2-Strokes banned in California

[eugwine]

Does anyone know of an effort to get an exemption for "Classic" outboards? I have a 1948 Snipe sailboat with an early 50s Martin 4 HP. Both are in great condition. I was kicked off of Lake Tahoe and threatened with severe fines because its a “2 Stroke”. I had taken great pains to keep a period look to the rig, all hardware on the boat is old bronze, canvas deck, varnished wood. The martin ran but lacked a lower rear cowling. I fabricated one out of fiberglass. (I still have the mold if anyone need a repro lower rear cowling for his or her Martin 40) I found the people at Larson Outboard Service for points and condenser. The motor is perfect due to its great slow running and quiet (almost) smoke free operation. No way do I want to slap some modern 4_stroke on this rig. Vintage automobile folks were able to get relief from modern requirements by using vintage plates or exemptions from smog rules if over a certain age. People who collect / restore vintage outboards need to actively work on this or the day may come when these fine pieces of history will only be seen but not heard. <br />My question is, Is anyone lobbying for exemptions now? If so who? If not, how can I get started? Or should I get started? Or is this just another symptom of the C-Nile virus? (I am over 50 after all) <br /><br />Don't think you’re off the hook just because you don't live here. What starts in California has a habit of spreading to the rest of the country. Don’t get me wrong, I'm not against a clean environment, but lets not throw out the baby with the bathwater<br />Reply to this forum or to me at eugh@REMOVE2xtreme.net<br />I’m having a SPAM problem so fix my address first.<br />48SNIPE

 

[walleyehed]

Re: 2-Strokes banned in California

No insults to any one person, but California has been a pain in the A$$ to the rest of the USA when talking of "emissions". All of the auto manufacturers, small engine, (Briggs, TEC, Kohler, Honda, etc.) are having to meet CA's standards because huge amounts of these products are sold there. Problem is, it doesn't fit the rest of us. And by the way, Wait 'till Evinrude sues the state of CA because their 2-stroke puts out lower emissions than ANY 4-stroke-that will be interesting.........I personally wish you could keep your 2-stroke and run it as you wish because 1 30ft tree would absorb the co2 your kicker puts out and the oils now a days are more friendly for the tree-huggers (darn, another politicaly incorrect statement-sorry.......not)<br /> I think C.A.R.B. is over-kill.<br />Look at a Boieng 747...4 engines...30,000lbs thrust X4.....and they are worried about your 2-stroke??????? I think we all get the picture here.<br /> Everyone in the USA has been fighting this problem (restrictions) for years, and I feel for you, and am sorry to hear you were asked to leave the lake, I'm affraid that would be the day I would say the _ell with boating, and I live only to count the days I will be on the water next.<br />Good luck to you.......

 

[Hillfisher]

Re: 2-Strokes banned in California

Are you saying that you can't even use a 2-stroke engine in Ca now? I thought it was going to be that you could no longer buy one after 2006 but you could still use the one you still owned. Does this apply to motorcycles, weed eaters, chain saws, etc., also?

 

[JB]

Re: 2-Strokes banned in California

I think you overstate the case, Snipe.<br /><br />As I understand it, sales of new 2 strokes are banned, and use of 2 strokes is banned on certain lakes, most notably Tahoe.<br /><br />That makes your old Martin a grandfather in most of the state.<br /><br />That does not change the reputation CA has earned for being real Nazis about air quality and water quality. That is a double edged blade; a price must be paid to restore and protect the quality of the environment. A lot of it is like attacking mice with a sledge hammer, but it has resulted in fewer mice.<br /><br />Next it will become illegal to eat beans in CA, to protect air quality.

 

[roscoe]

Re: 2-Strokes banned in California

How true JB.<br />There already has been a group trying to outlaw cattle, because of the methane produced during digestion.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: 2-Strokes banned in California

JB, don't give'em anymore ideas that might affect us all...........I like beans, and sometimes, the look on my wife's face afterwards.........

 

[seahorse5]

Re: 2-Strokes banned in California

2 strokes are not banned in California. New outboards, of any technology, have to meet the EPA 2006 emission levels, that is all. Carbureted and most fuel injected 2-strokes do not meet 2006 specs. The direct fuel injected (DFI) 2-strokes exceed the EPA emission levels and are sometimes "cleaner" than the 4 strokes. These DFI motors are OK to sell and use in CA. In fact, the Lake Tahoe enforcement agency uses Evinrude FICHT (DFI) outboards on their patrol boats. They used to use 4 stroke Hondas.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: 2-Strokes banned in California

This raises an interesting question for me...what is going to happen to the Mercury racing division of outboards that are so popular on the Bass boats????

 

[seahorse5]

Re: 2-Strokes banned in California

Since 2001 motors that do not meet the 2006 emission specs say on the carton that they are not for sale in the state of California.