Four / Two Stroke

[SILVERFOX]

I need a new outboard for my Cornish Shrimper and am thinking of a Tohatsu or Mariner 6 hp four stroke, for quietness, economy and of course, to save having to mix petrol and oil. Am I right in thinking that the four stroke will be quieter? Would be interested to hear other peoples experience and on reliability.

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[Boathook]

My views are based on 30 HP.
4 stroke are quieter and use less fuel but my 4 stroke seems to have less power than my 2 stroke. Oil mixing did not come into the equation as there was a seperate oil tank allowing the oil used to match performance. The oil does cost money but a 4 stroke used to cost more; and in the grand sceam of things the cost diapeared.

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[whisper]

Yes it's almost bound to be much quieter especially at low revs. Only exception is the Honda 2/2.3 which is noisy 'cos it's air cooled.
I suspect the torque may not be quite as good as with a 2 stroke of the equivalent power and the engine will be noticeably heavier as well.
The lack of having to mix oil and the greater fuel efficiency of the 4 stroke may counter that.
Hope that helps.
John

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[ex-Gladys]

Main advantage of a 2 stroke is not having all the weight of the valve gear. Lookat Tohatsu catalogue for comparable engines and weights....

<hr width=100% size=1>Larry Botheras

Anderson 26 "Amber"

 

[AndCur]

I have a Mariner 6hp 4 stroke which i use on my Achilles 24. The main advantage
is likes to tick over in gear and theres no risk of fouling plugs. Its very easy on fuel on average about 7 miles per litre at 5 knots of boat speed. If buying the Tohatsu is the same engine as the Mariner and Mercury only a bit cheaper.

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[colin_jones]

Hello Foxy

I have run a Mercury 6x 4stroke for the past three years on an Avon dinghy.

It is quieter, less messy to refuel, very economical and heavier, but not so heavy that my wife cannot take it into the cockpit when we lift it from dinghy into a high sided boat.

It starts much more reiably than any 2 stroke I have ever owned, even after a long idle period.

At tickover you can scarcely hear it at all.

In transit and storage, it has to be kept nearly upright, or put on its side with the handle down. This is not really a hardship. Just a feat of memory.

In a few years, it is probable that all outboard motors will be 4 stroke.

If you can coppe with the weight and the slightly higher purchase price, go for it.

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[SILVERFOX]

Many thanks for all of the replies. I think I’ll go for it and purchase a Mariner four stroke 6 hp. Is there any difference between the Mariner and Tohatsu four strokes apart from the price?

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[AndCur]

The Engines are the same apart from a differant paint job. I would go for the Tohatsu as you will be able to buy it c/w charging kit for the price of the basic Mariner.

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[danera]

I've decided to go for the tohatsu as well. The sail version also comes with high thrust propellor (helps you stop!) which was £90 extra for the mariner.

Another advantage of 4-strokes is they are greener, depositing less oil in the water.

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[ex-Gladys]

From 2007 2 strokes will be emissions illegal as new outboards in EU

<hr width=100% size=1>Larry Botheras

Anderson 26 "Amber"