Two Stroke Versus Four Stroke - What’s the Difference?

If you are a boat enthusiast, you’ve probably heard about two-stroke and four-stroke boat engines. At first, it seems evident that four-stroke outboards are more powerful and efficient than two-stroke engines. Although, it is not valid in every case.

Both the boat motor types, two-stroke and four-stroke, have their benefits and drawbacks depending on the user’s needs. As technology has evolved in the marine industry, the differences between these boat engine types have become less significant. It has now come down to what you prefer and which type of outboard fits your vessel best.

Here, we will compare two-stroke vs four-stroke outboards to help you decide the right option. It covers characteristics such as fuel economy, speed, weight, reliability, performance and more.

For years, people believed that two-stroke engines are way louder than four-stroke outboards. On the other hand, four-stroke boat motors had no match to two-stroke engines in terms of power. However, in recent times, the line of difference between these two has blurred.

Two-Stroke Outboards

It needs only one piston stroke to complete a whole combustion cycle. A compression stroke followed by an explosion stroke uses previously compressed fuel. Such a motor comes in a simple design, which does not contain valves. Many engineers claim that they are easy to operate. Besides, two-stroke engines have been much lighter than other types of outboards. They even did cost less on the development front.

On the other side, two-stroke engines' critical drawback is that they are not as durable as four-stroke engines. They need a mix of oil & gas to lubricate all system components. Sometimes, this process becomes expensive and challenging to formulate. Also, two-stroke outboards generate more emissions than four-stroke engines and use more gallons of fuel to go the same number of miles as four-strokes.

Four-Stroke Outboards

Compared to a two-stroke, piston completes two strokes to complete an entire combustion cycle in a four-stroke outboard. One compression stroke and one exhaust stroke follow a repeat cycle (return stroke). Although, the spark plug fires only one time after the second revolution. Most of the modern four-stroke engines have top-class technology, which makes them run smoother & quieter. And of course, as mentioned earlier, four-stroke outboards produce fewer emissions, provide outstanding performance and are excellent fuel-efficient compared to two-stroke engines.

While the critical disadvantage of four-stroke boat motors is they are large. They are heavier and are expensive to build than their two-stroke counterparts. You need to regularly change the oil in four-stroke outboards, including the difficult task of fixing it in situations like a motor issue or worn parts. But, brands like Mercury build space-efficient, lightweight, easy-to-maintain models for the next-generation boaters.

Four-Stroke Vs. Two-Stroke – Which is Better?

Most manufacturers already decided to pick up the right option among these, both as Mercury did. If you are an angler taking part in various sportfishing tournaments that need that quick charge in the middle of the water, a powerful & compact two-stroke motor was a good option. In earlier times, the Mercury Optimax Pro XS Two-Stroke Outboards have been very popular. Mercury Marine replaced the Optimax Pro XS product line in 2018 with its new Pro XS FourStrokes. These engines are the game-changers at the FourStroke & TwoStroke market by combining both technologies' advantages. Suppose you are a fisherman looking for a fuel-efficient, high-performance and durable boat engine, then a four-stroke outboard will be perfect.

Conclusion

In case you want any advice, suggestion or comparison before choosing the right outboard for your boat in BC, you can connect with us whenever you want. At Alberni Power & Marine, we provide a wide range of boat engines for sale in Canada, including four-stroke, sterndrive, inboard and jet. Our team of experts will guide you throughout your buying journey and help you make the right investment for your money.