How to Choose the Right outboard Engine
How to Choose the Right outboard Engine. Are you looking to buy a new Outboard motors for sale near me for your boat or replace it with a new one? You may be wondering how to choose a suitable outboard engine according to the required requirements. There are many brands of outboard engines for sale, from Yamaha, Evinrude, Honda, Mercury, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Parsun, Tohatsu, Matsumoto, and many others. They offer each other a variety of options, from 2 strokes to 4 strokes, from direct fuel injection to electronic fuel injection. Is a larger outboard motor better? Here are some considerations to keep in mind when you are choosing an outboard motor for your boat.
1. Understand the difference between 2-stroke and 4-stroke outboards
When it comes to the time in the past, the 2-stroke outboard motor was more like an outboard because traditionally, the 2-stroke outboard engine was very light and had good throttle response. While the 4 stroke engine offers cleaner and smoother performance. As environmental standards have changed and seafarers are looking for a clean and efficient engine, in today’s modern era outboard motors have evolved – narrowing the difference between 2 strokes and 4 stroke outboard motors.
-
2 Stroke Outboards
Most 2 stroke outboards burn a mixture of gasoline and oil. In the past, the carburetor or injector introduced the mixture into the engine cylinder via the intake valve. However, this causes a lot of fuel to escape, as the exhaust valve remains open during this process. However, today’s 2-stroke outboard motors have been designed to prevent this kind of fuel loss.
-
4 Stroke Outboards
4 stroke outboard motors are similar to those of your car in that they have a cylinder that burns gasoline and a separate system for lubricating the engine with oil. The pickup and discharge occur at different times as the piston moves, meaning that the 4 strokes outboard motor does not offer as much power as the 2 stroke engine. The modern fuel injection system however has led to better fuel economy for the 4 stroke engine while the manufacturer has upgraded the engine to be more powerful.
Broadly speaking, the technical differences and differences between 2 stroke and 4 stroke outboard engines are that the 4 stroke outboard motor works like the engine in a car, burning gasoline straight in the cylinder, circulating lubricating oil through a separate system. Oil and gas do not mix unless there is interference. The 2 strokes outboard engine, on the other hand, burns a mixture of gas and oil.
-
Evinrude Direct Injection Two-Stroke Outboards
The traditional 2 strokes outboard engine moves its fuel oil-gas mixture with the carburetor or injector into the cylinder via the intake valve. During this combustion, the exhaust valve also opens, and up to 30 percent of the fuel escapes without burning. Unlike the modern 2-stroke direct-fuel injection (DFI) engine, fuel is sprayed into the cylinder with precise timing while the piston covers the exhaust valve. No fuel is lost. (On a 4-stroke outboard motor, thanks to 4-stroke pistons per cycle, the intake and exhaust occur at different times.) DFI’s 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines produce significantly better fuel economy than the typical 2-stroke, as they are computer-driven and burn almost any fuel.
2. Understand How Fuel Injection Works on Outboards
According to Discover Boating, many manufacturers are now building outboard engines that are more fuel-efficient and lower emissions – thanks to modern fuel injection systems.
Direct injection two-stroke outboards
Direct Fuel Injection (DFI) / Direct Fuel Injection
Direct Fuel Injection (DFI) injects the fuel mixture into the cylinder while the piston covers the exhaust valve. This prevents the loss of fuel that occurred with older engines. DFI is available in 2 strokes and 4 stroke engines. They use less fuel, increase engine power, and have low emissions. They also require no fuel priming and are quick to get started.
Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) / Electronic Fuel Injection
An engine with an Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) system allows the fuel mixture to be injected into the air of each cylinder before it reaches the intake valve. The fuel spray then cools the intake valve, increasing evaporation before it reaches the combustion chamber. The mixture of fuel and air is then ignited by a spark plug. These Electronic Fuel-injected outboard engines do not require fuel priming, and they have low emissions. They are also quick to start and have lower fuel consumption without sacrificing performance.
Differences in Performance Between 2 Stroke and 4 Stroke Engines
DFI 2 is no lighter than 4 strokes with the same power.
The 4-stroke outboard engine is quieter than the 2-stroke, but as technology has evolved this distinction has started to shrink.
The 2 stroke outboard engines generally provide a stronger hole shot.
Evinrude DF 2-stroke outboard engine
I inject fuel 2x faster than a standard direct injection, even adjusting fuel delivery and the oil-gas mixture as needed. They are as smooth and almost silent as a 4 stroke engine while maintaining the more traditional 2 stroke power.
3. Think about the Power Your Boat Needs
Let’s keep it as simple as possible because it’s usually a good idea to get an outboard engine with the optimal horsepower you will get through your boat manufacturer’s recommendations. While more horsepower certainly means more speed, it will also help to handle at slower speeds or in rougher water. It is also an important point to stay safe and understand how you use the power of the outboard 2 strokes or 4 stroke engine in your boat.
While a trial run may seem great, here you can test how much power it takes to propel the boat with the number of people you expect for the next adventure. You may want something with more power if you have several people or do water activities like towing sports or carrying lots of food and supplies on the boat.
4. Are 2/3 Outboards Better Than 1?
You will primarily see two or even three outboard engines on one boat. In most cases, you can bet they have been installed for peace of mind for seafarers the thought of losing an engine in the middle of the high seas. The use of 2 outboard motors also gets a fair amount of noise as it makes docking an easier task, thanks to the engine which has props that rotate in the opposite direction. Installing more than 1 engine can also mean for those who want different levels of acceleration speed as well as more power for an experience that is second to none.
Price of Yamaha Evinrude Outboards
But for protection against unforeseen events, and for simpler dockside steering, you need to pay a lot more money. On the other hand, duplicate controls and generally control the installation of the outboard engine on your boat.
5. Size of the outboard motor and boat
The most important factor to consider is the size of the outboard engine that is right for your size. Most boats will come with a guide on their recommended engine size for your boat which will be selected based on the safe horsepower and total weight limit of your boat. It is very important for you to pay close attention to this as if you were using an outboard engine with too much horsepower.
You could end up tipping your boat and endangering yourself and the other passengers on the boat.
Before you decide which outboard engine size you want to buy, it is necessary to know the size of your boat. Your boat manufacturer has all the information on how many passengers can safely leave. This information can be used to identify the motor size you will need.
The outboard engine rating provided on your boat/boat can be used as a basic guide.
With this knowledge of outboard engines, you can be better prepared to choose the right outboard motor for your boat.
