Two Stroke vs. Four Stroke Outboard Motors

The outboard motor is basically a self-reliant engine and has a propeller connected to the outside of a boat’s stern. There are two kinds of outboard motors available that is two-stroke and four-stroke. There are several factors to consider while finalizing that which engine type is better. Usually the boat owner decides about it. Two Stroke vs. Four Stroke Outboard Motors Definition: A two-stroke engine is actually a combustion engine which uses two movements of the engine’s piston to complete the thermodynamic cycle which employ heat to work. On the other hand a four-stroke engine accomplishes the same task but it finishes the cycle in four-strokes rather than two. Background: Both types of engines (i.e. two stroke and four stroke) have their own positive as well as negative points. The majority vehicles (about 75 percent) have four-stroke engines. To select among these choices first think that for which purpose you want to use the engine. In case if you need to travel a long distance or for racing a two-stroke engine will be best option for you. But, if you want to use your boat particularly for leisure purposes, a four-stroke engine will best suit you. Two-Stroke: Usually two-stroke engines are lighter in weight, faster and offer better acceleration as well. Due to this reason, they normally produce more smoke plus haze. The cost of two-stroke’s is typically less than the four-stroke, although it requires gasoline mixed with oil, which thus demands more costs. Two-strokes have simple designs that’s why are easier to repair. As compared to four-stroke, they are noisier. If we talk about certain occasions for instance for entertaining purposes your best option would be four-stroke engine but in case if you are going to use your boat on seasonal basis, two-stroke are appropriate for you if they are not using them for a long time period. For instance if your boat sits in the marina and remain unused there for about six months out of the year, you must obtain a four-stroke engine. Four-Stroke: Now let us talk about Four-stroke engines which are slightly quiet and provide great gas mileage as well. Four-stroke engines are expensive and design wise complicated, which usually increases the repair costs as well. Though they are more reliable but still they are comparatively new, and hence required more professional mechanic skills to repair them. For this reason, the majority new mechanics are taught to work on the four-stroke engines. Another important that must be discussed here is that some boat bodies are damaged by water with two-stroke engine. But still the four-stroke can work anywhere in any condition. Conclusion: The two-stroke engine is a disappearing type. With the passage of time the four-stroke engine is getting improvements in its performance and efficiency, plus lots of mechanics are trained to work on them, thus four-stroke engine will finally replace the two-stroke version on the whole. As a result two-stroke motors will be available there only on an exceptional order base.