2 or 4 Stroke Engines?

[Cod301gmh]

Hi all,

I have read a lot of articles discussing advantages/disadvantages of both 2 & 4 stroke engines. The general theme is that the latest 2 stroke engines are more fuel efficient and require less maintenance and are therefore better value than 4 stroke engines. Additionally, many of the articles suggest that it is marketing hype for the surge in 4 strokes.

I am looking to upgrade my current package in the new year and am now looking at the various options and packages available, so would appreciate your thoughts and experiences on these types of engines?

Gareth

[Omahayank]

2 strokes polute ALOT more than 4x's and are to be outlawed in the states in a couple years. But, there are a couple of 2x on the market now that pass the polution regs.....so who knows what'll happen.

[Lookfar]

I'm running an Evinrude e-tec. As yet too soon to comment on reliability but economy matches similar 4 strokes on identical boats, noise and vibration are only marginally higher if at all, service costs will be lower (subject to the reliability issues of an unproven three year service interval) and there's a huge weight saving.

Steve

[monkey nuts]

hi fellow boat angler

if you look after a 2 stroke properaly it can be as good as the 4 strokes for reliablity , but fuel consumption can be a very different, as 2 stroke are very very thrusty at full bore.also forget the manifactures fuel consumption charts, thay lie, every boat and engine will be different. so find some one else with the same type of boat and ask them, what thay get out of there engine / boat combo for speed related to fuel

the biggest problem i see at work is that most poeple cut corners to save a couple of quid and there for the 4 stroke engine will seem a more relible option as they can take some abuse to a point,but the 2 stroke cant take any and will break down on you

i am also looking for a new engine (2 stroke), but im going to get a bigger engine than i need so i then dont need the full revs to hit 20 kn, at the moment i have a 50hp mercury (25+ years old ) on a shetland 535 and it burns 5-6 gallon per hour flat out, the newer 70-80 hp engines burn the same flat out but doing 35kn on the same type of boat. so if you bring back the throttal to 70% say it will probaly bring the speed to 20kn and cut the fuel bill by 45-50%

well you are probaly getting board now so im now going to shut up, hope this helps
cheers john

[congerking160]

Iv got a 50hp evinrude etec on my predator 160,it starts instantly and is very quiet,on the fuel consumption side with 2 people and are gear we get about 30 miles from a 25liter tank!!much better than my mate who has a yamaha 60hp4stroke on a warrior!2 years and no problems!

[dobbin]

I myself use a 60hp evinrude and have no problems apart from the fact that the carb float pins need changing. What does suprise me is the fact that boats larger than mine only use a 4hp backup which would just about hold them in the same position on a tide against. Not much thought is given to the backup engine as should be. I use an old but reliable 9.9hp sea horse that will get me in any state of the tide.

[congerking160]

I know what you mean!many a time iv seen boats larger than mine with only a 4hp backup,if there is a strong tide or headwind they dont make any ground atall!!iv got a honda 9hp back up,works purfect!was guna go out today but the weather is to bad!!