Safety implications of new 4 stroke outboards

[Jcorstorphine]

I tried out our new “state of the art” 2.5 Suzuki four stroke outboard for the first time today and I am really concerned over the weight and bulk of this engine. In calm water within the marina I really had to struggle to manhandle the engine from the dingy back up onto the transom mount of our boat.

Not only is the new engine 50% heavier than our old Yamaha 2, it is also far bulkier and more difficult to grip. At times I was sure I was going to drop it which has prompted me to consider designing a small removable stern mounted davit to minimize this hazard.

I only wish the “clowns” within the EEC who decided to ban small two stroke outboards had considered the safety implication of their actions. One just hopes that there will be no accidents to people like myself who are no longer in the first flush of youth drowning whilst transferring the engines from the parent vessel to their dingy.

 

[beachbum]

I rarely pass up an opportunity to slag off the EU, but I'm afraid they didn't ban 2-strokes. They just said that they had to meet the same emission standards as everything else - and gave the manufacturers a dispensation to delay implementing those standards whilst they re-engineered. The manufacturers went on until the dispensation expired, then chose to drop them because the re-engineering would cost too much.

 

[gregandginas]

My understanding is that the emmissions regs were not overly stringent... and the 2 stroke solutions are already now back on the market - but not at the sub 15hp end of the market that would be of interest to us!

We would have bought a 2-stroke if we could... but ended up with a Honda BF6 that weights 35kg. I really struggled to get it from the inflatable onto the transom of our Pandora. If we're to do that regularly I was thinking that we might need to use the boom as a gantry (perhaps with the goose-neck relocated to the companionway) and a cradle made of webbing (commercial version or home made version).

To cap it all, now it's on, we're finding the trim of the boat is not right. I measured up for the fitting height... mounted the bracket exactly... and the damn thing drags the stern down 2"-3" when stationary and a lot more than that when motoring - so much so that the cockpit fills through the self drainer.

Plus side? It's quiet... and I believe I'm right in saying that where a 2 stroke ought to be run at > 75% revs at all times to prevent carbon deposits, our 2 cylinder 4 stroke should be OK running at a modest (quiet, fuel efficient) 25% of revs for most of the time, with just the occasional workout.

 

[[2068]]

The manufacturers went on until the dispensation expired, then chose to drop them because the re-engineering would cost too much.

It could be argued that setting a target that is impossible to meet without excessive cost is effectively the same as a ban.

If Evinrude thought they could make lots of money out of "mini-E-Tecs", I'm sure they would.

 

[reeac]

I made a mini-davit several years ago just to help with such problems. It's made of S/S tubing and is permanently bolted to the pushpit. Got it published in PBO - in about 2006. We always use it to transfer the outboard from tender to pushpit.

 

[MarkJohnson12345]

On the question of getting the engine from the yacht to the dinghy.....

Having inflated the dinghy and floated it, I tie it up bow and stern to midships on the yacht. I then lower the outboard into the dinghy using a mooring rope or similar.

I then move the dinghy back to the stern, get into it, untie and mount the outboard engine with relative ease.

Retrieving the engine is the same procedure reversed.

A little care is needed when lifting to prevent the engine bashing the side of the yacht.

Lowering and lifting the engine with a rope is relatively easy, and does not strain arms and back etc.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Two Stroke Outboard

 

[Salty John]

You may need a Motor Grip. It provides a hand hold on top of the motor so you can keep one hand for the motor and one for yourself. We made the Motor Grip after discovering just how difficult it was to get our 4HP motor from the dinghy onto the engine mount on our daysailor on a mooring.

Commercial interest declared - we make and sell them. There are other lifting slings available, also.