OT - 4 stroke outboards
 

Lately, marketing for 2 strokers mentions higher maintenance for 4 strokers.
Any truth to that?
Any opinions on 4 versus 2?

Thanks, Bill

OT - 4 stroke outboards
 

"Capt John" wrote in message


probably more reliable because it's nothing new and fewer parts,

There are enough Optimax owners for a class action lawsuit that disagree
with that statement.

Who knows on the rest. It, like anything, depends on the specific model and
manufacturer. If I were gungho for a 4 stroke I'ld look real hard at Honda.
Aren't many MFGs who make a better lower maintenacne motor than Honda.

My next boat will probably be a lot slower than my currrent one, but Honda
will definitely be one of my seriously considered motors. The major
negative to them for me is having a local service dealer I trust.


--
Bob La Londe
Fishing Arizona & The Colorado River
Fishing Forums & Contests
http://www.YumaBassMan.com



*** Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com ***

OT - 4 stroke outboards
 

The particular unit I'm looking at is an '00 Yamaha 100hp.

What's going on with the Optimax?
I'm not a Merc fan, so I can't say I'm surprised
at some news of problems.
Bill

"Bob La Londe" wrote in message
.. .
"Capt John" wrote in message


probably more reliable because it's nothing new and fewer parts,

There are enough Optimax owners for a class action lawsuit that disagree
with that statement.

Who knows on the rest. It, like anything, depends on the specific model
and
manufacturer. If I were gungho for a 4 stroke I'ld look real hard at
Honda.
Aren't many MFGs who make a better lower maintenacne motor than Honda.

My next boat will probably be a lot slower than my currrent one, but Honda
will definitely be one of my seriously considered motors. The major
negative to them for me is having a local service dealer I trust.


--
Bob La Londe
Fishing Arizona & The Colorado River
Fishing Forums & Contests
http://www.YumaBassMan.com



*** Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com ***

OT - 4 stroke outboards
 

I've always heard (and from several owners of them) that the 4 strokers have
better fuel economy.
Not true??

Bill


"Capt John" wrote in message
oups.com...
You have to change the oil, no oil to change on a two stroke. Their's a
lot more moving parts in a four stroke, more parts = more maintenance.
If I were in the market for a large outboard I would go with a fuel
injected two stroke. Less maintenance, less weight, probably cost less,
probably more reliable because it's nothing new and fewer parts, faster
curise speed and they burn less fuel up on plane. The marketing people
want you to feel good about buying a four stroke, like your doing your
part to save the planet. When the hype meets reality head on, the four
stroke is hard to justify.

OT - 4 stroke outboards
 

"bill allemann" wrote in message
. com...
Lately, marketing for 2 strokers mentions higher maintenance for 4
strokers.
Any truth to that?
Any opinions on 4 versus 2?

Thanks, Bill

On the basis of a year and a half of running it, I would look at the
Evinrude E-TEC. Two stroke but is accepted in California with their high
emission laws. My 90 HP has performed wonderfully. I understand they are
coming out with a 115 shortly. I just got back from fishing around Bahamas
and the last guides we fished with on this trip were using E-Tecs.

OT - 4 stroke outboards
 

"bill allemann" wrote in message
. com...
Lately, marketing for 2 strokers mentions higher maintenance for 4
strokers.
Any truth to that?
Any opinions on 4 versus 2?

Thanks, Bill

Now, remember that this is strictly my opinion based on the fact that I've
always owned 2 stroke outboards but have been in several 4 stroke powered
boats.

The horsepower to weight ratio is better with a 2 stroke in most instances,
and 2 stroke outboards "rev up" quicker than 4 strokes, getting you up on
plane quicker. The 4 stroke powered boats I've been in seemed to take
forever to get on plane.

While 4 stroke technology is being touted as being more environmentally
friendly, advances in fuel delivery and emission control systems for two
stroke outboards have improved dramatically and new 2 strokes are as good,
if not better than some 4 strokes for emissions.

The same can be said for fuel economy. 4 strokes do give good "milage" but
are no longer superior to new 2 strokes.

4 stroke outboards have more moving parts and require more maintenance than
2 stroke outboards.

4 stroke outboards are quiet when operating, but I personally found the
noise that they do make to sound mechanical and annoying!

BUT, in defense of 4 stroke motors, if you do a LOT of trolling, 4 stroke
motors will run better at low rpm's without loading up than most 2 stroke
motors and they probably won't smoke as much. Oh wait, if you get a Mercury
Optimax with the Smart Gauges, you can control the rpm's too! Oh well, so
much for that.....

