Should I buy a 2-stroke?

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rays

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We have a 6HP 4-stroke outboard which came with the boat. It's too heavy for me to easily lift off the transom and on to the tender. Getting it off the tender is impossible without SWMBO heaving on a line tied around the engine (we have davits). The engine is great, good condition only 3 years old, serviced etc., but we don't need a 6HP engine. So, at the Boat Show yesterday I went looking for a new 3.5HP 4-stroke. The 3.5 was lighter than the 6 but still a handful. "Why not get a 2-stroke?" said the nice salesman. He had a few left at good prices. Well, we both tried lifting it and it must half been half the weight of the 4-stroke! My question is, is their any rational reason why we shouldn't get the 2 stroke?
CD
 
No rational reason, but the ban on 2str is do with the environment (oil in the exhaust). However, there are thousands of 2strs out there, and likely to be there for a long time, and professional users such as fishermen can continue to buy them.

The only drawback is keeping a stock of separate 2str oil in the lazarette.


More power for the same weight, or same power for less weight - seems reasonable.

I have a Seagull 40+ as an heirloom investment, and they can't get more 2 strokey than that !
 
True.

I bought a Honda 5hp four stroke last year, but wished I had bought a two stroke 6hp, which was cheaper, lighter and more powerful.

The fuel consumption difference is like comparing a hamster to a Guinea pig..... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
Get yourself a 2 stroke while you still can. far better power to weight ratio as you have found out [and less complex - you can store it any way up...]

I wouldn't be without my 3hp Yamaha Malta;- possibly the best outboard ever made.
 
As for the polution concern, one more two stroke engine is nothing compared to even a minute of flight time in a 747!!!!

Go for a 2 stroke, lighter, doesnt matter if it sits at odd angles(i.e. when heeled) and can be turned upside down!
 
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As for the polution concern, one more two stroke engine is nothing compared to even a minute of flight time in a 747!!!!

Go for a 2 stroke, lighter, doesnt matter if it sits at odd angles(i.e. when heeled) and can be turned upside down!

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How does a 747 drop oil and petrol into a still harbour?

Not that I am against 2 stroke explicitly, but I have no wish to go back to seeing the streak of pollution pouring out from behind my tender..

I chose to buy a 4 stroke recently for the cleanness of running, not so much the environment.. I also like the fact it does not SOUND like a 2 stroke.
 
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Not that I am against 2 stroke explicitly, but I have no wish to go back to seeing the streak of pollution pouring out from behind my tender..



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I'm of the opinion that the last generation of two strokes together with the advances made in oil technology are much better. My Mariner 3.3 doesn't leave a trail. (note to self..Check when warmer weather arrives)
 
There are clearly pros & cons to both 2 & 4 stroke engines. Sadly, 2 strokes have become marginalised by those nice Legislator people. Generally, the advantages of a 2 stroke are weight, power density & delivery, simplicity and cost. They can be a bit noisy and they are very easy to over-oil. They are remarkably tolerant of abuse, keeping them upside down in a locker for many months, for example.

For many of us, the weight of an outboard can be the biggest differentiating issue of choice.

Keeping a spark plug spanner and wire brush at hand is always a smart thing to do.

If you can get one at a good price and its easy to handle around your boat, I wouldn't hesitate. Latest models are very technically advanced, a far cry from my Lambretta scooter in the 1970's!

Don't mean to be selfish but I'll take emissions a bit more seriously when any government tackles chronic traffic congestion, one of the worst examples of unnecessary pollution of our time.
 
Tell you what, I won't run my trusty Seagull this weekend, that will leave the equivalent of at least ooh 2 years regular use for your shiny new 2 stroker.....

There, carbon trading works see. You just owe me a /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
How much pollution is involved in the process of making a new outboard motor and in disposing of the old one? How much is it, compared with the difference of pollution between the two in a few weeks an year? I have no positive data at hand, but let us take in account this matter too.
Fair winds to everybody.
Sandro
(Seagull 40+ from 1963)
 
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I have no wish to go back to seeing the streak of pollution pouring out from behind my tender..

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A little over enthusiastic with the oil perhaps?
 
the only real advantage of the 4 stroke score is on fuel economy( a 4 stroke will use about 70% of that of a similar size 2 stroke) and the cost of oil additivre to the petrol) Modern 2 stroke are totally different animals from the old 2 stroke outboards and motor bike engines of the past with their plug fouling and whiskering problems. I have not taken a plug out of my main outboard or tender outboard (both Tohatsu) in 6 years.
The lower purchase price, lower weight which has substantil safety implications with tenders particularly, tolerance to being laid down in any position makes the choice very simple. The low oil mixing ratios now have I think minimum environmental impact compared to 2 stroke engines of the past.
 
The other major advantage of a 4 stroke is that they are usually quieter.

If you dont mind the extra noise 2 strokes are lighter and require less maintenance. Also easier to stow and transport than a 4 which need top be laid down only one way up.
 
My 18Hp tohatsu (2stroke !) is quite heavy lol, but I bet me fuel consumption per mile is lower than the 3.5 and then 9.8 tohatsus I had before lol.. (on a 3.1 south pacific rib .. 23 to 25 knots in calm conditions) AND lower than a 4 stroke cos the extra weight would offset it... along with the torque curve....

Sod the environment... its all a load of dogs dollop.. more oil comes out of diesel exhausts by some of the chain smoking yotties I see..
 
For a large engine for a speedboat, no. For a small tender, yes - the advantages of a 2/S greatly outweigh the minute amount of extra pollution a tiny modern two-stroke produces.
 
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