Two Stroke vs Four Stroke Outboards

Two Stroke Vs Four Stroke. When is it time to buy an old two stroke outboard? The Small Boat Captain breaks down the ins and outs of two stroke and four stroke outboards and gives some insight into why he owns both two stroke and four stroke outboard motors.

[kalleklp]

I love my old Evinrude Sport Twin 9 1/2 HP. 54 years old, no leaks, and still running flawlessly. It smokes and stinks, but never once has it let me down. :)

[fishlips]

I bought a new 50 etec just before they announced they were stopping making them. Best decision ever. Its finally going in for its first service in the next month. If I bought a 4 stroke it would of cost two services easy already. It uses hardly any fuel pushing a 4.5m plate nor does it use much oil. (fuel injected and oil injected). Im only half way through a bottle and its done a decent amount of work so far. The fuel smell is comparable to a 4 stroke. On top of that it pumps out the highest amount of amps in its class by far, so charging the 80lb motorguide Lipo battery is super. Etecs are the only outboard that is rated in the EU environment standards for their lakes. The only thing is you got to start it up every few months and run it as it cant be left to sit there as the lube from the oil can potentially run dry. Hopefully someday someone will buy the rights and start manufacturing them again. They were the US military's go to outboard. To be honest I cringe at the thought of having to buy another 4 stroke after owning the tec, :(

[leroymorris]

Great video for me since im in the learning and looking process. Thank you.

[jbsmangrovelagoon]

I own both types of engines, and I actually enjoy using the 2 stroke more.

[tacticaladvance]

In some cases, I would argue that there is less pollution with a 2-stroke engine. If your 4-stroke engine's tiller is lying on its side, it will create an oil slick when placed in the water, regardless of the tiller's position. This oil slick is visible. While a 2-stroke engine burns oil underwater, the environmental impact depends on how the engine is used. I have experience with both 4-stroke and 2-stroke engines CDI : the 4-stroke is better when kept upright, while the 2-stroke performs better on its side. I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on this.

[christopherstevens]

1985 johnson 50 2 stroke love the little thing doesn't make a ton of power but it's basically bulletproof

[crazytabletboy]

I agree with the video. I would say if it’s carbureted 20 hp or less then it’s two-stroke all the way, especially if you live in a tropical area. What was not mentioned is that today’s fuel is loaded with ethanol and if you don’t use your small four stroke carbureted motor on a regular basis, you will wind up cleaning the carburetors out on a regular basis. The reason for this is that the fuel sits in the carburetor bowl and decomposes. It will fool you because it will run one time, but then all that stuff sitting at the bottom and gets sucked into the carburetor so it won’t run the next time when you’re out on the water. You have to drain carb bowls every time you use it. The two strokes don’t have that problem because while the ethanol still decomposes in the float bowls, the fuel itself has oil in it, and that tends to lubricate the Jets reducing chances of it clogged carbs. I have a friend who has an identical motor to mine. His is two-stroke mine is 4 he hasn’t cleaned his carburetor out ever and I’m doing it every month. 25 hp and up with electronic fuel injection then it is four stroke all the way. It’s cleaner quieter and you get great gas mileage. And they run a lot smoother. And the EFI is a high-pressure system, which tends to eliminate the clogging issue.

[JR-hoqm]

Good video but, no disrespect you need to do some research on how the Evinrude G2 2 stroke worked. No mixing of gas and oil anywhere it pin pointed the oil into precise positions making it the most environmentally friendly fuel operated outboard ever produced. And they still use this design in the new Rotax outboard. I really hope they bring the G2 back to market. It is a phenomenal motor 👍🏻

[squiddly-diddly]

My 2 stroke Merc 15 eats the 4 strokes ...despite all the promo one of those yammy 30 3 cylinder on my I'd never got rid of it....now just acquired a second hand mint 12 footer with the 15 ..just for harbour fishing...

[jrbuch]

I'm in the market for a boat. I like 2 strokes for their simplicity (If well maintained). The boat isn't for super regular use, so I can deal with extra fuel consumption for those occasional uses. Plus they're quick to get into their powerband. Also, you can get some good high horsepower 2 strokes for the same money as much lower powered 4 stroke.

But if I were using a boat every day or more frequently, a four-stroke would be the go. I think you'd tire of noise/fuel consumption pretty quickly.

[jaguamann]

Well I have had a problem that may be unknown to most people. where I lived we had to take a boat to work every day and when the temperature drops to -20c the exhaust freezes and the exhaust pipe is blocked by ice. the solution was to leave the engine in the bathroom at night. the weight of even a small engine like 9.9 or 15 hp is very different on 4-stroke and 2-stroke

[stevestecenko]

Okay Capt'n, I have a question and a delema for you. I own a 5 metre 1980 Quintrex Cruiseabout...the old 70hp 2 stroke is dead, and I am looking for a replacement. The problem I see with a 4 stroke is that the extra weight of the 4 stroke and the lack of power band, essentially means I should go higher in hp...but how can I, due to the extra weight on the transom? How different is my boat likely to perform with all that extra weight in the rear, as well as lack of 2 stroke power band?? Will it effect my vessel's performance in heavy seas or when trying to cross a bar to and from the ocean??? I really don't like the lack of choice, and would prefer a 2 stroke Any day.

[Nonplused]

Well a 2-stroke is what I've got, and it would be so much money to repower the boat it just wouldn't be worth it for the amount I use it. And there is an environmental cost to scrapping old equipment before it's time as well. When it dies I'll replace it, but I'll have to drop 20 horsepower for the same weight.

Lots of people like the fact that 4-strokes use less fuel, but if you already have a 2-stroke you'll never save enough on fuel to repower the boat before it's time.

[jennifervicknair]

I just bought a 2007 Yamaha 115 2 stroke and I think I’m going to get many years out of it

[Kyle-bbzp]

Yep don't buy a four stroke my dad and I never did. E-tec is still the best built outboard ever made. People just wanted to get sucker to buy a 4 stroke.

[jacobp]

2-stroke actually burns very little oil. I have a Evinrude 115 e-tec and I rarely adds oil to the oil tank. It probably burns less oil than an oil change on a 4 strike takes. One thing I dont like with it is makes more noice than a 4-stroke.

[ronaldbertin]

Love my ETECS 60 AND 150. MY 2 STROKE IS A 15 YAMAHA KICKER,

[anthonyxuereb]

Less chance of fouling plugs on a 4 stroke?

[hugoglenn]

Yamaha 50 2 stroke - 189lbs, newer Honda 60 4 stroke 217 lbs more hp/lb. More weight on the transom, most people’s guts nowadays are more than the weight difference.

[Kyle-bbzp]

The performance will all ways be there unlike a 4 stroke.