best of the best outboards

[juggernaut]

I have had the same boat with carby 2 strokes, DFI 2 strokes, and 4 strokes, so I think I might have a pretty good idea on how the different operating systems compare, don't care if it's "snotty" or not, and by far the best to own and operate are the 4 strokes. The carby 2 strokes were OK, but you had to "fiddle" with the choke and so on, especially if the boat wasn't used for a while, didn't like trolling much either, the DFI 2 strokes were OK, but still suffered with the die out on the back of a swell, requiring a handful of throttle, then the boat would just take off, requiring pulling back again, then on again, the 4 strokes do not suffer anywhere near as much in this regard, sure they die off a bit, but seem to just "plod" along at a very steady speed, I don't care about torque curves or theories, it's simply how it is! No brands are mentioned on purpose, as this is not a brand trumpet blowing exercise, and don't worry about crossing bars and stuff, talk like that should be confined to bars, in the pub!

Cheers for that Noelm. I note from your comments that the 4 strokes still suffer on the back of a swell albeit not as much. Which backs up my experience with petrol motors in boats generally.

[juggernaut]

You have 2 496's ? ...no wonder you are called Juggernaut. ..

No......this is why I'm called juggernaut - although I sold it a month or so back - I love boats more than cars these days. . Might have to change my name to MT Pockets .

[scottar]

I have had the same boat with carby 2 strokes, DFI 2 strokes, and 4 strokes, so I think I might have a pretty good idea on how the different operating systems compare, don't care if it's "snotty" or not, and by far the best to own and operate are the 4 strokes. The carby 2 strokes were OK, but you had to "fiddle" with the choke and so on, especially if the boat wasn't used for a while, didn't like trolling much either, the DFI 2 strokes were OK, but still suffered with the die out on the back of a swell, requiring a handful of throttle, then the boat would just take off, requiring pulling back again, then on again, the 4 strokes do not suffer anywhere near as much in this regard, sure they die off a bit, but seem to just "plod" along at a very steady speed, I don't care about torque curves or theories, it's simply how it is! No brands are mentioned on purpose, as this is not a brand trumpet blowing exercise, and don't worry about crossing bars and stuff, talk like that should be confined to bars, in the pub!

Pretty much on the money Noel. You can get better results out of the old gen DI two strokes in these conditions but the set up of the boat from my experience is critical. The 4 stroke is the "easiest" to drive as a general rule. That said, from my limited use of the G2 - apart from the acceleration when you throw the handle forward, it is the most 4 stroke like, two stroke engine I have run. It performed quite happily with gentle application of power and seemed quite happy to sit at virtually any rpm I wished without the tendency to climb out of the hole and run away like the older engines - all the while using half the fuel my gen 1 E-Tec was running side by side. I haven't had the opportunity to run one in swell offshore but if the opportunity presents I will certainly jump at it.

[Noelm]

Yes, all motors "drop off" going uphill, but 2 strokes more so, and to make it worse, they have a very distinct power band, drop below it, and you just die, grab some throttle, hit the band, and it's hang on time, so you pull back, die again, DI 2 strokes are an improvement for sure, but nowhere near as good as a 4 stroke, why is anyone's guess, but in a real world experience it's true.

[Andy56]

Now Noelm, I want to know, are you basing your judgements on old style di 2 stroke or the new etec gen2? Because you keep refering to 2s carby in any reference you make. This is deceiving as etec gen 2 are two generations removed from that type of engine.
Now guys I am not that gullible to the PR about engines going under, but until Mercury, Yamaha, Suzuki or any other brand can put up a video showing the reverse, there may be some truth to the video. Lots of scepticism for sure, but nothing to disprove either.
Any way, I have said my bit. Others can make up their own minds. I don't have any allegiance to any brand because unless I win the lottery this year, I will probably never own one. Doesn't mean I can't look at ferraris in the window.

[Noelm]

AH, no, read the part where I refer to three different types, including a DFI! I do concede that I have never even seen a gen 2 let alone compared one to something else, but, I also say that I am not "bagging" one either, just my personal experience on what I prefer. I do however very rarely believe advertising hype, or most salesmen at boat shows and the like, but that's just me, I tend to be a cynical old fart!

