4-stroke/ 2 stroke

[Depth Finder]

I think we have a "My Ford is better than your Chevy" debate brewing here in the future when it comes to choosing whether a 4 stroke or 2 stroke was (or is) the best choice.Not being one who has ever been accused of being capable of keeping his opinions to himself...here we go...Having torn down more than my share of auto and outboard engines and in light of the fact that the following truths are evident; 2 strokes have fewer moving parts (no valves or valve train)
2 strokes run on miniscule (100:1) amounts of oil
2 strokes are inherently faster out of the hole
2 strokes are lighter
2 strokes are cheaper
2 strokes make environmentalists angry
With all this, other than the quietness of the 4 stroke...what's the advantage?
(By the way...my Ford IS better)

[john t.]

I'm glad you're happy about the purchase of your two-stroke, I own one too but don't start a war here over this debate!

Both have advantages and depending on ones application either could prove superior over the other.

[LOL]

On some of the big 2 strokes, the past few years, there were NO moving parts :) on an all too regular basis.

[Das Boot 3]

1. 2 strokes are only marginally lighter than 4 strokes i.e. johnson 150 2stroke 391lbs, 140 4stroke 425lbs
2. Only D.I. 2 strokes run at 100:1 - cost and weight equal out
3. 4S is quieter (much)
4. No smoke/stink with 4S
5. 4S is perceived as "better" so they hold their value.
With that said - yes I own a 2 stroke :)

[lundeepv]

Having owned both I will not own another carberated or non-fuel injected outboard again. Also owning a 4 stroke EFI has me hooked. Quiet and smooth is where it is at for me. I have not been in a boat with a FICHT, E-TEC, OptiMax or any other high pressure 2 cycle injected motor but would consider them if all the hype is true. The four strokes are only a little heavier unless you get a Honda or the new Verado's and are really clean. Lastly there is no oil to mix or add. Once you have a 4 stroke you will never go back!!! ;)

[Depth Finder]

This is just "winter doldrums" conversation. I don't have a new 2 stroke but was wondering what all the hype was about.

[Shellback]

I will never own another 2 stroke outboard since switching to a 4 stroke! Stink goodbye, this fact along with it's quietness has made my boating pleasure improve 2 fold. I'm probably a little weird though, you see I'm also satisfied running a boat that's powered at only 60 to 70 % of it's rated HP.

[Saggy]

I have a 4 stroke EFI and can't wait to go back to a 2 stroke carb model.The new technology might be great for the guy with deep pockets that can't turn a wrench.

[john t.]

Saggy,

What four stroke do you own now and what boat is it on?

[MudflatsJack]

I'm not a MIT graduate, hence not a engineer. On WC you will read lots of people shouting off specs on motors, I read them like everybody, but dont really understand it all. It's more about loyalty. Here's my story: I hung a new non/current Yamaha 2002, 70hp 2-stroke on my 89 17'ft. Lund Pro-V tiller. Being non/current I saved $500.00, same waranty as 03, warranty starts when you buy the motor.
I looked at 4 strokes, lots of pressure to buy them from lot's of sales guys. I even ran into one sale manger from the midwest top dealer who told me he wouldnt order a 2-stroke and I was foolish to do so. Needless to say, I will not buy from them, ever. So I walked out. The only issue I know from most two strokes is gas can go bad in the carb. If you let the motor sit foe two weeks at a time , you may have some problems. I fish 3-4 times a week, not a issue. The Yamamha 2-stroke is vert quiet, remember I have a tiller. I would say yes, theres some smoke when I back troll. It uses ver little oil. I dont find it difficult to pour a pint in the oil reserve at all. Gas is remarkable. I use my motor to get to the spots, then use my trolling motors to get on some eyes. I use my motor to troll for muskies and pike and have been pleased. Price was an issue for me. I saved $1700.00 going with a 2 stroke. That equaled paying for two week long trips to Rainy Lake. I think todays 2-strokes are excellant choice.

[Box]

:)
I'm not a engineer or mechanic either, and my Merc 150 efi has never let me down (well, the rigger pinched a fuel line when he set it up, and the throttle/shift cables broke and needed replacing - due to the boat design, but I was able to do that myself).

Not a new 2 stroke, and that is fine with me. I watched my neighbor's Honda spill oil all over my beach, and he maintained and serviced that motor well. Remember the 4 stroke "making oil" talk you still see? I witnessed it first hand, and it wasn't my old 25hp Evinrude pontoon motor that was doing it. Well, it just goes to show that all makes and models may have some issue at some point.

For me, for now, my 2 stroke efi is the best motor in the world. Plus its paid for ;) I will prolly get a 4 stroke sometime, but not real soon.

Yep, I am bored on Sunday night or I never would even respond to this post. Sorry for wasting anybody's time reading this, ha!
-Box

[JPK]

Are you suggesting that getting out the hole faster equates to coming back with more fish in the livewell at the end of the day? So what if it gets out the hole quicker? I can't see where that makes for a more enjoyable or successful day of fishing. I bought my boat/motor for fishng, not racing.

[Saggy]

YarCraft 1680BT,Merc 60hp 4 stroke EFI.

[ebijack]

"getting out of the hole" is very important to quite a few folks, but the safety of being able to get your bow up quicker in rough water/stormy conditions comes into a safety on the water option.

[R Muccilli]

Great post!

Better is an elusive term. Right now, for me, better is going to be a 4 stroke on the new tiller rig, to be able to do it all with the main engine. Yes, a kicker will still be better if I was to do a lot of trolling, rest assured that won't be happening. But to be able to effectively back troll again...well that's the hear of the matter with a 17 1/2 foot tiller rig, I think.

[john t.]

If you had a 60 Suzuki on that motor you wouldn't be wishin for your 2 stroke carb back, I think the Merc 60's have a poor hole shot. Sorry your experience wasn't better.

[Koldfront Kraig]

Lundeepv,

Hondas aren't any heavier than any other 4 stroke. In fact their lighter than most.

I had a 2 stroke motor on my last boat. It was very dependable and trolled down to nothing. It was a great motor.

I like my 4 stroke better. It's almost twice the horse power, but gets about the same fuel economy. And I don't miss the smoke or the oil slick it left in the lake when I would troll for an extended amount of time.

[MarkG]

Never thought I would want a 4 stroke,but ended up with a new but non current one at same price as new 2 stroke. Never regretted it! Smooth,quiet,extremly fuel efficient,compared to comparable carbed 2 strokes,and no smoke. Would never go back to a carbed 2 stroke. Never had a "making oil" problem either.All this being said,would not rule out one of the new generation high pressure or direct injected 2 strokes,as they have many of the desireable features of the 4 stroke,with the lighter weight and reportedly better performance,(if they dont blow up).

[Saggy]

I am not totally dissatified with the performance of the motor.It's quiet,has good fuel economy and a decent hole shot.I just think 4 strokes are overated.I have had a 4 stroke kicker and think that is a practical application for this type of motor.The Merc 60hp trolling speed is fixed and is too fast.Also,has anyone tried to change or remove the lower spark plug for fogging purposes on their "new" 4 stroke motors?Good Luck!I have had 2 Yamaha 2 stroke motors(1-70hp,1-90hp)and both of these motors trolled as well or slower than the 60hp Merc.With a service manual even the average "JOE" can do routine maintenance on the Yamaha's,try working on your new 4-stroke(incert brand).You will have to some day!