So, is there any significant differences, yes and no. Would I buy a 4
stroke? Maybe the Verado, but that's different, it has a supercharger,
which is high on the "Cool Factor".... Otherwise, I see no real reason to
buy a 4 stroke motor.

But remember, these are just my impressions. Your milage may vary.
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com

OT - 4 stroke outboards
 

"Bob La Londe" wrote in message
.. .
"Capt John" wrote in message


probably more reliable because it's nothing new and fewer parts,

There are enough Optimax owners for a class action lawsuit that disagree
with that statement.

Who knows on the rest. It, like anything, depends on the specific model
and
manufacturer. If I were gungho for a 4 stroke I'ld look real hard at
Honda.
Aren't many MFGs who make a better lower maintenacne motor than Honda.

My next boat will probably be a lot slower than my currrent one, but Honda
will definitely be one of my seriously considered motors. The major
negative to them for me is having a local service dealer I trust.

The early Optimax outboards did have problems, but those issues have been
resolved. From everything that I've been hearing lately, it's the eTecs
that are puking powerheads. One thing I don't like about the eTec's is that
if you're a private owner, you have the long warranty, but if you are a
guide, then you're limited to a one year warranty!

A guy I know occasionally takes his employer's customers out to entertain
them. Because he is on the company payroll while doing this, he needs a
guide license to be legal. So he has a license for the two or three times
per year he takes his boss's clients out. THAT's the extent of his guiding!

He bought an eTec 225 powered boat last year, and the powerhead blew. It
had a 5 year warranty and the powerhead was replaced under warranty. This
spring he took the boat out for some spring walleye fishing. The powerhead
blew again. He went back to the dealer with the boat and was told that
because he guides, the warranty expired after one year. Now he's sitting
with the option of a HUGE repair bill or re-powering his boat!

I was in an 18' AlumaCraft boat powered by a Honda 130. That boat seemed to
take forever to get on plane and it wasn't loaded down with gear. Give me a
two-stroke anyday!
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com

OT - 4 stroke outboards
 

A guy I know occasionally takes his employer's customers out to entertain
them. Because he is on the company payroll while doing this, he needs a
guide license to be legal. So he has a license for the two or three times
per year he takes his boss's clients out. THAT's the extent of his guiding!

He bought an eTec 225 powered boat last year, and the powerhead blew. It
had a 5 year warranty and the powerhead was replaced under warranty. This
spring he took the boat out for some spring walleye fishing. The powerhead
blew again. He went back to the dealer with the boat and was told that
because he guides, the warranty expired after one year. Now he's sitting
with the option of a HUGE repair bill or re-powering his boat!

I was in an 18' AlumaCraft boat powered by a Honda 130. That boat seemed to
take forever to get on plane and it wasn't loaded down with gear. Give me a
two-stroke anyday!
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com

Steve,
My 75hp E-tec I bought last summer at Cabelas here blew the power head
within the first 10 hours. Bombardier had a new one to Cabelas within the
same week. Mine was the 1st one that the local Cabelas had set up and I
wondered if they maybe screwed up. The mechanic had his text books from the
E-Tec class he had attended out while his laptop was hooked up to the motor
during setup. I have had not had a problem since. Seems quieter than the 40
Honda I had 7 years ago. Joe Z.

OT - 4 stroke outboards
 

"Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers" wrote in
message ...

"bill allemann" wrote in message
. com...
Lately, marketing for 2 strokers mentions higher maintenance for 4
strokers.
Any truth to that?
Any opinions on 4 versus 2?

Thanks, Bill

Now, remember that this is strictly my opinion based on the fact that I've
always owned 2 stroke outboards but have been in several 4 stroke powered
boats.

The horsepower to weight ratio is better with a 2 stroke in most
instances, and 2 stroke outboards "rev up" quicker than 4 strokes, getting
you up on plane quicker. The 4 stroke powered boats I've been in seemed
to take forever to get on plane.

While 4 stroke technology is being touted as being more environmentally
friendly, advances in fuel delivery and emission control systems for two
stroke outboards have improved dramatically and new 2 strokes are as good,
if not better than some 4 strokes for emissions.

The same can be said for fuel economy. 4 strokes do give good "milage"
but are no longer superior to new 2 strokes.

