4 stroke fuel mileage vs 2 stroke?

[tabasco_joe]

When I upgraded my fresh water fishing boat a couple years ago I bought a new 4 stroke engine.  My fuel milage doubled over my old 2 stroke.  I'm toying with buying a boat for inshore/coastal salt (21 - 25 footer) and wondered if people were seeing similar gains?  My old 2 stroke was an 1980, not one of the newer 2s.

[mboy]

I believe the newer 2 strokes have better mileage then the old 2 strokes, but the 4 should be more miserly.

[IrishAyes]

I just replaced the motor on my boat.  Here is what I have found.

My boat: 1994 Parker Sport Cabin.
Old motor: 1994 Yamaha 2-stroke
New motor: model year (manufactured 2005  Yamaha 4-stroke

old figures: cruise at 4500 RPMs. GPS speed 23 MPH.  Fuel management gauge reading-16 GPH

new figures: cruise at 4000 RPMs. GPS speed 25-27 MPH.  Fuel management gauge reading - 11-12 GPH. 

And I can actually have a conversation when the motor is running.   

[mboy]

When I sea trialed the Sea boss I am closing on this Sunday, the 2003 Johnson Bombardier was SHOCKINGLY quiet.
Me, the owner of the brokerage and the surveyor were like, wow, this thing is quiet for a 2 stroke.
Don't get me wrong, I would get a 4 if I had my choice, but this 2003 2 stroker wasn't what I remember as being typical of a 2 stroke outboard (from years ago).

[hareball]

I just replaced the motor on my boat.  Here is what I have found.

My boat: 1994 Parker Sport Cabin.
Old motor: 1994 Yamaha 2-stroke
New motor: model year (manufactured 2005  Yamaha 4-stroke

old figures: cruise at 4500 RPMs. GPS speed 23 MPH.  Fuel management gauge reading-16 GPH

new figures: cruise at 4000 RPMs. GPS speed 25-27 MPH.  Fuel management gauge reading - 11-12 GPH. 

And I can actually have a conversation when the motor is running.   

not to mention the savings on the 2 stroke oil!

[IrishAyes]

not to mention the savings on the 2 stroke oil!
[/quote]

That is a big plus 

[catfish hunter]

4 strokes are great if you dont want the noise ,I had a 60 hp suzuki on my old boat and it was great on gas but the price of service was more than doubled ,now I have a 150 optimax that gets the same gas milage as my 60 hp and have some more noise and a little smoke {fishermans coffee}and also have to pay for oil but my service is alot less .so in the long run I think I am alot better w/ a 2 stroke

[IrishAyes]

I will be doing much of my own service on the motor.  So I will see savings there.

2-stroke vs 4-stroke?  Something that can be debated all day.  Which is better?  Which is better, Ford, GM, Chrysler.  It all comes down to what you like.  Neither one will be the wrong choice, if that's the one you like.

[Capt. Bud]

I agree with Catfish.  You can't compare the old two stroke carburetor engines to the new two stroke Optimax engines.  The four strokes have their advantages but so do the new two strokes.  Sure the four strokes are quieter at idle but while running their have about the same noise level.  Sure you have the cost of oil with the two strokes but when you compare the added cost of what the four strokes are to buy and the increased maintainance cost, over time, it almost become a wash.  I also fine that the fuel consumption is close to the same.  It all become a matter of choice.  They all can break down and it always happens after the warrantee is up.