2 Cycle Outboard for Dinghy

[Hank Kivett]

I presently have an older 5 hp 2 cycle outboard that i have been using for my inflatable and because of the weight i have been looking for a replacement that is smaller and lighter for easy of handling.. I have just read from a review where one person said in there review of this motor that the EPA has a law now that outlaws new 2 cycle motors...does anyone know of such ruling..

[HopCar]

I don't think they actually banned two cycle outboards. They just set emission standards that no engine manufacture can meet in small engines. They are still available for sale outside of the USA.

[northoceanbeach]

I think they're banned in Europe, or something I remember hearing how they were envious we in the US could still get them at all. I'm sure one of our European members will know.

I just bought one, for the reason of weight. My four stroke on my inflatable dignu was too heavy. I havent seen any new two strokes for sale, I'm sure the previous poster was right in that they aren't banned for manufacture but can't meet emissions standards.

The do seem to be slowly banning them from more and more bodies of water, and I'm not sure I'm opposed to that, so far it is mostly like, pristine mountain lakes.

They're probably best on big lakes like Michigan or salt water, because they do pollute a lot, but at the same time for a dinghy they have a lot of advantages.

How heavy was your 5? The four I just got is around forty pounds, less I think...35? I think that's great. You can step down again and get really light and four stroke four. 25 pound but only 2.5 hp. I don't think that's enough.

My friend has a 8 hp Optus that weighs under fifty pounds

[paulajayne]

Not banned in the UK.

Three advantages to them.

1. Weight
2. Can be stowed in any position as no engine oil to leak out.
3. Power to engine size much better.

[FSMike]

Readily available in the Bahamas.

[Hank Kivett]

I hate to have to go buy a 4 cyc...yes you are so right in that you can store it in any position and have an oil slick that requires the supper fund to clean up and oh yes the weight that what i was looking for. I dont use my dinghy that much so an expensive motor is not worth it to me. My old 5 hp must 35 -40 lbs and i was hopeing to get something in the 20 -25 lbs.

[a64pilot]

The four strokes are coming down in weight, and once you get used to a four stroke, you love them, they will idle forever, never smoke and sip fuel, but the do vibrate more and most are heavier.
Now I guess maybe VW could make a two stroke pass emissions?

[Scout 30]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

The four strokes are coming down in weight, and once you get used to a four stroke, you love them, they will idle forever, never smoke and sip fuel, but the do vibrate more and most are heavier.
Now I guess maybe VW could make a two stroke pass emissions?

Here's the new VW diesel outboards that reportedly meet all emission standards:

Klaxon Diesel Outboards Features

[Bulawayo]

They are not banned in the UK but you cannot buy them new.
They do need to be stowed in a particular position as the gearbox oil can leak through otherwise.
Another advantage is the ability to repair just about anywhere as 2-strokes are so easy to work on. Go to just about any third world location and see what the locals prefer.

Originally Posted by paulajayne

Not banned in the UK.

Three advantages to them.

1. Weight
2. Can be stowed in any position as no engine oil to leak out.
3. Power to engine size much better.

[a64pilot]

I had heard Yanmar used to build a Diesel outboard, never heard of another, nor have I ever seen a Yanmar Diesel outboard, but have always wondered why no one built one.
Yes I know they would most likely be heavy, but for those that use outboards to push the big boat, I think they would want a Diesel?

Why did Yanmar stop, no sales?

[Bulawayo]

Probably 'cos big boats tend to have built in engines and also that diesel outboard motors are really heavy. They might be fuel efficient but strapping a very heavy engine onto the transom of your dinghy shall likely excede the capacity. Its a vicious circle of power and weight and the higher manufacturing costs associated with diesel motors. Its not totally dissimilar to diesel motorcycles.

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I had heard Yanmar used to build a Diesel outboard, never heard of another, nor have I ever seen a Yanmar Diesel outboard, but have always wondered why no one built one.
Yes I know they would most likely be heavy, but for those that use outboards to push the big boat, I think they would want a Diesel?

Why did Yanmar stop, no sales?

[bailsout]

Can you get by with an electric 3 hp Torqeedo? I hear great things from owners. Light, quiet, no pollution.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Bulawayo

Its not totally dissimilar to diesel motorcycles.

I was thinking about the big boat, long shaft only, not dinghy.
I hadn't thought about a Diesel motorcycle, I see your point. My biggest dislike of a direct mechanically injected Diesel is they are noisy, hanging off the stern I would assume the noise in the boat would be much less

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

The four strokes are coming down in weight, and once you get used to a four stroke, you love them, they will idle forever, never smoke and sip fuel, but the do vibrate more and most are heavier.
Now I guess maybe VW could make a two stroke pass emissions?

I have a yamaha 4hp 4stroke for my avon rover 2.81 inflatable. It weighs about 75 pounds. I think its pretty heavy. Its a bear to get from the stern rail to the dinghy transom. On the other hand, it sips the fuel (except at WOT), and runs clean.

I'm surprised at posts about 25 and 30 pound outboards...so light!

[Dave22q]

not banned but why continue with the inconvenience of fuel mixing when 4 cycle is inexpensive and widely available? my 2.5 weighs under 40# , is very easy starting and runs well. as for storage, if not in the dinghy it lives on the back rail but when I have laid it flat I got zero oil spillage.