4 stroke outboards have more moving parts and require more maintenance
than 2 stroke outboards.

4 stroke outboards are quiet when operating, but I personally found the
noise that they do make to sound mechanical and annoying!

BUT, in defense of 4 stroke motors, if you do a LOT of trolling, 4 stroke
motors will run better at low rpm's without loading up than most 2 stroke
motors and they probably won't smoke as much. Oh wait, if you get a
Mercury Optimax with the Smart Gauges, you can control the rpm's too! Oh
well, so much for that.....

So, is there any significant differences, yes and no. Would I buy a 4
stroke? Maybe the Verado, but that's different, it has a supercharger,
which is high on the "Cool Factor".... Otherwise, I see no real reason
to buy a 4 stroke motor.

But remember, these are just my impressions. Your milage may vary.
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com



Why would you say a 2 stroke has less parts and should be more reliable?
The new DFI 2 strokes with air pumps, etc, are very complicated beasts. And
the extra parts for a 2 stroke are all new technology. 4 strokes have a
history of about a 100 years of manufacture. I run an inboard and have a 4
stroke Yamaha T-8 as a kicker, the kicker is quieter than the 2 stroke
Mariner it replaced and smells much better.

OT - 4 stroke outboards
 

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
nk.net...

"Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers" wrote in
message ...

"bill allemann" wrote in message
. com...
Lately, marketing for 2 strokers mentions higher maintenance for 4
strokers.
Any truth to that?
Any opinions on 4 versus 2?

Thanks, Bill

Now, remember that this is strictly my opinion based on the fact that
I've always owned 2 stroke outboards but have been in several 4 stroke
powered boats.

The horsepower to weight ratio is better with a 2 stroke in most
instances, and 2 stroke outboards "rev up" quicker than 4 strokes,
getting you up on plane quicker. The 4 stroke powered boats I've been in
seemed to take forever to get on plane.

While 4 stroke technology is being touted as being more environmentally
friendly, advances in fuel delivery and emission control systems for two
stroke outboards have improved dramatically and new 2 strokes are as
good, if not better than some 4 strokes for emissions.

The same can be said for fuel economy. 4 strokes do give good "milage"
but are no longer superior to new 2 strokes.

4 stroke outboards have more moving parts and require more maintenance
than 2 stroke outboards.

4 stroke outboards are quiet when operating, but I personally found the
noise that they do make to sound mechanical and annoying!

BUT, in defense of 4 stroke motors, if you do a LOT of trolling, 4 stroke
motors will run better at low rpm's without loading up than most 2 stroke
motors and they probably won't smoke as much. Oh wait, if you get a
Mercury Optimax with the Smart Gauges, you can control the rpm's too! Oh
well, so much for that.....

So, is there any significant differences, yes and no. Would I buy a 4
stroke? Maybe the Verado, but that's different, it has a supercharger,
which is high on the "Cool Factor".... Otherwise, I see no real reason
to buy a 4 stroke motor.

But remember, these are just my impressions. Your milage may vary.
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com



Why would you say a 2 stroke has less parts and should be more reliable?

***Take a basic two stroke engine and a basic 4 stroke engine totally apart.
Now, see how many parts you have! No where did I bring up the word
reliability!

The new DFI 2 strokes with air pumps, etc, are very complicated beasts.
And the extra parts for a 2 stroke are all new technology.

***Agreed, but they are less complicated than a comparably sized 4 stroke
outboard. I've looked under the "hood" of both and have talked to marine
mechanics who work on them. All that I've talked to would rather work on
the 2 stroke motors.

4 strokes have a
history of about a 100 years of manufacture.

***Oars and paddles have been around even longer, does that make them
better?

I run an inboard and have a 4
stroke Yamaha T-8 as a kicker, the kicker is quieter than the 2 stroke
Mariner it replaced and smells much better.

***You're comparing apples and oranges. What year was the Mariner outboard
in comparison to the Yamaha? How about a real comparison between current
technology 2 and 4 stroke kickers? You might be surprised.

***I'm not saying that 4 stroke motors are junk, what I am saying is that
they're not all they're cracked up to be. If running a 4 stroke motor makes
you happy and it does what it needs to do for you, then GREAT! But while
the 4 stroke proponents had been predicting the demise of the 2 stroke
outboard for many reasons, it just hasn't happened. Many of TODAY'S 2
stroke outboards run cleaner, with less emissions than 4 stroke outboards,
just as economically and faster in the process.
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com