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Outboard Motor Secrets - book recommendation

For those of you inclined towards boats with 2-stroke, internal-combustion outboard motors,
I can highly recommend the following...

"The Complete Guide To Outbard Engines," by John Fleming
ISBN 1-892216-31-0

In what seems an odd twist, he makes a great case for the 2-stroke engine. I know we're all taught to be eco-green warriors, and that only 4-strokes measure up anymore.
But he draws a comparison between the two that actually FAVORS the MODERN, 2-stroke in terms of efficiency, fuel economy and emissions parity.

There are several distinct dis-advantages to 4-strokes, in fact, which he points out. All very fascinating to my techno-gadgetry mind.

I suggest you get this book if you own a 2-stroke outboard, expect to, or are simply interested in boaty, motory things.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Slip Sinker on June 18, 2016 at 11:31am

just me personally i couldn't wait to upgrade to a four stroker... for one 2-cycles were so messy on the water or environment. i hated to mix oil and gas... i love the fuel economy on the 4 stroke.

currently I'm shopping for an electric start 15hp two cycle isn't even available. is the author only talking older motors?

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Permalink Reply by David, aka, "McScruff" on June 18, 2016 at 4:57pm

Essentially yes because the book is 15 years old.
Now if you hang around boat ramps, much, you still see a lot of older 2-strokes.
It's for those people I posted this.

The low end market is being overtaken by the 4 strokes, as you note, for a simple reason: it's impractical to include the technology that makes 2-strokes as good as they can be, in the under 50 up mills.
In the future I expect the only place you'll see 2-strikes is in the 150hp and up, high performance market.

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Permalink Reply by David, aka, "McScruff" on June 18, 2016 at 5:47pm

The book is also a huge boon to the motorheads understanding of the subtleties of the 2-stroke outboard's operation.
They came first, of course, and the 4-stroke outboard owes much to the principles and practices established in 2-strokes.
I know I was ignorant to much of this until I got into this book. But I grasp more about the workings of BOTH types, now, than I ever suspected was there.
I love engines of all kinds, and I'm gaining a new appreciation for the outboard in this experience.

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Permalink Reply by Slip Sinker on June 19, 2016 at 6:38am

i really miss my 1968 Mercury 9.8hp... it used to go thru a water pump a season... after awhile they quit stocking parts for them so i had to shelve the motor