Tested | Mercury New 25 v Old 25 2 stroke

Who wins in a race between a new Mercury 4-stroke and an old, 25hp 2-stroke?
We found out first-hand the risk of buying a second hand 25hp 2Stroke, upon inspection it seemed that the unit we had might had been modified and be performing more like a 30hp 2Stroke than a 25hp.

[@glennjames7107]

You won't convince me, I've already done this test. It's a lot lighter than the 4 stroke, and a lot more powerful. There's a reason that racers use the 2stroke.

[@FishingMonthly]

Can’t buy a 2-stroke in Australia anymore.

[@calebrodriguez3748]

I agree if you watch the prop wash you can see the 4 stroke shot out a bit quicker in reaction time. Had the 2 stroke taken off as quick I think you'd see even more separation. It's just amazing that the old tech still holds ip even after a couple decades kf moving into 4 strokes. Eventually 4 strokes will demolish the old 2 strokes but we are a few years away. Fuel consumption.... hands down 4 stroke! I own both

[@robertwright-fi9fz]

Nobody ever mentions the weight difference.

[@randallcrenshaw3871]

I’m sorry but the guy in the 2stroke weighs 40-50 pounds more than the other guy

[@srilankapax3941]

2 stroke would’ve smoked him if both guys were the same weight

[@jacksica7808]

also i dont think they have the same prop or trim angle the four stroke looks two low

[@DizzyMan24]

Looked like the old 25 had a good lead, then they somehow ended up side by side.

[@justinpearson-bi4zw]

I noticed that too

[@colinmead8996]

Oh, & all the other refinements 👌🏻💪🏻

[@jb243wp]

Like any 2 banger, they were good in their day, especially when that's all their was and fuel was actually a lot cheaper. Good fun comparison test just the same, But I would take a 4 Banger being a couple of klms slower in speed over breathing in those fumes and noisy at idle any day of the week, now we can all trawl for tuna longer without being intoxicated with fumes by the end of the day. But let's not forget so many other variables come into the equation, prop pitch and size, hull design, weight and draft and that's just to name a few so I'm not convinced 100% about the drag race results .. But at the end of the day, 99% of us these days are going with economy rather than speed, except when you want to get back to the boat ramp quicker than that other guy. Those old Merc racing 2 bangers do sound good screaming across the bay 👍

[@jameschristian8117]

Is the new 25 merc a short or long shaft

[@joshkeen9841]

The two strokes are faster just for one the RPM way higher

[@Farmboy1966]

I Noticed the two stroke had way more power coming out of hole than the 4 stroke had.

[@rudolfsrudzitis931]

What is the dry weight of that aluminium boat?

[@raymondde5914]

But how much hp does the old mercury lost in he’s live?

[@colinmead8996]

3 cylinders advantage 👏🏻

[@denims5595]

It’s not a Mercury, it’s a Tohatsu rebadged… all mercs 2.5hp to 30hp are Tohatsu.

[@benreid6144]

That 25 2 stroke was also made by tohatsu

[@rlacy1229]

@@benreid6144 the new efi one is also a Tohatsu

[@rlacy1229]

Exactly. I bought a new Tohatsu 25 with the big tiller last year. What a great little engine

[@bentaylor8817]

The 40 mercury 4 stroke looks like it might be a yammy powerhead, same cubic inch plus same bore and stroke, great engine ive put 420 hours on mine in 3 years, goes really well, im a happy customer.

[@haywoodjablowmee3143]

Not a great comparison. Those sea pro motors are a commercial grade motor and have a lower peak rpm than a standard version

[@hydro_rebel7741]

The 4 stroke was pushing 30 hp and the 2 stroke still stayed with it sheesh

[@brianhummel899]

Don't hate on me, my brand new merc 30 hp motor just arrived and i love it but, the guy driving the 2 stroke has 50 pounds on the guy driving the 4 stroke.

[@user-hm6lr9zm3z]

Hi when will a test be done on 4 stroke 20 merc up against 2 stroke 20 merc.

[@FishingMonthly]

We did the 15 v 15 on this channel.

