2-Stroke vs 4-Stroke Outboards

[donradcliffe]

This weekend I removed a 4 stroke OB from the stern of a Olson 30, and it is headed for the dumpster.

Thinking about a replacement, I wish I hadn't sold my Tohatsu 3.5 two stroke on Craigslist. I got 5 calls in two hours and got more than my asking price. It weighed 28 lbs and was bulletproof. I bought it in Trinidad, and had no problems with customs when I brought it into the US on my documented big boat.

Since two strokes are not available, what about a Torqueedo 1100? Pricy, but the owner is a DDNK (dual doctors no kids), and the remote throttle with reverse looks a lot more appealing than leaning off the back of the Olson 30. Boat is 4000 lbs and desired range is less than 5 miles.

[Adelie]

Originally Posted by thomm225

Right?!

I think a 2 stroke burning ethanol gas and oil together makes them stink twice as much as they did in the past.

Reliable, low maintenance propulsion is more important to most people in developing countries than smell.

I have both a 4-stroke outboard and a 2-stroke. When the boat sells the 2-stroke goes with it, I'm keeping the 4-stroke. If I was in a developing country, I wouldn't have gotten the 4-stroke in the first place.

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

This weekend I removed a 4 stroke OB from the stern of a Olson 30, and it is headed for the dumpster.

Thinking about a replacement, I wish I hadn't sold my Tohatsu 3.5 two stroke on Craigslist. I got 5 calls in two hours and got more than my asking price. It weighed 28 lbs and was bulletproof. I bought it in Trinidad, and had no problems with customs when I brought it into the US on my documented big boat.

Since two strokes are not available, what about a Torqueedo 1100? Pricy, but the owner is a DDNK (dual doctors no kids), and the remote throttle with reverse looks a lot more appealing than leaning off the back of the Olson 30. Boat is 4000 lbs and desired range is less than 5 miles.

At least one of the electric options should be suitable if only 5 miles of range is needed.



As far as the leaning off the back goes, at least some of the small gas outboard options can be rigged for remote shift / throttle controls. I'm pretty sure it's an option for the Tohatsu / Mercury 6hp (which comes in a high thrust sail version). Not sure about which others. The only downside is that none of the 5 - 6hp options have electric start, you have to go to an 8 or 10 (depending on brand) to get that. So the small stuff still requires a lean and pull to start it even with the remote control.

[valhalla360]

I would break it down by power:
- Below 3hp, I would go with an electric trolling motor. Generally, a 2hp outboard isn't going to get you on plane anyway, so you don't lose much speed and at 2-4kt, you probably aren't commuting from 5 miles out anyway, so a couple of good batteries, should accommodate our needs.
- Above 10hp, get a 4 stroke Fuel Injected motor to avoid carb issues. We had a 25HP EFI as our main engine and it was darn near flawless, quiet and fuel efficient.
- In the middle, you are stuck with carb engines. I would still lean toward 4 stroke but make the effort not to gunk up the carb. Not much more effort than keeping the plugs clear on a 2 stroke so the quiet and efficiency of a 4 stroke wins out.

[Funkydrum]

All good stuff team.

Should have noted that our boat will remain in Abacos for next 2-3 yrs, then on to the Caribbean after. 2-stroke parts and maintenance are easy in these areas.

I dug in to a few things...

• Looks like weight is a 'push' as I looked at 9.9 Yamaha 4T vs 2T Enduro and they're within 1 lb.
• On service intervals, I was surprised to see that valve adjustment is at 500 hrs (longer than I expected) and oil changes at 100 hrs.

Are 4T engines more sensitive to fuel quality? Any 4T owners using aux fuel filters?

[Siberian Sea]

I own several newer 4stroke engines but find in the smaller units the carb jets are so small that even the tiniest fuel impurities gives you troubles. On my sailboat dinghy I have tossed away in storage the new 4 stroke Yamaha and now run an older 2 stoke Yamaha and never once a problem. I plan to never buy another 4 stroke as long as I can find 2 strokes.

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted by Siberian Sea

I own several newer 4stroke engines but find in the smaller units the carb jets are so small that even the tiniest fuel impurities gives you troubles. On my sailboat dinghy I have tossed away in storage the new 4 stroke Yamaha and now run an older 2 stoke Yamaha and never once a problem. I plan to never buy another 4 stroke as long as I can find 2 strokes.

That's an issue on most very small engines. Small carbs have small parts and are harder to keep working properly. Even 2 strokes, although the bit of extra fuel flow and the carb being kept oily helps reduce the issue. Make sure the fuel is well filtered and clean, and load the carb with fogging oil any time it'll sit for more than a couple of weeks and many of the issues go away.

[Bill Seal]

I don't know if it's a problem, but on a 2-stroke, just beyond the reeds are precision rod and main roller bearings and other vital internal components. If these get rusty, the motor is toast. Before hanging it on the rail for extended periods, a good fogging is probably in order.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Funkydrum

I've searched and not found a good thread on this....


I'm a big fan of the lighter-weight and simplicty of 2-strokes and can find a new Yamaha Enduro in the Bahamas. I'll admit that my preferences have been tainted by both the weight and complexity of EARLIER 4-strokes.


Have the 4-strokes improved enough, OR have US buyers convinced themselves that they are 'good enough' as that is their only choice? All the old-school sailers seem to be clinging to their 2-strokes.



This outboard is for my new OC-Tender 330 which needs limited hp and the 8hp Yamaha Enduro is plenty, and crazy light.


Am I overthinking this ?

Not a bit. Now the eco freaks won't be happy that you don't have a 50lb. 8HP beast on your tender.

[Scaramanga F25]

I have had both. For a dinghy I will stick with a 2 stroke. Parts are no a problem.

[goboatingnow]

I’ve both 3hp tohatsu two strobe and a 3.5 hp mariner 4 stroke ( also tohatsu) once I treat the fuel the 4 stroke is a far better OB

[DEAN2140]

With regard to the weight of a 4 stroke, I am surprised more people didn't mention installing a crane on the stern to assist in raising and lowering the engine. My cruising days are over but I still charter every year and find it increasingly difficult to handle the 4 stroke, even the 5 hp models. I wish the charter companies would recognize this and spend a few bucks to install a hoist.

[Davidhoy]

Originally Posted by Adelie

... I believe it is also difficult or possibly illegal to import parts for them ...

You can still get parts for old 2-stroke motors in the US. I have a 1999 Johnson 15hp 2-stroke, and haven't, yet, had any issues. In fact I just received a replacement throttle cable in the mail today. And I've seen parts like replacement carbs to be readily available - I'd imagine that a carb would be the most egregiously un-environmentally friendly part of the motor...

-David

[Hoodsail]

Looked for a used 2-stroke OB acouple of years ago and couldnt find one so bought a "used"/never run 3.5 hp, 4-stroke Mercury. One gallon of ethanol free gas lasts me 2/3 season at $14/gal. 4-stroke has been trouble free altho it weighs in at about 38 pounds, so can be exciting lowering/mounting it on the back of my dink....planning isnt even a consideration, but faster than rowing.

[01kiwijohn]

Originally Posted by misfits

I have a 36 year old 2 hp Yamaha.
I'd buy another 2 stroke outboard in a heartbeat...

Seems most of the people I see at the dinghy dock(s) frustrated over their engines not starting have 4 strokes hanging off the transom. Just saying

Me too. In 15 years I've cleaned the plug once, replaced the fuel filter ( my own add on) twice, cleaned the main jet twice. Great little engine