I have the 25 4 stroke on my 2003 PT175. You definately need to get the power tilt/trim. Both to help plane out quicker, but also for general adjustments depending upon loading. It is also nice to be able to raise from the front casting deck when threading yourself through shallow areas. Here are my specific comments. I almost never have more than a half a tank of gas primarily because it last forever with this motor and I like to keep it fresh. I will get up to 3/4 full if I have multiple day trip planned on larger lake. With myself(175lbs), average tackle/equipment, empty livewell I run about 21mph on plane. Put another 175-200lb person in with their gear and I loose close to 1-2 mph, but still seem to plane ok. I have had three adults in the boat with gear and then planing is usually out of the question if I remember right. I am surrounded by 25hp lakes here in central Illinois so everone you see has one or the other. You might get an extra 1 or 2 MPH with the 2 stroke basically because it is so much lighter than my 4 stroke, but that is not guaranteed. I have outrun both versions in local tournaments. Either 25 hp is a little undersized for the boat so every extra pound in the boat you will notice. Unfortunately, in this area you have no other choice unless you are willing to break the law(I'm not)and re-sticker or re-carb. For myself I love the quiet of the 4 stroke and the smoothness and the gas mileage, etc. I have un-winterized three times this winter for trips on an unusually warm day and the motor fires up immediately with no problems everytime. Let me know if you have any other questions about my set-up. By the way what is the trolling motor only lake you are refering to. Sounds like you might be in my neck of the woods just south of Peoria?
