2 stroke vrs 4 stroke which is better?

imported_rusty

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 27, 2005
Messages
186
ok i was looking at a boat that had a 4 stroke suzuki on it about 3 years old but i heard there more maintence to them so whats some good and bad points?
 

WillyBWright

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 29, 2003
Messages
8,200
Re: 2 stroke vrs 4 stroke which is better?

How big is that motor and are we comparing to conventional or direct injected 2-strokes? What kind of boat is it on and what kind of boating do you do?
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: 2 stroke vrs 4 stroke which is better?

Negatives = oil/filter changes and related disposal issues, more parts to go wrong, valve adjustments. Positives = quiet and economical but then the new injected two-strokes have those benefits without the maintenance. If you compare injected four stroke with carbed two-strokes the four stroke gets the nod from me. Otherwise you pay your money and make your choice.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: 2 stroke vrs 4 stroke which is better?

It really depends on your priorities, Rusty. What is most important to you?<br /><br />Carbed 2 strokes are cheap, light, reliable, easy to work on, noisy, banned on some waters, smelly and thirsty.<br /><br />Carbed 4 strokes are more expensive, heavier, reliable, less forgiving of abuse, require more maintenance, more expensive to repair, quiet, cleaner, more economical to operate and legal everywhere.<br /><br />DFI 2 strokes are heavier, more expensive, reliable, require a shop to do some maintenance, more economical, clean, quieter.<br /><br />EFI 4 strokes are heavy and expensive (about the same as DFI 2 strokes), require more routine maintenance (some must be done by a shop), very user friendly, quiet, clean.<br /><br />There are arguments about what offers the best performance, reliability and economy. The jury is still out on those.<br /><br />I haven't owned a DFI 2 stroke. I have owned over a dozen carbed 2 strokes and 2 4 strokes. A 9.9hp Johnson (made by OMC) and one EFI 4 stroke (Suzuki DF70) which was hands down the best mid-power range outboard I ever owned. Owner-done maintenance was simple and easy. The only time it needed shop maintenance was for warranty required checkups.<br /><br />Different strokes for different priorities.
 

imported_rusty

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 27, 2005
Messages
186
Re: 2 stroke vrs 4 stroke which is better?

wow lots of diffrent things to consider. it is on a 20 ft bayliner trophy . i just though 4 stroke was the way boating was going . i thought it was extremly reliable. and maintence free for the most part. oh i beleive it was fuel injection also.
 

paulie0735

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 6, 2005
Messages
463
Re: 2 stroke vrs 4 stroke which is better?

Rusty, your thoughts are accurate enough. If I were in the market for a general purpose boat under 22' than I wouldn't hesitate to buy one fitted with a big 4 stroke. Just because it’s not what I might want in a boat is no reason for you to not purchase it. Remember though, buying second hand marine is a lottery and absolutely nothing in the marine world is maintenance free…….. not for any part!!!!
 

ziemann

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 28, 2004
Messages
584
Re: 2 stroke vrs 4 stroke which is better?

My advice is to use that big red "SEARCH" button at the top of the page. THis is a topic that has been debated here for several years and most of us have tired of this debate. There are some fantastic threads that go back quite a while that are well worth reading. Hopefully this isn't a troll....
 
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