Which one is the quiter Outboard engine??

Moulin6801

Cadet
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Jul 5, 2007
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18
I drove a Hurricane 175 with an 90HP Yamaha Outboard (don't know if was 2 or 4 strokes) and this thing was so loud that after riding up and down for a while I was ready to get out of the boat! Love the boat, hated the engine.
I am thinking about buying the same boat with a 115 or 135HP engine but I want the quietter of them all!!
Thanks for the imput!
David
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
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Sep 22, 2003
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Re: Which one is the quiter Outboard engine??

And the performance is not an issue for you? If you insist on "quiet" as the only measure, buy a four stroke. But you will find very little difference between them and the current Evinrude E-tec at any throttle setting. And they will all burn about the same amount of fuel. The E-tec will provide better overall performance, no periodic maintenance such as oil and filter changes, timing belt checks and adjustments, valve adjustments, etc. One or two of those services will make up the difference in E-tec price.
 

jspringator

Chief Petty Officer
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May 27, 2006
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415
Re: Which one is the quiter Outboard engine??

These things are so subjective, a test drive is the only way you can tell for sure. Do a search on Google. I read a few posts that suggest the 90 hp is not enough.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
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Re: Which one is the quiter Outboard engine??

I have found the Suzuki 4 strokes quieter than any others at idle and low speed. On plane all 4 strokes and the etec are about the same and quieter than non-etec 2 strokes.
 

Drowned Rat

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Jan 20, 2004
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Re: Which one is the quiter Outboard engine??

Agree with JB. Suzuki = quiet in the extreme. Very impressive.
 

Skinnywater

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Mar 7, 2002
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Re: Which one is the quiter Outboard engine??

I have found the Suzuki 4 strokes quieter than any others at idle and low speed. On plane all 4 strokes and the etec are about the same and quieter than non-etec 2 strokes.

AND it doesn't have a timing belt and oil changes are so easy a Boy Scout can do it.
If the Suzuki has a rocker type valve train like the Hondas then the 200 hour valve adjustment is a 1 hour proceedure at any competent repair shop.

Silvertip said:
no periodic maintenance such as oil and filter changes

The e-tec does have a scheduled maintenance. You don't need to change the oil but you will have to add oil since it will be burned with the fuel.
 

Silvertip

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Re: Which one is the quiter Outboard engine??

Adding oil to an E-tec is not scheduled maintenance -- if it were, adding gas to the tank would also be considered scheduled maintenance. Changing oil and filter and disposing of used oil and filters is scheduled maintenance. Valve adjustment, timing belt replacement, and similar services are not within the capability of the average boater and at $90 buck an hour those bucks can add up in a hurry. Although many have the capability of performing those services, most do not.
 

Skinnywater

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Re: Which one is the quiter Outboard engine??

Adding oil to an E-tec is not scheduled maintenance -- if it were, adding gas to the tank would also be considered scheduled maintenance. Changing oil and filter and disposing of used oil and filters is scheduled maintenance. Valve adjustment, timing belt replacement, and similar services are not within the capability of the average boater and at $90 buck an hour those bucks can add up in a hurry. Although many have the capability of performing those services, most do not.

I didn't imply adding oil to the fuel was a maintenance item.
However, the 2stroke/4stroke debate seems to be a splitting of a hair type of thing. I only metioned it because if a simple oil change is a big enough deal to be down on a 4stroke, then its fair to remind those that the E-tec isn't void of it's own oil issue. On top of....the 4strokes in the HP range the topic starter alludes to don't have timing belts. And the valve adjustment at the price you quoted is $90 every 200 hours. Ninety bucks an hour can add up with an E-tec also, unless you're implying the E-tec won't see a service department.
As far as "similar services", the E-tec also has "similar services".

...."disposing of used oil".... whew...you got us 4strokers there, 2strokes disposes of it for you..... juuuust jokin'.

Seriously, I'm not down on the E-tec, I've said before they are improving the entire outboard industry. The E-tec is a definate contender and an innovator, and that qualifys them for my respect.

Nor am I here to bash 2strokes or anyones pride and joy for that matter, but I can sure do a lot to clear up a lot of misconceptions about 4strokes.
 

EricR

Petty Officer 1st Class
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May 17, 2007
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Re: Which one is the quiter Outboard engine??

Wow, this was starting to sound like a Ford vs Chevy argument!:D
 

Bigjohn1

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Jul 19, 2005
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170
Re: Which one is the quiter Outboard engine??

Wow, this was starting to sound like a Ford vs Chevy argument!:D

It always is....regardless of how often it comes up and no matter which internet forum you read. Both are superior outboard technologies, both are reliable, both get great fuel economy. Pick your poison I say
 

mike176

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Feb 18, 2007
Messages
202
Re: Which one is the quiter Outboard engine??

I would say the yamaha 4stroke has to be the quitest engine i've ever heard, but i can only compare that to older jonny/rudes, newer mercs and a honda.
 

Bry21317

Chief Petty Officer
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Apr 9, 2002
Messages
552
Re: Which one is the quiter Outboard engine??

I agree about the Yamaha, as I was on my friends Century Center Console 26 footer last weekend. He has 2 Yamaha 150 4 Strokes on there, and that thing will roll. You can't even hardly hear the engines. Just the water from the Props and the Wind.

Very very quiet, I was really impressed as I have only been on Loud Outboard boats.

Bryan
 

Cricket Too

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May 14, 2003
Messages
1,732
Re: Which one is the quiter Outboard engine??

I doubt your gonna find any real difference between an E-tec and any 4 stroke, when it comes to noise.

The argument always goes the way of maintenance on these things. The way I look at it, even one more piece of maintenance is more maintenance.

And 4 strokes require more maintenance, that's it, there's no argument there.

It's all a matter of opinion, there really is no better or right or wrong technology.

But in my opinion, I just don't see buying a bigger, bulkier, heavier outboard with 5 times as many moving parts, and then spinning it at 5500 RPM, with every other stroke not making any power. What is the advantage??

Why not buy the one that is lighter, provides more low end torque, makes power on Every stroke and doesn't wast any strokes, requires less maintenance ( refuse to believe any engine requires none), is just as quiet and all at the same time provides equal if not better fuel economy??

Just the way I look at it. If I could figure out a way to make a 2 stroke get the same economy as a 4 stroke in my truck, then I'd be running a 2 stroke in it, that way I could burn the oil instead of just leaking it on my driveway, haha.
 
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