[@user-hm6lr9zm3z]

@@FishingMonthly ok, will have a look

[@colinmead8996]

A W E S O M E JOB on the newbies

[@danieldezauche8223]

He backed off 2 stroke early on in the video. The 4 stroke was actually running as a 30hp by their own words. Plus driver weight! 2 stroke will out perform in an equal contest with NO manufacturer bias.

[@gunsandrotors8704]

He said the 2 stroke had the restrictor plate removed. To get 30hp on the new 4 stroke efi you have to change the ecm and if it has a restrictor.

[@jgringo5516]

Yep, and that 2 stroke cost 1/4~1/5th the price of that new 4 stroke now. I bought one back in the day for $1500 in the box at Academy. For the prices now, it should come standard with a hardbody pole dancer.

[@nathanjohnson3668]

They lied. That 2-stroke block was only used on the 18/20/25 hp mercs and could be converted between those hps by changing out carbs and exhaust between the models. The 30 hp 2-stroke was built on a different block (shared with the 40 hp) which is why it’s heavier. The new 4-strikes are somewhat similar in that the 15 is basically a restricted 20 and a 25 is a restricted 30, etc.

[@kirkholden266]

No mention on the 1/2 second jump off the start. Bottom line, simple, reliable and user serviceable vs refined, creature comforts, lower fuel burn.

[@colinmead8996]

And 500cc

[@nathanjohnson3668]

Even with the delayed response, the heavier operator, and the least powerful merc 25 hp variant (sea pro cause it’s rated to turn lower rpms for commercial use vs a standard merc) that 2stroke was up next to the 4stroke in no time and somehow ends up parallel after pulling lead. I call BS haha. Don’t get me wrong, 4 strokes are better overall imo but in these smaller hp sizes for tenders and such, the lighter 2 strokes are just so much better performance wise over the 4 strokes. With proper dampening of the cowl, you can make the 2 stroke quieter and fuel economy in these smaller motors will be pretty similar overall imo. 2 stroke will burn more cause of the better performance. And I don’t buy the restrictor plate bs on the 2 stroke. Those mercs cannot be made into 30 hp as the 30 hp had a different block. The 18/20/25 had the same block with only the exhaust and carbs making up the differences. The 30hp was built different. But nice try.

[@bcbrando7678]

Looks like the guy in the sea pro let off With the carb gasket changed to the 30hp gasket that motor should smoke that 25 no problem

[@tobiaslangstrom3689]

So funny joke, because we all now that all the 4-stroke outboard are so quiet especially at top rpm.

[@pasma1983]

This is not a true story, the 2 stroke is faster. We did the test also. Same pitch, same boat. And 25 horse. The 2 stroke 2 km faster

[@user-lk5xk1qu4i]

What a load of crap, my 25 2stroke still does 60 with 2 fat bastards on my 4.4 meter Quintrex tinnie.

[@andystewart5864]

No fuel econ of the motors.... what gives

[@martinlindberg1983]

Thank you for this "comparison", but you are not play fare and try to fool us by selling in 4-strokes. I had both 2- and 4-strokes in this sizes and the engines noise were unfortunately at same level (!!!) when boat was on plane about +3000->WOT. 4-strokes also lack punch of 2-strokes and feels slower. I sold the 4-stroke and got back to a 2-stroke again. 4-strokes will of course win on idle comfort and less smoke, but performance wise and weight/hp ratio... Not. Cheers!

[@FishingMonthly]

Good luck buying a new 2-stroke in Australia, where this was filmed, champ!

[@nathanjohnson3668]

Just cause you can’t buy them doesn’t mean you have to fool people into thinking the 4 stroke is better lol. The 4 stroke is a solid and good new motor that will eventually be on every boat. But until the 2 strokes all break, the 2 stroke is just better performance wise in little engines. I’ll give ya that once you hit 40+ hp on bigger boats, the performance gains are marginal and its better to go 4 stroke cause the perks are larger as in much higher fuel economy, way less in oil changes vs mixing oil in 100 gallons of fuel, way quieter, and only a slightly less top end performance. In these little motors though, 2strokes are king performance wise.

[@stosedan]

you are lying. there is no logic please guys.....