4 stroke vs 2 stroke

[Greenjello]

I am looking at getting an newer boat a 2005 nitro 640LX. It has a 2005 Mercury 2 stoke 50hp. Now I know that 50hp is 50hp regardless of its 2 or 4 stroke but are 2005 2 strokes good motors. I currently have a 2005 25hp 4stroke on my small 15ftboat and it does fine its not a speed demon but I have really liked it being a 4 stroke.

I have watched people struggle at the ramps with their 2 strokes and have heard the stories about the oil injection going out but is that because they are older or just a problem with 2 strokes? Has there been a point that 2 stokes and/or the oil injection gotten better.

Can anyone give me any advice on this motor or owning a new 2 stroke. Also are there any advantages of having a 2 stroke vs a 4 stroke other than the weight difference. And is there anything I would need to do differently to upkeep a 2 stroke.

Thanks for any and all help.

 

[green4themoney]

Re: 4 stroke vs 2 stroke

2 strokes are much lighter, they are snappier, weigh less and MUCH easier to work on imo because they are very simple, 4 strokes are over rated they are only on the lake because of "emissions" but you look at how many people are driving to work every day making pollution, the amount of actual 2 stroke motors on the lake is like a needle in a haystack.... and it angers me greatly that they dont make 2 strokes anymore in lower horsepowers at least mercury doesnt... its bullcrap in my opinion, that particular motor is a great motor id take it over a 50 4 stroke any day

 

[j_martin]

Re: 4 stroke vs 2 stroke

The 50 hp engine on that boat is marginal to start with. A 4 stroke 50 probably wouldn't get it on plane with the livewell full.

 

[Greenjello]

Re: 4 stroke vs 2 stroke

the 2 stroke is 42lbs lighter and I guess hanging off the transome that is amount is multiplied some. I am not knocking 2 strokes I just don't know enough about them and will most likely be owning one this week.

 

[Joe_the_boatman]

Re: 4 stroke vs 2 stroke

To answer your question regarding maintenance, a 2-stroke engine requires much less. The majority of the engines still out there (at least in my neck of the woods) are 2-strokes, so there is plenty of info out there.

Generally, cautious people will remove the oil injection on older motors (15-20 years old) fearing they may fail (and ruin the engine), or they'll at least start preemptively replacing parts on it. On a 4-year old motor, you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

 

[coolguy147]

Re: 4 stroke vs 2 stroke

only problem i have with 2 strokes in fact on owning one is the cost of oil constantly replinshing seeing as i know this cause i have to mix 24:1

 

[j_martin]

Re: 4 stroke vs 2 stroke

only problem i have with 2 strokes in fact on owning one is the cost of oil constantly replinshing seeing as i know this cause i have to mix 24:1

Yes, but you can use 30W non-detergent at 5 bucks a gallon in a 1950 3 1/2 horse Champion.

 

[just_crsn]

Re: 4 stroke vs 2 stroke

I have owned both. Never will own another 2 stroke. Not sure why everyone aways say that they need alot more maintenance. Only extra maintenance i do is oil changes....big deal. I still change plugs, lower unit oil,fuel filters just like the 2 strokes. Almost forgot...i do check the belt.....still great shape after 3 years on the water.....every weekend fishing and hunting. I was out and topped up my tank today from another outing....$5.52. That was just from trolling most of the afternoon last weekend. Ya, darn old 4 strokes

 

[Greenjello]

Re: 4 stroke vs 2 stroke

I don't know how the boat will peform, it comes from tracker with that motor on it so I gotta believe it will get on plane.

So is there a point/ year where 2 strokes became better/ more efficent/ less polluting. I am just trying to find the sweet spot of a good deal but still a good motor.

 

[j_martin]

Re: 4 stroke vs 2 stroke

I don't know how the boat will peform, it comes from tracker with that motor on it so I gotta believe it will get on plane.

So is there a point/ year where 2 strokes became better/ more efficent/ less polluting. I am just trying to find the sweet spot of a good deal but still a good motor.

DFI did that. Mercury Optimax, Evinrude E-Tech.

 

[Greenjello]

Re: 4 stroke vs 2 stroke

when did DFI start? would a 97 115 have that or is that too soon?

 

[SteuryLover]

Re: 4 stroke vs 2 stroke

DFI is a type of technology injecting the fuel and oil directly into each cylinder hence being more efficient, less smoke and allowed on all California water ways. They were introduced as an alternative to 4 strokes for emissions controlled states. Newer DFI engines 2003 up or so, are fairly well proven designs with kinks work out. A 1997 is most likely not a DFI 2 stroke.