End of 2 strokes?

[GregF]

The Yamaha dealer says Yamaha has stopped making 2 strokes and the other manufacturers are right behind them. I am not sure if they mean Etec and Optimax too but that was the impression I got.
My opinion is they mean old technology 2 stroke which was all Yamaha ever made.
If so there may be some closeout bargains for hard core 2 stroke fans.

[badmoonrising]

I've been hearing it's the end of 2 stokes for years. I guess it had to happen eventually, no way 2 stroke can keep up with cleaner emissions standards.

[Towdaddy]

I was told by a Merc rep at the boat show this winter that the Optis would be phased out over the next 3-4 years. Now that the weight of the four strokes is coming down and the performance differences are going away, I would expect the two strokes to go away due to emission compliance problems.

BTW, when are the next emission reduction laws due to be tightened? 2012?

[Ron Burgundy]

I was just at my marina the other day who are E-Tec dealers. I asked about the price of a fully rigged and installed 90HP, and it was about $9100. Maybe the price will come down if they switch to 4 stroke...

I don't know if it is true, but they claim that the E-Tec has lower emissons that Yamaha 4 strokes.

[HandymanHerb]

???? ever heard of E-Tec, there burning cleaner than most 4's, and I bet there not going anywhere.

[lakerunner696]

My 90 before trade was a little over 8. I hope they are around a long time cause when I wear this one out in 10 years I want another

[dockholiday]

the 2 strokes have come a long way in the last 20 years or so. love the opti's especially since they went dfi.
i am sure the gov an enviro people will be on a campaign to banish the 2 strokes, but I love em. sure would hate to winterize my chain saw and weed eater.
doc

[Thin Ice]

I was just at my marina the other day who are E-Tec dealers. I asked about the price of a fully rigged and installed 90HP, and it was about $9100. Maybe the price will come down if they switch to 4 stroke...

I don't know if it is true, but they claim that the E-Tec has lower emissons that Yamaha 4 strokes.

I just talked to my local E-Tec dealer the other day as well. Im looking to repower from my Merc 60 HP 4 Stroke to an E-Tec 115 HO. They gave me a DVD from E-Tec ( I know, partial to their own brand), but it did state that the E-Tec is quieter, cleaner and lower emmissions than any leading 4 stroke..... not to mention way lighter.

Also, absolutely no maintenance for the first 3 years. And no break-in period...... go WOT right out of the box.

[lakerunner696]

Not quieter but almost than Suzuki. Quieter than a Merc. For a fact

[Thin Ice]

Could be right.... we didnt talk about Suzukis

LakeRunner - How do you like you E-Tec?

[Bamaman]

Yamaha came out with their 200/225/250 horsepower SHO four stroke outboards last year, and they're an incredible product. Somehow they took 100 lbs. out of the motors and they are actually lighter than Mercury Optimax 2 strokes. Performance and fuel mileage is absolutely incredible.

Unfortunately, the tsunami has screwed up parts supplies to the factory in Georgia, and production has been hampered.

Mercury is taking up the slack--and their dealers can now hold prices high until Yamaha can get back cranking them out.

I know four fishermen on the Bassmaster Elite series, and have noticed that the vast majority of fishermen are still using Mercury Optimax 2 strokes. The fishermen tell me that the Evinrudes just will not hold up as well as the Mercury--despite their great warranties and low maintenance schedules. With $100K on the line at every tournament, these guys cannot afford any engine failures.

Pontoon boats are perfectly suited for four stroke outboards. however light weight motors are mandatory. Two strokes are probably here for a few more years, but the technology Yamaha is using is the future of boating. In the meantime, the best prices are on the older generation two stroke outboards with carbs. I also notice a number of year or two old new engines still in dealers' stock. These bargain engines may be missing on some technology and fuel mileage, but $5K less price will buy a lot of gas.

[lakerunner696]

Could be right.... we didnt talk about Suzukis

LakeRunner - How do you like you E-Tec?

I thought nothing could beat a 4 stroke but man I love this little engine. I am over a hundred lb lighter than a 90 merc 4 stroke I had. I get twice the hours on a tank. Only drawback is oil. It aint cheap but I use a gallon to a 100 gallons of gas. I was paying 48 bucks a gallon but found a former OMC dealer that sells a case of 4 gallons for $125.00 for 100/1mix

[Parasympathetic]

I went with a friend last week to pick up her new Lowe Stinger fishing boat. She ordered it with the 75hp Etec. On the test ride, I couldn't believe how quiet it was. The three of us could hold a conversation at 35mph. The wind was a lot louder than the motor and we were only sitting a few feet away from the motor.

When she first cranked it up, it started with just a bump of the starter switch. No choking or fiddling with the controls. Put it in neutral and turn the switch. Smooth idle, no smoke and no shaking. Hole shot was very quick.

And it winterizes itself. You gotta love it.

So LR, being as there is almost nothing to do to it, do you just sit in your lawn chair.....sip on a cold one and just stare at it? (when it's not raining ) )

[GregF]

You don't have to "choke" or "fiddle" with any of the new EFI motors.

The people I know with Etecs love them but they do seem to have some reliability problems on the long haul. That is probably never going to be a problem for the 50-100 an hour a year casual boater but the commercial guys are getting away from them here. The ones that have blown up did it in the 2500-3000 hour range and that was 3 for 3 with 2 different operators. (one had one, the other had 2)

[lakerunner696]

I went with a friend last week to pick up her new Lowe Stinger fishing boat. She ordered it with the 75hp Etec. On the test ride, I couldn't believe how quiet it was. The three of us could hold a conversation at 35mph. The wind was a lot louder than the motor and we were only sitting a few feet away from the motor.

When she first cranked it up, it started with just a bump of the starter switch. No choking or fiddling with the controls. Put it in neutral and turn the switch. Smooth idle, no smoke and no shaking. Hole shot was very quick.

And it winterizes itself. You gotta love it.

So LR, being as there is almost nothing to do to it, do you just sit in your lawn chair.....sip on a cold one and just stare at it? (when it's not raining ) )

Yep and now just waiting for the water to recede. Hopefully week after we can go treasure hunting on the lake. This week is out as our baby gets married next Saturday.
So do you bastards what to see what a real man looks like in a Tux?