It looks like no one is making new 40 HP two stroke outboards. Mine is 11 years old and just fine right now. But when it comes time to re-power I would prefer the 2-stroke. My Mercury weighs 165 pounds. I saw the new 4-stroke Mercury 40 yesterday and it weighs 62 pounds more, at 227 pounds. Yikes!! Boat is a 13-ft Whaler, so I would like to keep the weight down.
Any thoughts out there on lighter weight outboard motors? I have no interest in going down in HP; it is a heavy boat and needs all 40 horses. Maybe they will take more weight off the motors in the next five years by the time I need a motor…
Just curious, but how old is your 13 Whaler? My empty hull weighed only 275 lbs. I can’t even feel the boat, motor, trailer when towing it. I have a 25 hp Merc 4 stroke and it pushes the boat at 32 mph. Granted, its a little sluggish with 3 adults in it…
Have you looked at the Evinrude E-Tec’s?
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com | www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
The 40 Etec is 240 lbs. Tohatsu makes a 40 that is a little over 200. No matter what you chose it won’t ba as light as the old Merc.
Iain Pelto
Sea Hunt Triton 160 w/ 90 ETEC “JB3”
Native Manta Ray 14
It is a 2001 Whaler 13 Sport. The Whaler websites do a better job than I can about all the hull design changes, but there was a big change somewhere around 1999 or 2000 to the hull I have. They changed it again a few years ago ( I am not a fan of the new design). I think there was one significant change in the 80’s from your hull to the one that preceded mine.
My hull probably weighs around 450 to 500 pounds and the beam is considerably wider than the older 13 whalers. With just me it will run 33 mph. Some of it is the pitch on the prop, so it runs at 30+ with two adults and a small load. 3 adults and a 3+ bushels of oysters and it may not get on plane.
A buddy has a 1993 13-ft whaler, and it is a rocket with the 20-year old 40 HP evenrude.
goldfish - gotcha, sorry for my confusion. Yes, the hull changed I think in the 70’s to a “smirked” design that cut the waves better. My hull will break your back / loosen your fillings in steep chop 
I can see where the 40 would be needed with the extra weight. As far as I know, most manufacturers have stopped making 2 strokes. I think you are probably right in that the weight of the 4 strokes will come down a lot in the future. Look at what they have down with Moto-x bikes. I love my four stroke - super reliable and quiet and no 2 cycle oil!
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com | www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
That etec will blow your mind when it comes to p/w ratio plus you will get better fuel economy
fish today work tomorrow
So after looking at some of the engine specs, a new thought.
First preference is low weight and get 40 HP. But this is not possible right now. As hariball said, the 40 HP e-tec is 240 pounds, which is 75 pounds heavier than my current Mercury. But the 50 HP e-tec weighs 240 also. So maybe going up 10 HP makes sense if I have to get the same weight motor.
Honda does the same thing. At 214 pounds it is the lightest 40 HP I have seen. And the 50 HP Honda also weighs 214. 10 more HP should make up for 50 lbs heavier, and if the only choice is a heavier engine, then more HP better!
Interesting. Must have the same block and head, but more bore?
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com | www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
I figure you are right, Opti. Probably lots of the same stuff throughout the two motors including the gear case etc. Just bored out a little more. Makes sense when you are making a whole line of engines.