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I currently own a '98 60 hp Mercury 2 stroke, its got 200 hours and runs great. I have the opportunity to purchase a 2004 Mercury 60 hp 4 stroke for reasonable money. What I want to know is will the 60hp 4 stroke be more fuel efficient? And if so by how much?
Cheaper to keeper, the two stroke performance is better. If you want more power in a new light motor go for a
yammi 90hp 2 stroke, 50% more power and 50 lbs more weight thats a good deal.
Thanks for the response. You covered what I was thinking. THe boat is rated for 70hp and while not really a dog with the 60 2S I figured that the 60 4S would be slower. I've got a pair of 140 4S on a bigger boat and really miss the turn the key starts and the quiet. On the other hand 2S maintenance is a breeze.
Not kowing the cost of the 4 stroke and not knowing enough about 2 vs 4 fuel efficiency for a 60 hp, I think you're better off with your '98 60 hp 2 stroke. By the time the 60 hp 4 stroke fuel efficiency line (y axis) crosses with your purchase cost (x axis), you'll have had your 2 stroke another 2 - 3 years. The analysis actually involves multiple axis', but just trying to paint you a picture. Make sense?? Good luck.
On the lower end, I love my 4-stroke 20hp. It's quiet, more fuel efficient, more environmentally friendly, and only weighs 9lbs more than the 2-stroke version.
I have a 2003 60 hp 2 stroke Merc on a 15' Whaler 150 Sport, it is underpowered, so far with motors in current
production the Yamaha 70 and 90 are the only light weight motors left. If weight is not a problem there are lots
of motors both 2 stroke and 4 stroke to choose from. I would prefer to have a 90 Optimax on this boat but would
not consider adding 150 lbs in weight to the transom.
Moving from 60 hp to 75 hp and up doesn't leave many choices if weight is a factor and it usually is. None of these
little motors burn enough fuel to worry about but if you spend a lot of time at idle the 4 stroke may be a plus for you.
Thanks for the replies. Although I love the quiet of the four stroke it doesn't make any sense to spend the money to fix something that's not broke (he says with his fingers crossed). Was my thoughts just wanted the experts here to convince me.
I have a 2003 60 hp 2 stroke Merc on a 15' Whaler 150 Sport, it is underpowered, so far with motors in current
production the Yamaha 70 and 90 are the only light weight motors left. If weight is not a problem there are lots
of motors both 2 stroke and 4 stroke to choose from. I would prefer to have a 90 Optimax on this boat but would
not consider adding 150 lbs in weight to the transom.
Moving from 60 hp to 75 hp and up doesn't leave many choices if weight is a factor and it usually is. None of these
little motors burn enough fuel to worry about but if you spend a lot of time at idle the 4 stroke may be a plus for you.
Steve
Merc Classic 50 and 90 and 150 EFI are all still available last time I checked. Sold a few this year already.
2 stroke vs. 4 stroke in Midrange motors 60hp 
