2 stroke vs 4

[Rasputin22]

Yamaha 9.9/15 2 stroke will run forever and probably the reason they can still be had in some markets. And as mentioned above they can be sorted out after a dunking in no time... Ask me how I know

 

[kent_island_sailor]

With these little non-injected 2 strokes you might as well just pour the mixing oil directly into the water. If you're comfortable doing that then do it. You're announcing to the world and the other people at the dinghy dock that you care only about yourself and not the waters we sail in.
There was a news video where they ran a small two stroke in some Lake Tahoe water in a clear tank for a few seconds, it was disgusting what it did to the water. Afterwards they wouldn't let them pour the water back in to the lake! (this was before the ban).
Several years ago I got in a bit of a shit storm here for confessing that I use the bucket and chuck or direct deposit method for disposing of shit on my little head-less F242 while cruising in remote areas. I don't believe there is any comparison between the damage done by the odd turd in open water versus the oil pollution from 2 smokes- that smoke is unburned oil/fuel and goes straight into the water.

So you are illegally dumping sewage and don't like my legal engines? What do you suggest I do with them? Are you proposing to buy them from me?

 

[eastbay]

I'm sorry my friend but just like dumping used motor oil down the storm drain or in the vacant lot is no longer done by anyone of conscience, in my opinion 2 strokes are the same (not the direct injection kind...).
I try to live with myself for the odd turd in a million square miles of water. I wouldn't and couldn't in a closed harbor or cove.
What to do with them? I don't know, interesting problem.

 

[kiwin]

BLACK BASS 8

Single-cylinder 165 cc outboard motor. Compact, silent and light with very low fuel consumption, it is ideal for tenders and as an inseparable companion for successful fishing time. Something new in this season for those who is looking for a small outboard motor …

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[221J]

Speed costs money, how fast do you want to go

At least 20 knots please.

 

[lom]

Yamaha 9.9/15 2 stroke will run forever and probably the reason they can still be had in some markets. And as mentioned above they can be sorted out after a dunking in no time... Ask me how I know

This is a fear of mine and we we don't want one over 60 or so pounds. We don't have a davit to lift it up and we don't have a fancy swim step. A halyard will do though hopefully pretty well

 

[lom]

Speed costs money, how fast do you want to go
My ancient USED engines cost over a grand each, so even used speed is not cheap.
As for the engine weight, there are usually 2 or 3 different horsepower levels per block, so you can compare weights and get the most powerful at the same weight

This is why people are changing carburetors and stuff on these lower hp outboards that share blocks with higher ones no?

 

[221J]

This is a fear of mine and we we don't want one over 60 or so pounds. We don't have a davit to lift it up and we don't have a fancy swim step. A halyard will do though hopefully pretty well

Confirmed. I use a halyard on my 98 pound outboard and it is super easy. The engine has a lifting eye under the cover.

 

[lom]

This is why people are changing carburetors and stuff on these lower hp outboards that share blocks with higher ones no?

Perfect! And awesome about the lifting eye I didn't even think about that. Otherwise we can devise some straps. We even have a spin halyard on a rotating block up top so we won't pull the halyard off the scheeve lifting from the beam of the boat

 

[bgytr]

If it's not a planing dinghy, and you don't need to motor for hours on end, electric.

I have an epropulsion on my dinghy and love it. 10 foot avon inflatable, inflatable floor (not hard bottom) with wood transom on which the motor mounts. Cruises at about 4+ knots, quiet, no gas issues, will go for over an hour at full throttle, and quite a bit longer if I throttle back to about 3/4 throttle. I've never had it run out of juice on me so I can't testify as to how far it will go.

 

[kinardly]

Here in the PRC (California), it’s electric or 4 stroke. I’m good with that. But a small 4 stroke has a carb and that means our ethanol laced fuel will screw it up in about two weeks time if left in the engine. So I would advise trying to live with the shortcomings of electric if you come down here. Final consideration; what’s the largest and heaviest motor you can lift on or off you dinghy to the stern rail mount while rocking around at anchor? For me the six is the absolute limit.

 

[221J]

I have an epropulsion on my dinghy and love it. 10 foot avon inflatable, inflatable floor (not hard bottom) with wood transom on which the motor mounts. Cruises at about 4+ knots, quiet, no gas issues, will go for over an hour at full throttle, and quite a bit longer if I throttle back to about 3/4 throttle. I've never had it run out of juice on me so I can't testify as to how far it will go.