[juggernaut]

Noel, out of interest what was the brand and year of the outboards in your mentioned in your comparison.

[gofishin]

A recent top speed run (she ain't fast) on a nice day. The rpm overspeed alarms were going off in this run. WOT rpm for these motors is in the range of 4,200 to 4,600 rpm - so i don't think I'm overpropped.

Peak torque at 3,200rpm and max power (370hp each) at 4,600rpm

Sounds like you may even be underpropped. Regardless, just because a prop reaches recommended WOT means nothing - it's what is happening in the middle ranges which is important... but that is not what this thread is about.

Cheers for that Noelm. I note from your comments that the 4 strokes still suffer on the back of a swell albeit not as much. Which backs up my experience with petrol motors in boats generally.

See above comment, could be more about propping than you think! But that is not what this thread is about...


EPA Data
Had a look at the website last night and note that they have changed the format in recent years. They don't provide Torque figures any more, nor engine models that make any sense (or not that i can see). WT? That's a bugger!

[koastal]

The new 3.0 lt Mercurys hold thier rpm, up hill and down dale.

Least they do in my boat.

[koastal]

No......this is why I'm called juggernaut - although I sold it a month or so back - I love boats more than cars these days. . Might have to change my name to MT Pockets .

Nice engine bay -What is that motor ? RB30 ? - Set up for trackwork ?
I rotate between cars boats and golf.

Had a few evos for trackdays but am currently enjoying a M2 bmw

[juggernaut]

Nice engine bay -What is that motor ? RB30 ? - Set up for trackwork ?
I rotate between cars boats and golf.

Had a few evos for trackdays but am currently enjoying a M2 bmw

S15, SR20 setup for track work.

[juggernaut]

The new 3.0 lt Mercurys hold thier rpm, up hill and down dale.

Least they do in my boat.

I think the latest Mercruisers with DTS have some sort of cruise control don't they?

[juggernaut]

Sounds like you may even be underpropped. Regardless, just because a prop reaches recommended WOT means nothing - it's what is happening in the middle ranges which is important... but that is not what this thread is about.

Yes probably under propped - I was actually doing some testing in the run I posted to get some rpm data for prop manufacturers. Mid range is great and in all honestly the boat doesn't really flinch between lightly loaded to fully loaded. Generally in swells up to 2.5 - 3 metres the mercruisers may only drop 100 to 150rpm. But in the bigger rollers, it may drop up to 300 - 400rpm. Not that I really venture out in big stuff intentionally - but its an observation. In all honestly the big mercruisers have big torque, been very reliable are next best thing to a diesel.

With regard to the friends 60 hp boats - one is intentionally underpropped to give it more holeshot. With the other friends boat my brother was think of buying, but was dismayed by the holeshot and walked away from the deal. The holeshot is important because he drops a few cray pots in around reef and needs to avoid any breakers. Both boats are ali around the 4.7 metre mark and were lightly loaded. My brother decided to just keep on using his smaller Yammy 2 stroke on a Quinny 4.5 metre dingy for the task as it had more mid-range punch.

The purpose of my posts was to hone in on a comment you made being on and off the throttle with 2 strokes. The point is that no motors are immune and all motors suffer this problem in seas to some extent. Moreover, that the comparisons made were generally when going from an older generation 2 stroke to a modern generation 4 stroke in regards to performance in seas.

I personally can't comment - but will be able to re 2 strokes in seas when I finish tidying up my late brothers 5 metre Quinny with a Johnson 90 2 stroke.

I also have a Yammy 6hp 2 stroke (which I love) on an inflatable - but not sure if that counts as a boat.

[up the creek]

A recent top speed run (she ain't fast) on a nice day. The rpm overspeed alarms were going off in this run. WOT rpm for these motors is in the range of 4,200 to 4,600 rpm - so i don't think I'm overpropped.

Peak torque at 3,200rpm and max power (370hp each) at 4,600rpm

nice bro it may not as you say rev hard but you got plenty of reliable ponies there...

[Si]

Honda for me in the 50hp range. I re powered last year. Researched it quite a bit. Seller was a factor though but the motor and engineering rules