How quiet are the new 4 cycle outboards compared to 2 cycle?

[Mark42]

Are the 4 cycle outboards, especially the larger 4 cylinder 100+ hp motors much quieter than the 2 cycle versions?

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: How quiet are the new 4 cycle outboards compared to 2 cycle?

yes, looked at a friends 275hp 4-stroke mariner this weekend you can hardly hear it idle at all ........

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: How quiet are the new 4 cycle outboards compared to 2 cycle?

yes, was at the ramp a while back, big Yammy, at the dock, didn't realize it was running until it left the dock.

 

[reeldutch]

Re: How quiet are the new 4 cycle outboards compared to 2 cycle?

yes even a 4 stroke is quieter than a DFI 2 stroke.
i think suzukis are the top of the line in 4 stroke.

 

[DJ]

Re: How quiet are the new 4 cycle outboards compared to 2 cycle?

yes even a 4 stroke is quieter than a DFI 2 stroke.

Not necessarily true. Many boating magazines have run tests using decibel meters to determine. Trailer Boats Mag. has done a few.

It idle they' re pretty close. At speed there are some differences. The 4-stroke wasn't always the quietest.

Remember, the two different engine types also have a different pitch or tone (decibels aside). That is personal preference.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: How quiet are the new 4 cycle outboards compared to 2 cycle?

The son has a '95 150 V6 and at idle it is meek. But hook that sucker up and it screams. Very loud and I'm deaf...sorta.

I think that if I were in the market for a new engine of the higher hp ratings, that I might just consider sound as a significant part of the purchase selection........after all.

Mark

 

[JB]

Re: How quiet are the new 4 cycle outboards compared to 2 cycle?

When my Suzi DF70 was idling all you could hear was the tell tale stream hitting the water. I think most of the Suzis are like that. Impresses a lot of folks at the marina.

But on plane there is more sound. Not as much as a conventional 2 stroke or even a DFI 2 stroke that I have listened to, but definitely no longer silent.

Take your hearing aids out and the difference between a 4 stroke and a DFI 2 stroke (ETEC?) under power is not enough to fuss about.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: How quiet are the new 4 cycle outboards compared to 2 cycle?

Yeah, it mostly depends on the 2-stroke. The DFIs are much quieter than the conventional 2-strokes. But Merc's DFI 2-stroke isn't all that quiet compared to other DFIs. I remember riding in the ski team's boat with twin V-6 Fichts. At full throttle the wind whistling past my ears and the spray from the boat were louder than the motors. And I guess the eTecs are even quieter.

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: How quiet are the new 4 cycle outboards compared to 2 cycle?

i know the etec 175 is as quite as any 4 stroke in that hp
i went out on a boat and all i heard was the water coming out

 

[DJ]

Re: How quiet are the new 4 cycle outboards compared to 2 cycle?

At full throttle the wind whistling past my ears and the spray from the boat were louder than the motors.

That's part of the problem that the boat magazines had coming up with sound readings. Boats vary a great deal in hydro and aero dynamics. Plus, obviously, most boats are open cockpit.

 

[reeldutch]

Re: How quiet are the new 4 cycle outboards compared to 2 cycle?

but who says a loud screaming carbed 2 banger aint fun???
check Deejaycee 's post thats fun and f... ing loud:%:%

 

[Bass-A-Holic]

Re: How quiet are the new 4 cycle outboards compared to 2 cycle?

For some reason i thought i heard that you can talk in a regular voice while running a verado WOT

 

[Bass-A-Holic]

Re: How quiet are the new 4 cycle outboards compared to 2 cycle?

but that sounds a little to quiet IMHO

 

[JRJ]

Re: How quiet are the new 4 cycle outboards compared to 2 cycle?

Are the 4 cycle outboards, especially the larger 4 cylinder 100+ hp motors much quieter than the 2 cycle versions?

Let us know what you think after you check them out. I went from 2s to 4s and the 4s is so much better, I can't believe anyone would even consider a carbed 2s.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: How quiet are the new 4 cycle outboards compared to 2 cycle?

Thanks JB. I don't wear them. Certainly technology in sound abatement from '95 to '07 has come a long way. I remember back in the early days where Merc's were banging and clanging, OMC was pushing for quiet.

I saw a new 2 stroke Merc the other day and it had a plastic shroud around the engine and it continued down the skeg to the lower unit....about the only thing sticking out was the gearbox, prop, and skeg. Anybody know if this is just for fancy looks or an effort to improve the sound deadening? I tapped on it with my knuckle and it was all plastic and not very thick. Wasn't any fancy names on the engine like VRO or EFI or DFI or Verado or any of that; just Mercury.

Mark