Re: 4 Stroke OB's Rebuilding Questions
Ok, I'll not argue the ficht issue, its a moot point really. Who knows what DFI will do for 4 strokes.. there is stuff you can speculate for both types.. this should be based on current performance statistics. and the ficht wins.. and the Optimax was right up there too..<br /><br />but I will say this.. As has been pointed out on this list time after time.. most outboards never reach the end of their lifespan from simple wear.. most are from owner error or manufacturing fault.<br /><br />In this application, roller bearings failing is very very rair compared to the other things that kill outboards, so the comparision is not really valid.. can anyone here say they have had many cases where roller bearings have been the reason for a rebuild or replace. ??? more often then not is a piston that detonated or something similiar. Wether or not rollers are better or not is a moot point, they have been used on outboards for more then 40 years, many of which are still around now.. Its obvious they last perfectly well in this application.. most people who would by a Ficht now, wouldn't be likely to keep it for 30 years anyway. So bearings aside, longgevity aside.. (2 strokes have proven that as well.. all you can quesion is the DFI system and that goes for 4 strokes as well.) <br /><br />So at the end of the day, compare the current best of breeds from each time and compare then,, leave brand history out of it, and preference.. <br /><br />Whats the current best performing 4 stroke on the market? suzi or yam? or maybe honda? dunno.. <br /><br />but if we compare it to the best two stroke on the market now as well, (the ficht I think, but I guess thats open for discussion as well.) and compare then completely evenly..<br /><br />If they two were on identical boats, and you had to bet $1000 of your hard earned dollars on which one would get the boat to top speed fastest.. what would you put your money on? the four stroke or the ficht?<br /><br />After reading the stats.. would you put that 1000 dollars on the 4 stroke for emissions or ecommony as well?? (keep in mind that the EPA have already declared the winner on that too.)<br /><br />There is no DFI 4 stroke on the market yet.. when there is, then we can compare again.. but right now, the 2 strokes win.<br /><br />if you compare apples to apples with what exists today. the 2 stroke ficht is the winner hands down..<br /><br />I'll be the first to admit it if that changes.. I have no preference, but I get really annoyed by blanket statements that say one is better then the other and I always stick up for the underdog (if its justified.
<br /><br />There is alot of 2 stroke bashing on this list whenever the subject comes up, and it annoyes me because people use reasons that have been proven false for outboards.. (like the roller bearings).<br /><br />The simple point of the matter is this.. right now, there is no cheaper way to get that sort of power and ecconomy on the back of your boat rigth now then with a DFI 2 stroke. End of story.<br /><br />regards<br /><br />Frank
