2 Stroke v 4 Stroke v E-Tec v Whatever

[Shane]

Hi Guys,

Been doing a little looking into a future rig, however as with everything there is always 1 sticking point. In this case it is the engine. I am slowly starting to find out that you can just not go to any dealer and say that I want that hull and this engine, if they are not in bed with the engine dealer in the first place.

For what I have been looking at apparently people have been getting the best performance out of a 60hp E-Tec motor. Can someone tell me what the story is? Why would this 60hp be any better than another 60hp motor? If I pissed off the 4stroke and the E-Tec option and got 2 stroke would I get more grunt? This is going to be a inshore/esturary boat so I want it to get up an boogy on the ocean.

The purchase wont be for a while that is why I am doing my home work now.

Please give me some engine loving information.

And does anyone have connections that I can get discounts through

Cheers

Shane

[craig scott]

Hi Shane,
It appears that E-tec's are a bit thin on the ground out there. I think largely to do with the reputation damage OMC copped when the Ficht thing layed an egg, but I'm only speculating from the comfort of my office. This didnt stop me from getting one, a 40, and I like it lots, very happy with my decision.
I would add though, that they are all good these days, my only advice is not to go traditional 2 stroke, purely for the thirsty nature, nothing else, as they are rock reliable and generally cheaper to buy and to service (important).... but stink and cost more to pour fuel into. The E-tec has the 2 stroke grunt, the 4 stroke fuel economy, plus no scheduled servicing for 300 hours. E-tec is definately louder at idle than any 4 stoke if thats important..... it wasnt much of a decision for me, but above all else, I valued the integrity and general nature of the people who sold it to me. To avoid emotive response though, I would add that I would not hesitate to buy a 4 stroke of any of the current crop.
Cheers, Craig.

[Lone Ranger]

Hey Shane

I don't know what stage you're at with your research. Anyhow I have heaps of Aussie magazines re types of hulls e.g. fibreglass V ali, mags on various comparisons of sounders, leccys, mags on 2 strokes V 4 strokes (detailed explanations, etc) including detailed listings of the differences in each brand available, mags on diff brands of boats available throughout Oz, and well as those WA made, name of dealers in some area, etc etc.

If you wish to borrow them, you may, as long as you take care of them; collectors item. Had to say that as just lent an item out to a mate and he just couldn't be bothered giving it a normal courtesy care, even got a mate do a few things to it without asking me and I had to follow it up in various areas only to be rudely told that I had no right to make conditions never again! Hey, after all these are only magazines

The problem is how am I suppose to get them to you.

PS - PM if interested. I have a real job now and thus no longer on forum during the day!

Cheers LR

[Timmah]

hey shane, i don't know to much about aout baord motors but i do work in the industry that uses 2stroke and four stroke motors. Here are just a few points.

Generally your two strokes are lighter. Not that will make to much different, but there will be a bit. Easier to maintain just by adding the correct mixture of fuel, no need to check oil levels and do oil changes etc. Generally they tend to have more power and a higher rpm. Yes they tend to be noiser but with all the new ones out there they will be decreasing in noise. Same with fuel effiency thats also changing. Can be harder to start, but with all the new technology such as recoil systems it does make it a lot easier. If you try to start them properly in the first place ya don't have any drama's

4 strokes are usually fairly quiet, sometimes they can be eaisier to start. No need to mix fuel and oil it's done seperately, but then ya have the hassle of checking oil all the time and doing an oil change. Usually heavier motor, adds wait to boat . Meaning ya may have to have more power to get up and go. Yes maybe cheaper to run on fuel but are usualy more expensive to service.

Thats all i can think of at the moment between the two types of motors. The other thing also to look out for will be emissions. Cos if ya thinking of buying something to last you for the next few years it's worth looking into. Cos it ant far away before australia has just as strict rules on emissions as what europe and the usa has. Also look into things like ya parts back up and after sales service. Make sure there's plenty of parts either stocked in Australia or especially Perth. The wosrt thing is if ya have to get something from over sea's it does take a little bit more time and can be frustrating. Thats my two bobs worth mate. Hope it helps ya chose the right one.

Cheers
Tim

[brendan]

WHAT CAN I SAY TIMBO WRAPPED IT UP BEUTIFULLY .
BRENO

[Gary Fooks]

I am on a Federal Government Panel on Outboards at the moment and am familiar with the numbers and data on outboards. Some of the work is confidential, but …

A few things to consider:

• The HP rating is + or - a few percent If you give me the exact model I can look up the exact Kw (metric hp)

• 4 Strokes are getting lighter. Look at the Honda 50hp at 98kg - actually lighter than some 2 stroke models.

• With regulations in USA and Europe and soon Canada sales of high emission 2 strokes are falling. As a personal guess I would expect them to rationalize the range and fewer models become available.

Emission level differences are huge. And if you say you care about Bream you have to care about the water too. To put some numbers on it, in the 40hp range the emission levels for Honda Suzuki and E-tec are between 13.4 and 13.6 (HC+ Nox g/kw/hr). pretty even.

The Yamaha and Tohatsu 2 strokes are 150 to 160 ie Ten times the emissions!

The worst 4 stroke is about 30. Traditional two strokes go from 103 to 800 !

My feel for the data is that E-TEC is as good as the best 4 strokes but not better. (despite the advertising) No other DI 2 stroke is as good as E-TEC.

Again - send me an email about your model of outboard and I can send you back the hard data.

Gary

g.fooks@uq.net.au