115 Four Stroke Acceleration??

[-Marc V-]

Hi Folks - I've been looking around for a new boat, and would like the fuel economy of a 4 stroke, but a little concerned about the hole-shot and acceleration to pull a skier and/or tubers. I'd primarily use it as a fishing boat, but would like the option to ski and tube sometimes.

Some of the new generation 2 strokes, like the Optimax have my attention too for fuel efficiency, acceleration, top-end, etc., but not sure they'll be in my price range. They look like kick ars motors tho.

Anyway, with a 115hp Merc 4 stroke efi, 2007, on a 17.5ft glass boat that goes about 40mph top end. Would this be able to pull up a skiier? Heard 4 strokes are great motors - bullet proof, quiet, etc., but just dogs when it comes to acceleration...

Thanks much!

Marc

[MN Hooksetter]

We used to waterski behind my friend's 99' Crestliner Fishhawk which was 17-1/2' long and had a 2003 Yamaha four stroke. It used to pull us up pretty well, a little doggy, but we also had 4-5 adults in the boat too. That extra weight of the fiberglass may be an issue depending how many people are in the boat. I don't know much about props, but getting the right one for what you want to do will probably help.

[-Marc V-]

That was a 115hp on you buddies FishHawk? If so that's actually pretty impressive with that many ppl in the boat. Think you're right that prop pitch would make a difference too. I'm mainly asking just in general if a 115 4s would have enough get up and go to make it fun. I'd think it would but some of the pictures I've been painted about 4 stroke acceleration has been poor.

[highlife4me]

I have a 1775 Impact with a 115 Merc 4 stroke, no problem pulling tubes, have had up to three people on a four man tube and had no problem getting out of the hole, actually was easier pulling the big tube than the two smaller ones. I have had mine topped out at 44 MPH, only 2 people on board with the spitfire prop. Buddy has a 1750 Larson with the 115 Opti and it is underpowered, but he didn't want to shell out the extra $$ for the 150.

[MuskieJunkie]

Couple thoughts:

I would venture to guess that 90% of people skiing on any given July Saturday in MN are doing so with a 4stroke motor.

The questions of good gas mileage is carb vs Fuel injection more so than it is 4 stroke vs 2 stroke.

I hear the term "you can pull a tube" thrown around a lot, a canoe can pull a tube.....

Whatever you buy if you do have issues pulling up a skier just get a lower pitched prop. They're all over the internet used for $100 or less.

[Ufatz]

Quit worrying. My 115 Yam on 18 Crestliner Fish Hawk will pull your arms out of their sockets and you'll come down 15 feet further down the lake and howling across the water.

Did you say hole shot!?

[delmuts]

"Whatever you buy if you do have issues pulling up a skier just get a lower pitched prop. They're all over the internet used for $100 or less."

I agree! Having a different prop for an afternoon of playing can be worth it. Only takes a few minutes to change one.

[fishhuntwork]

If your worried about speed out of the hole and all around better performance consider buying a 4 blade prop. I have a 2008 Crestliner Superhawk and was having problem with hole shot. Updated my prop with a 4 blade and the overall performance improved.

[Down Deep]

I've have a Lund Explorer Sport 17 foot with a 115 Merc 4S. I pull single adults on skis and wake boards with no hole shot problem. I have a 4 person tube and have pulled all combinations of adults and kids and they get a great ride. I have a 17 pitch SS prop that I put on which gives the snap on the hole shot. I'd recommend one for better performance.

[Down2Earth]

I'd just get an Etec and you won't have to worry about anything. Best of both worlds and sips gas. I have a 115 Etec and any of these people talking about 115 4s won't hold a candle to it for hole shot. The only thing they can really even say is they might be able to hear someone whisper at idle.

[tacklejunkie]

Lol...

Folks are right about having to adapt to the Etec throttle. I have a 2006 150 HP Etec on the back of my boat and it took some getting used to when giving it the throttle. Anyone in my boat learned to sit down and hold on to valuables when I intially took her to plane.

[delcecchi]

Lol...

Folks are right about having to adapt to the Etec throttle. I have a 2006 150 HP Etec on the back of my boat and it took some getting used to when giving it the throttle. Anyone in my boat learned to sit down and hold on to valuables when I intially took her to plane.

That sounds like a bad thing to me. They must have some sort of resonance two stroke thing going on, like my old Kawasaki 500 triple.

[huntercj]

I got a 175 alumacraft dominator with a 115 Yamaha four stroke on it and it pulls a skier just fine would a 150 be better o yea. The best speed I have seen with my boat empty on fuel and two in the boat is 40 gps stock prop.