Generally, when a 2-stroke outboards is mentioned, that refers to an engine with a carburetor, in addition to the difference in the way 2 and 4 stroke engines work. As I understand it, the EPA rules are causing outboard engines with carburetors to be phased out of production. So, what is the future of the 2-cycle engine, especially in the 25 to 50 hp range? Merc has the Optimax, non-carburetor, i.e. direct fuel injected, motor, but a 75 hp is the smallest. That leaves them without a 2-stroke 25 to 60hp 2-stroke. What about Yamaha, will they have direct fuel injected outboards in the 25 to 60hp range? What about Honda or Evenrude? Will someone that knows what is going on help me understand what the future of the 2-strokes are in the mid-range motors? I like the lower weight of a 2-stroke and the lower maintenance costs on average.

etec

I was told in 2003 that normally aspirated 2 strokes are gone. We will either have the direct injection or 4 stroke. I think if the EPA had its way we would be left with the normall aspirated paddle!! The good news according to the tech I talked to was that the injected motors either two or four stroke get a little better mileage.

yamaha will eventually go to strictly 4 stroke engines, all fuel injected.

mercury will be injected with 2 and 4 stroke engines.
etec should follow suit.

that's what i've been hearing anyway.

making a small hp engine, fuel injected and a 4 stroke is NO big deal. Harley Davidson has been doing it...

I think they do get better gas mileage, and that is definitely a plus. On the negative side, regarding the four-strokes, is that they are heavier, they are slow coming up on plane, and they are more expensive to repair.

The Etec and the Optimax are both two-strokes, and DFI (direct fuel injected). They are heavier than the old carb. two-strokes, but at least they are powerful on the hole shot like the carb. two-strokes. I need to learn more about Yamaha, to see if they have a DFI two-stroke, especially in the mid range motors. If so, that would be a good choice. But unless they do, the only choice in the mid range motors may be a four-stroke. That's a shame IMNO. With popular demand for the DFI two-strokes, maybe they will start building them in the mid range sizes in the future. When reading my comments, be aware that I know what Merc makes and does not make. I need to learn more about Evinrude, Yamaha, and some of the others.

Merc is still making the 2 stroke 50,90 and 150 hp models in the carb or EFI line. They are just too popular, proven, and cost effective for them to get rid of before they have to. From there you go to the Optimax Line or the 4 strokes.

I wonder if Merc and Yamaha will follow the Evinrude route and make DFI outboards in the 25-60 HP range.

Lobo69, a couple of dealers told me the EPA granted Mercury the right to continue building a specified number of 2-stroke carb. engines before they have to stop building them. I even talked to Mercury to confirm this. They have recently reached the limit and can no longer build them. When all their mid-range carbburetor 2-strokes are sold, that will be the end of them. They have the OptiMax, which is a 2-stroke with DFI, but a 75hp is the smallest OptiMax made.

I just a minute ago looked at the Evinrude website and see they have the E-Tec 2-stroke engine all the way down to a 25hp. That's great IMHO. Maybe Yamaho will also start building 2-stroke DFI mid-range engines. They have some kind of special carb 2-stroke the make now, but I'm betting it will have to be phased out like all other carb engines.

Ben, Merc is not talking. I haven't called Yamaha, but plan to and will ask them. But, like Mercury, Yamaha has invested in four-stroke technology and is building mid-range four-strokes, so they may plan to phase out the two-strokes.

Like someone said above, E-Tec may become the word.

GCF,
Thanks for the info and clarification. Too bad. those are some simple solid motors.

Mercury is going Four stroke on smaller engines, developing the larger four strokes, and remaining with direct injection on larger engines(Optimax). Yamaha is going all four stroke VERY soon. And Evinrude is obviously remaining direct injection (ETEC)two stroke. There are no two stroke Merc's supposably after January 1st in Carb or EFI versions.

I don't have specs on older four-stroke engines, but someone told me the newer models are getting lighter, which will help if that trend continues. I looked at the weight on a 2009 ETEC engine and was surprised that it is about as heavy as a four-stroke Merc of the same power (Merc 50hp four-stroke, 247 lbs., ETEC 50hp, 240lbs., one version 250lbs.). So, weight of an ETEC is no advantage over a Merc four-stroke. Other than weight, the ETEC still has the advantages of a two-stroke, I assume.

Isn't Yamaha still selling new 2-strokes for 2009? In fact, I've been shopping for a Yammy 50 to repower my boat with and dealers still have them in stock. Haven't heard about them being discontinued either. But I bet it is just a matter of time, though. Just not right away judging from what I've seen recently still available from Yamaha. If the carbed 2-strokes go the way of the dodo bird, that'd be a damned shame....

From what I'm reading and hearing, ALL carb engines are being phased out per EPA rules. Regarding two-stroke vs. four-stroke engines, he Evenrude ETEC and the Merc Optimax are two-stroke engines that will remain in production; they are direct fuel injection two-stroke engines. The Optimax range of hp only goes down to a 75hp, but the ETEC is made in large, medium, and small engines. Again, from what I read and hear, it appears Yamaha is going the four-stroke, direct fuel injection, route. That is, it appears they will phase out their two-stroke engines, but only time will tell.

I thought the reason they wanted to move from 2stroke to 4stroke was not mileage or whatever else performance wise but rather to keep the oil out of the exhaust that winds up in the water.

Eventually I think the 2 stroke will have to go away even with direct injection or whatever they want to call it.