At the other end of the spectrum is my dinghy. 12 foot Achilles inflatable, with an inflatable floor like bgytr. 20 hp 4 stroke. Goes 20 with 4 adults, rated for 6 passengers. Range on a 3 gallon tank is maybe 30 miles. Can power into 30 knots if the waves aren't huge and is remarkably dry. Fits in the lazarette (that's where the inflatable floor comes into play). Can refuel at about 145,000 locations in the US. It's like a small Whaler. I drive to harbors 6 miles away but not across open ocean. It's a keeper.

 

[climenuts]

I'm on the electric bandwagon but I'm skeptical about the 2-stroke pollution claims.

Is the 2-stroke pollution really that much worse than other engine types? I wouldn't drink the water but I'm convinced the tank tests show turbidity and bubbles more than actual pollutants. Put a Detroit Diesel in a tank and see what the water looks like... Even my 13hp Yanmar makes a mess if it idles for too long.

With synthetic 2-stroke oil at 100:1 my last outboard had no visible smoke after start and didn't look anything like these tank tests when I flushed with fresh water in a garbage bin. No sheen and no gritty shit floating around. If I mixed 20:1 with shit oil and let it idle all day like my grandpa... Yeah it would make a big fucking mess.

 

[Jim in Halifax]

This little guy weighs 29 pounds

Suzuki 2.5 HP DF2.5S5 Outboard Motor

Suzuki's 2.5hp model DF2.5S5 outboard motor is a perfect choice for square stern canoes, small tenders and inflatables as well as other small craft. At only 29 lbs, it's the lightest 4-stroke Suzuki outboard ever built.

onlineoutboards.com

I've had one of those little Suzukis for about 15 years. Tried drowning it, dropping it, baking it in the sun, spooling fishing line with the prop...just can't kill it. And that sucker still starts on the first or second pull.

 

[TJSoCal]

Perfect! And awesome about the lifting eye I didn't even think about that. Otherwise we can devise some straps. We even have a spin halyard on a rotating block up top so we won't pull the halyard off the scheeve lifting from the beam of the boat

Instructions for a very simple DIY lifting harness. They made it from webbing but I expect it could just as easily be fashioned from some line.

 

[kent_island_sailor]

I'm sorry my friend but just like dumping used motor oil down the storm drain or in the vacant lot is no longer done by anyone of conscience, in my opinion 2 strokes are the same (not the direct injection kind...).
I try to live with myself for the odd turd in a million square miles of water. I wouldn't and couldn't in a closed harbor or cove.
What to do with them? I don't know, interesting problem.

Do you think anyone has ever put a good 2-stroke engine in a dumpster? They get sold on to other people who use them instead of you.

 

[Max Rockatansky]

What I have not seen is consideration given to the idea of extra weight aboard and the main mother ship engine working harder and going slower with the burden. The cruising boat is really a system.

 

[Ajax]

What I have not seen is consideration given to the idea of extra weight aboard and the main mother ship engine working harder and going slower with the burden. The cruising boat is really a system.

Trolling motor- 15lbs.
100ah lithium battery- 24lbs.

 

[lom]

What I have not seen is consideration given to the idea of extra weight aboard and the main mother ship engine working harder and going slower with the burden. The cruising boat is really a system.

That's an interesting consideration actually. Like Ajax said, it's probably lighter than some batteries, but an 9.8hp 2 stroke is roughly 60lbs, a 5hp 4 strokeis roughly 60lbs, and we have 2x 200ah lithium batteries that weigh 45lbs each.

I mean one could always go smaller for weight reduction, but then the same question comes up, if your weight limit is x for sailing performance, you can get more power for weight x with a 2 strike.... But are the trade offs worth it and are the trade offs the same when cruising internationally

 

[Max Rockatansky]

If cruising to any degree, one will find that the very low powered propulsion devices will become problematic.

Not all harbors are nearby, calm and have provision near. And some people spearfish and explore which can take miles of distance. And catch crap weather or just plain winter trades.

It was my experience that the 8hp would not get on plane if we had a load. That made for some let’s say less than optimal forays.

F.ex: Caught a squall coming back to the boat one day, that would have been frankly nightmarish if we had been carrying a provision load.

Preferred anchorages would by necessity not be remote, or else bound to take the mothership in at great inconvenience, and two bigger diesels chugging away. I have no trouble finding 2-stroke oil, but I bet finding parts for an electric motor will be expensive to impossible. For the weight, no electric that I know of will have the ass to get me through weather.

The general wisdom seems to be ‘get the biggest dinghy you can,’ but I think I’ve found my best happy medium. Bear in mind, people on islands use outboards, you know. YMMV