2 stroke outboards banned

Well that was another entertaining morning read, always makes me smile!!

Couldn't agree more with.... "this sort of twaddle presented as fact seems more and more prevalent on the forums"

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
A technically correct, but somewhat grumpy, response.

The fact is that I know of ZERO carburetted two strokes that meet the new emission regulations. To say that they're not banned, it's just that zero models are allowed: is of little relevance to the average person trying to source an engine for a tender or small runabout.

One hope for two strokes is if Evinrude can shrink the E-Tec system down: currently the smallest E-Tec is a 40hp, but whether the additional complexity and weight will leave it with any advantage over a small 4-stroke remains to be seen.

dv.
 
My understanding, (hearsay, but from a top outboard motor retailer and repairer), is that the annual emissions reduction will amount to less than the emissions from a single transatlantic flight.

The same source also told me that new 2 stroke outboards will remain available for commercial users. This will benefit the rest of us by ensuring ongoing spare parts supply.

Little Knot
 
Not unless you are trying to manufacture and sell a boat in the EU powered by a hedgecutter, lawnmower, go-cart, or model plane engine.

The wording is buried in an offshoot of the RCD (recreational craft directive).
"...introducing limits for exhaust emissions from propulsion engines intended for use in recreational craft and noise emissions from recreational craft."

MORE INFO HERE

dv.
 
Slightly off the main topic but i have a Honda BF 2 HP (4 stroke) .We have just bought a much bigger tender that reqs. 5 HP so should i get a 2 stroke before its too late? Tohatsu came out well in test.
 
I was thinking of buying a second one (5Hp) but I'm not sure how well it would store without use.

Tohatsu 5hp is a good choice, also Mercury 5hp, if you prefer the styling on the cowling, but same engine underneath.

dv.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Slightly off the main topic but i have a Honda BF 2 HP (4 stroke) .We have just bought a much bigger tender that reqs. 5 HP so should i get a 2 stroke before its too late? Tohatsu came out well in test.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmmm, well, don't anybody jump down my throat, because I may be a bit out of date with my info. However, It is my understanding that Tohatsu have put up all their prices on their 2 strokes, because they think there will be a run on them, because of the new legislation. (greedy twats)

Well bearing that in mind, and seeing as how the Mariner 5 hp 2 stroke has the same power head as the Tohatsu, and is much cheaper, has loads of punch, is reasonably quiet / economical...........

I would say that it might be worth you looking in that direction, I did at the end of last summer, and I have been really pleased with it! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]

I was thinking of buying a second one (5Hp) but I'm not sure how well it would store without use.

[/ QUOTE ]
I have a spare pretty newish 2 stroke, which I acquired on changing boats. I decided to keep it in view of the impending legislation, and had it winterised with a view to storing it long term. I was advised by the firm that did the winterising, (Seamark Nunn), that long term storage was not a good idea, and that I shouldn't go much beyond the second winter before I start using it again.

Little Knot
 
Dependant upon year .....but currently yes! I am talking about the power head though, not the rest of it, although I believe that in the case of Mercury, Mariner, the only difference is the colour, and the shape of the cowl?

Mariner did at one time use Yamaha engines, but have now moved over to Tohatsu units, it seems that Tohatsu make engines for many outboard manufactures?
 
i must say I have some sympathy with deborahann.
i have both a yam 2 stroke and a honda 4. the honda does have to laid on only one side otherwise the oil does run out.the yam can be stored in any position. we used 2 gallons of petrol through the year and at 100.1 it is a small amount of pollution relatively..the weights are about the same but everyone in the family prefers the 2 stroke. starts with a gentle tug, is powerful much quieter and with a gear control is much easier to handle at low revs than the honda with its centrifugal clutch
 
They\'ll have to prise my British Seagull from my cold, dead, hands...

(to paraphrase Charlton Heston, speaking in his capacity as President of the US National Rifle Association!)

Since Seagulls are almost immortal, and spares are plentiful, mine will see me out.
 
Re: They\'ll have to prise my British Seagull from my cold, dead, hands...

Well now...............I am sure that could be arranged, now where did I put the phone number for those awfully nice Eco-Warrior Chappies! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
the 2 stroke. starts with a gentle tug, is powerful much quieter

[/ QUOTE ] Quieter? Surely only compared to the rather old fashioned air-cooled Honda.

I'm with Brendan here. Deborahann made an innacurate posting with a scare-tactic headline. And where has she disappeared to now?

The point people make about only being able to lay a 4 stroke on one side is completely lost on me. Does it matter? Do you normally just drop down your outboard whichever way it lands?

I do agree about the slightly more effort required to start a 4 stroke. On the other hand I can put up with that rather than have a buzzing outboard in my ear whilst mooching about.
 
Re: They\'ll have to prise my British Seagull from my cold, dead, hands...

Mirelle, I've used a Seagull in my time.

My memory is of the seagull powered dinghy going over to the moorings with the crew shouting at eachother over the engine racket. The smoke plume drifting across the water, Oh and that beautiful irridescence left behind at the slipway.

It all seems so contrary to yotties whose main propulsion is wind.
 
Horses for courses though innit Phil? ( I am making reference to small outboards here). I would have bought a 4 stroke, In fact I thought about it long and hard, because I knew that whatever I bought (at the end of last summer) was going to have to do me for the foreseable future.

What I wanted was an outboard that would propel my V bottomed inflatable along at planing speed. So whilst the 4 stroke is admirable for a small displacement boat / dinghy, and will putter along all day, very quietly, it hasn't got the nice snappy throttle response or the acceleration, of the 2 stroke of equivelant horse power. Also, generally in the 4 -5hp range, 4 strokes a quite a bit heavier, that is an important factor when thinking of using one to power a yacht tender. In the 2 -3 hp range, I don't think it makes much difference.

What of course it does have in abundence, is low down grunt. A bit like me really, well that's what the missus says /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
I changed to four stroke last year because my kids found the noise of a 2 stroke hurt their ears. The 4 stroke isnt much quieter but its a more pleasant noise somehow. Also uses less fuel ,no mixing etc.

Our Suzuki four can be layed down on one side only .The old two stroke Yamaha could be laid either side but you wouldnt lay it on the gear lever from choice anyway.

I agree that the new law is a waste of time as it will achieve very little for the environment while narrowing the choices available.
 
Well, just for the record, 2 strokes are able to meet the emissions requirement, but it would make the engine uncompetitive both in cost and performance terms.

I will keep my 1968 Seagull 40, and also my Honda BF 2.3. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Talking 80110X about oil! ;¬)

Over a season...

It takes a lot longer to change the oil and dispose of the residue with a four stroke, than add a bit of TWC-III to a 5 litre petrol can everytime you fill it (twice?, three times?)

Dependent on usage, four stroke is likely to use more oil too.
 
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