Yamaha 225 4 stroke v's Bombardier Ficth 250.

Reel Smoker · #1 03-05-2003, 10:25 PM

If you had to repower with one of these ,what would you go with? Why? Does anyone now the difference in weight. Thanks RS.

Jon G · #2 03-05-2003, 11:19 PM

Reel Smoker They are both quality engines but I would lean towards the Ficht 250. According to my catalogs the Ficht weighs 512 lbs while the Yamaha 225 weighs 583 lbs. All I have heard about he Yamaha is that its a great engine but its a little doggy compared to a two stroke and its also heavier. The guys that I talk to with the Fichts love them. Great milage,clean- no smoke and light compared to a 4 stroke and very powerful. I think when my time comes I'll repower with a Ficht. The the ficht seems to have the best of both worlds performance/economy. I guess when it comes down to it its a personal preference, although I don't think any one will dispute that the performance of your boat would be better with a Ficht 250 than the Yamm 225 fourstroke. The milage would probably be very close between the two depending on how hard you run the boat. When in doubt flip a coin [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Briguy · #3 03-06-2003, 06:41 AM

I just read a report on a new hydrasport 33 with twin Ficht 250's. Great speed and mpg but really loud. They measured at WOT 107 decibles! That is really really loud! Most o/b's measure 95db's at WOT. Unless that was a misprint, you could be looking at some long term ear damage, no kidding. (a jet taking off is 120 decibles behind it.)
My 2 cents. Go with the HPDI 250 or twin Suziki 140's for the same price but 300lbs heavier.

ScottM · #4 03-06-2003, 10:22 AM

RS,
Just something to think about regarding the new Ficht's - the 225 puts out 238hp at the prop while the 250 puts out 249. Although pricewise there isn't much difference, you might want to go with a 225 since the power gain with a 250 is marginal, plus it will probably consume more fuel.
My vote is for the Ficht (or HPDI for that matter) over the 4-stroke for exactly the same reasons Jon G mentions.

Reel Smoker · #5 03-06-2003, 12:30 PM

Thanks guys, thats what I need to here the goods and bads its a big investment as you all know. The noise problem, I definetely have to look into that.The horsepower thats a good one to, if I go with a Ficth I might as well go with a 225. Im going to research all ave before I write the check . I appreciate every info from you guys, all along ive been inclined towards the Ficht but yesterday while on a charter one of the guys commented on the quiteness of the Yamahe 4 stroke which is a great thing but I want to get out of the hole quick also. Maybe just maybe for 2004 and Bombardier might make them quieter that would be fantastic, Im kind of in a hurry because of the April 15 rebate Bomb has going but I would think in 2004 they'll run that promotion again.Thanks again, RS.

Briguy · #6 03-06-2003, 05:24 PM

I have heard from very reliable sources that the merc optimax 135 puts out 149hp and the merc 225 opti puts out 248hp. That's probably why the 2 stroke 225's are always 2-3mph faster than the 4's. The 4's are probably rated more true to the label. I hear what you are saying about the 225 vs the 250 ficht but I think the 250 may have a bigger displacement. I know in Yamaha's case it does have 3.3 litre vs 2.6 on the 200 hpdi. But, not to beat a dead horse, my 115hp Suzuki's have 230 combined horsepower and 3.8 litres of displacement. From the seat of the pants, my old yamaha 2 stroke 130's were faster out of the hole at 3.4 litres of combined displacement. So maybe 2 stroke displacement of the same size vs. 4 stroke equals more torque. As for getting out of the hole, my origonal engine was a 225 Johnson spinning a 15x17ss and it was really slow out of the hole. My 4 strokes, although giving up 30 horespower to the yamaha 130's were almost as fast out of the hole and only 1kt slower at top end and cruise. You don't drive 2 stroke car's and add oil every fill up, do you? You know the efi 4 stroke has been proven reliable by honda since the late 70's for sailboat motors, their only drawback is the weight issue, which isn't an issue with a flotation bracket. My local boat club has used Honda's and Suzuki motors for the last 8 years. No kidding, these boats are used really hard by many different people 5-6 days a week. The Suzuki 2 stroke 140's and 225's are getting about 700 hours before they are junk. The honda's put into service 6 years ago are all at 2000 to 3000 hours!!! No way you are getting that out of an OPTI or Fitcht. I really don't mean to start a flame here either. I guess you could say I'm sold on the EFI 4 strokes and like to spread the word.