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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | First of all, the concept that a 4 stroke is more fuel efficient that a DFI 2 stroke is not necessarily correct. The DFI 2 strokes--Mercury OptiMax, Yamaha, and Evinrude Etec can be easier on fuel and actually pollute less than the 4 strokes out there. The two strokes are quicker out of the hole, and generally faster than the 4 stroke models. They also weigh less, again generalizing here. That being said, both you are considering are excellent motors.
The Suzi will require you re-rig with controls, cables, and a special gauge in the dash. Cost is usually about $650 to rig a Suzi V-6 up, labor alone. Same for an Opti, but you already have compatible controls and cables and an oil tank. Some dealers charge more, some less.
Here's what was said in a recent Bass and Walleye Boats test on 200 HP DFI models from Yamaha, Mercury, and Evinrude:
'Overall, these engines were so close in performance that choosing just one winner was too difficult — and unfair — so we didn't. If even one of the test conditions had changed, the outcome would have surely been different. It was just that close. '
On fuel economy:
'FUEL ECONOMY: WEIGHING HEAVIER IN TODAY’S TESTS
Never before has fuel economy played such a big part in engine evaluations. Paying $3 or more at the pump for regular tends to steer one’s thinking away from miles per hour and toward fuel mileage. In this portion of the test, Merc won clearly with a best average fuel mileage of 4.5 mpg, and Yamaha finished second at an average 4.1 mpg. E-Tec’s results with the Raker were poor in comparison at an average 3.7 mpg. However, when tested with the Trophy propeller, the Rude tied the Yamaha with an average of 4.1 mpg.
Merc, however, won the “best cruise” mileage with a reading of 5.8 mpg at 4000 rpm and 47.5 mph. Using 90 percent of the Bass Cat’s 40-gallon fuel supply, which translates to a 208-mile range. Yamaha came in a close second, with a best of 5.5 mpg at 4500 rpm and 55.4 mph, for an average range of just over 197 miles.
Both results were stellar, and it was great to see that the Pantera hull took advantage of the higher cruise speed range instead of the typical sub-35 mph speeds where we usually record our best mileage. Perhaps our greatest disappointment was the E-Tec’s mileage numbers; after all the emissions and mileage hype from Evinrude, we expected the E-Tec H.O. to really put a hurtin’ on the other two when it came to the fuel fillup. We were sadly mistaken.'
Here's a good article on the debate:
http://www.marineenginedigest.com/specialreports/2versus4stroke.htm
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