Re: E-Tech or 4 stroke?
Ahoy, snax.
Welcome to iboats.
You will hear that 4 strokes have far too many parts to be as reliable as the simple 2 strokes. That is yet to be proven. DFI 2 strokes have new technology in their complex fuel and oil injection systems and computers, while the EFI technology in the 4 strokes has been refined and perfected in the auto and cycle industry for many years.
The number of carbed 2 stroke outboards that are in regular service after 40-60 years speaks highly of the mechanical reliability of the simple 2 stroke outboard. The questions yet to be answered have to do with the new technology.
Four stroke outboards use both mechanical and engine management technology well proven in other applications, so I am not intimidated by the number of parts. Many modern automobiles stay in service with several hundred thousand miles on them. How many years of outboard service would that amount to?
Weight? Look them up. DFI 2 strokes are not a lot lighter than equivalent 4 strokes, though carbed 2 strokes are a lot lighter than either.
Bottom line? You probably cannot go wrong with any new outboard currently available. I like 4 strokes in anything over about 50HP and old, carbed (OMC) 2 strokes for anything smaller.