New vs Old Two-Stroke Outboards

[cliff]

Money talks and bullsh*t walks. For a run ashore in the tender, I'll suffer a little extra noise and safe a load of beer tokens and heartache (not to mention back ache) having to manhandle the overweight 4 stroke.

Different story if it was in constant or even extended use but for occassional short runs why pay the extra?
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>

 

[gandy]

Its turning into a 2-stroke vs 4-stroke thread, which wasn't my original intention.

I guess I'll keep my eyes open for a good deal on a new 3.3 or 3.5. However I've found that the latest probs with the Merc 2.2 were due to water in the fuel, which I can't really blame the brute for. Maybe I don't need a new one just yet, but I do wish I could spend less time wrestling with a smelly outboard. Something that the missus would trust would help as well.

 

[Lakesailor]

I'm with you there. My Yamaha 4hp 4 stroke is quieter than the Honda 5hp 4 stroke I had.
It has just as much thrust and vibrates a whole lot less.

 

[mikejames]

My old 2.3 Evinrude bought in 1997 but had been in the shop a while, with magneto/points ignition was always a tempramental device that eventually mostly stopped running with a broken condenser.

I bought a 3.5 Tohatsui in 2004 basically the same thing but with CDI and this one only stops when it runs out of fuel for some reason.

OTOH the Seagull in the shed that hadnt been used for 10 years also started without trouble . That has magneto/condenser ignition.

 

[Clyde_Wanderer]

Just to correct the point that Cliff has made about the Yahama 4stk. They can be left leying down on their front as well as their port side, which isent much different from any 2stk o.b.
So I wouldent even use that as a reason to not buy a 4stk.
And everyone should remember that in a few years there wont be any spares for the 2stks that are being sold now, as it wont be worth the dealers time stocking parts.
But in saying that, I would buy a 2stk today if I could get one.
Incidently, I have a lovely clean evinrude junior 2hp 2stk, which starts and runs easily but wont tick over, I am sure it needs a carb overhaul. If any one wants it for spares or to sort let me know, or even if anyone has a good carb for it let me know as I would sort it and keep it.