bad. This is the boat im getting : Standard Features:

Hull Color- Black
16 oz. Marine Carpet
Mooring Cleats
Acrylic Console w/Soft Grip Wheel
Switch Panel
MotorGuide FW46FB 12V Trolling Motor
Lowrance X4 Pro S Compact Fish Finder
2 Fishing Seats
1 Forward Aerated Livewell
Plug & Play Gauges: Tach, Speed, Fuel & Trim
1 Grab Handle
1 Passenger Seat
1 Driver Seat
Center Seat
1 Rear Aerated Livewell
Dual Front Rod Lockers
Seat Bases
Rear Tackle Organizer (2)
Rod Bungee Holder
Bow Storage Box
Stern Battery Storage
Stern Storage Box
Under Seat Storage
Bilge Pump
Navigation Lights


Upgraded Options:
Ratchet Tie Downs
Tilt Steering
Deluxe Chrome Accent Steering Wheel
Pro Fishing Seats
Recirculating Stern Livewell
Lowrance Mark X5 Mounted on Bow
Lowrance Mark X5 Mounted on Console
Motorguide FW75FB 24V Trolling Motor
Welded on Transducer Bracket
Dual Bank Charger
Rod Rack Insert
Transom Saver
Mercury 115 Optimax Pro XS
SS Prop
Batteries Good luck on the Trip Wildcat :) Don't know anything about the hotel but I know there is some darn good fishing where your headed. They don't call La. "Sportsman's Paradise" for nothing lol. keep me posted on how you make out.

[TritonTRXV8]

As usual a lot of good info here. Thanks for the replies. Ultimately for me it came down to money. To swap it out with the 4 stroke yam would have been I think 2200 or so by the time they replaced tach wiring gauges etc. Giving me the 5 yr warranty made me feel a lot more comfortable, especially with there reputation for service which I have heard nothing bad. This is the boat im getting : Standard Features:

Hull Color- Black
16 oz. Marine Carpet
Mooring Cleats
Acrylic Console w/Soft Grip Wheel
Switch Panel
MotorGuide FW46FB 12V Trolling Motor
Lowrance X4 Pro S Compact Fish Finder
2 Fishing Seats
1 Forward Aerated Livewell
Plug & Play Gauges: Tach, Speed, Fuel & Trim
1 Grab Handle
1 Passenger Seat
1 Driver Seat
Center Seat
1 Rear Aerated Livewell
Dual Front Rod Lockers
Seat Bases
Rear Tackle Organizer (2)
Rod Bungee Holder
Bow Storage Box
Stern Battery Storage
Stern Storage Box
Under Seat Storage
Bilge Pump
Navigation Lights


Upgraded Options:
Ratchet Tie Downs
Tilt Steering
Deluxe Chrome Accent Steering Wheel
Pro Fishing Seats
Recirculating Stern Livewell
Lowrance Mark X5 Mounted on Bow
Lowrance Mark X5 Mounted on Console
Motorguide FW75FB 24V Trolling Motor
Welded on Transducer Bracket
Dual Bank Charger
Rod Rack Insert
Transom Saver
Mercury 115 Optimax Pro XS
SS Prop
Batteries Good luck on the Trip Wildcat :) Don't know anything about the hotel but I know there is some darn good fishing where your headed. They don't call La. "Sportsman's Paradise" for nothing lol. keep me posted on how you make out.

Sounds like a great boat. Thats gonna be very nice. Is the trolling motor you added a motorguidr tour or freshwater 75?

[TritonTRXV8]

Duck - did I read that right inproper / low octane gas? That kind of gives me a bad feeling about this Yamaha I bought last year.

The gas octane should not be a factor on that engine. Nothing high performance about it so high octane should not be required at all. Most standard outboards only require 87 octane and that is what they run best on. Higher octane fuels burn cooler which promotes quicker carbon buildup especially in DI engines. Only racinf engines generally need higher end fuels. Dont know the entire story on the failure but I dont see how wrong octane would have anything to do with it especially with only 14 hours on it.

[Wildcat Dude]

Dont know the entire story on the failure but I dont see how wrong octane would have anything to do with it especially with only 14 hours on it.

Ditto! Not enough hours to have been a factor in the failure (but I didn't stay in a holiday inn express last night either)

[TritonTRXV8]

Ditto! Not enough hours to have been a factor in the failure (but I didn't stay in a holiday inn express last night either)

That scenario would be extremely disappointing especially if that were the answer you got from them I would be wanting a second opinion. Hopefully it was covered regardless although with the fine print involved in todays warranties who knows.

[Redback]

Update: The Boat has been purchased. I looked into switching out the FW MG TM for a MK Fortrex but it would have cost 900 more. I was all prepared to spend the extra cash untill they told me about the wrap around warranty package. for the same amount i covered all electronics gauges pumps TM just about everything for same 5 years i get on the motor. I will deal with the MG 75lb for a 5 yr warranty. hopefully it breaks after 4 yrs 11 months lol. I just like knowing if anything breaks at all im covered for 5 years. even covers the pumps for the livewell lol

[TritonTRXV8]

I think you made a smart move. Nice to have that kind of coverage. If its the variable speed motorguide then you may very well like it just fine. My 70# MG has been great the past 4 years but I know my next will be a fortrex. How long of a wait do you have til you get it?

[Redback]

Tuesday of next week. So 6 more days. Cant wait

[bluefisherman429]

Where do you fish most of the time?

[Panama]

Smart move on the boat. Lowe makes a good product and treats their customers right too. Congrats and I bet you will be very happy with it. I agree that the amount to increase to the Yamaha was just too high. Usually it is not that much, they must have had a lot of labor in the add. Good job. Will be a heck of a boat.