Most fuel efficient 2 stroke

cclements716 · Jan 28, 2012

Looking into buying a 225, 250, or 275. It's going on a 23ft center console. The boat currently has a ficht motor and is running great but before any problems occur I would rather upgrade. Which one will burn the least besides a four stroke. Looking mainly at Yamaha because of their reliability but open to all brands. What are your thoughts, opinions, and experiences?

JB · Jan 28, 2012

Re: Most fuel efficient 2 stroke

Evinrude E-TEC is probably best. Yammy HPDI would also be a good choice.

Chris1956 · Jan 28, 2012

Re: Most fuel efficient 2 stroke

Direct Injection 2 cycle motors and 4 cycle motors are most fuel efficient. I think all the major brands are probably about the same at this point in time. So do you like white, black or grey?

TOHATSU GURU · Jan 28, 2012

Re: Most fuel efficient 2 stroke

JB said:
Evinrude E-TEC is probably best. Yammy HPDI would also be a good choice.

Ditto.

Bamaman1 · Jan 28, 2012

Re: Most fuel efficient 2 stroke

Go with the Merc 200 hp Pro XS (Optimax) for slightly over $12K (without controls or prep.) With the Pro XS engines, you can get away with a smaller engine because their horsepower is about 10% underrated. The 250 hp is substantially more expensive @ about $4K higher.

Merc Pro XS's are actually a very good values in outboard motors. The only drawback is not fuel mileage--but the cost of their high line outboard motor oil. In case you have not noticed, all oil products are up dramatically.

The Rooster · Jan 30, 2012

Re: Most fuel efficient 2 stroke

Chris1956 said:
Direct Injection 2 cycle motors and 4 cycle motors are most fuel efficient. I think all the major brands are probably about the same at this point in time. So do you like white, black or grey?

I'd have to agree w/ Chris. They are all so close these days. Last two boats we've had Merc. Optimax 200 - 250 Pro XS engines. Both ran very strong, were fuel efficient for what they are, came w/ 5 yr warranties, and sipped oil. They are "NOT" the most quiet engines around, but not intrusive to us. Honestly though, if that big "Ficht" engine is running strong, I'd say keep. It's a much cheaper alternative in the long run. Good luck !!!

5150abf · Jan 31, 2012

Re: Most fuel efficient 2 stroke

I would think it would be kind of a draw, you would have to run the smaller engine harder to get the same speed as a bigger engine at a lower rpm using less gas so in the end it would be about the same either way, I have nothing but my twisted logic to back that up but it makes sense to me.

You have to factor in cost and how close the dealer is too, if you have to drag it 1 1/2 hours to have it worked on any gas you saved on the boat is now gone getting it fixxed and if you can get one for $1500 less than another that is alot of gas.

cclements716 · Jan 31, 2012

Re: Most fuel efficient 2 stroke

I have heard something's about the Yamaha hpdi's being garbage. I found a 04 new power head with 30 hours and 350 total for 5500. Seams like a pretty decent deal to me. Are they terrible? Would an ox66 be a more reliable choice?

JB · Feb 1, 2012

Re: Most fuel efficient 2 stroke

I think the national surveys rate Yamaha as the #1 brand for user satisfaction. Of course, any outboard requires care and maintenance to be reliable.

You will hear individual rants about any of them, but I believe they are all pretty reliable.

dingbat · Feb 1, 2012

Re: Most fuel efficient 2 stroke

The 250 and 300 HPDI where problematic to say the least. The OX66 was a lot more reliable but is a gas hog

seahorse5 · Feb 1, 2012

Re: Most fuel efficient 2 stroke

JB said:
I think the national surveys rate Yamaha as the #1 brand for user satisfaction. Of course, any outboard requires care and maintenance to be reliable.

The last JD Power survey had Honda as the #1 4-stroke and Evinrude and the #1 2-stroke low-emission outboard. In customer satisfaction, they were only 1 or 2 points apart, not 10 or 15 points like from years ago.

cclements716 · Feb 1, 2012

Re: Most fuel efficient 2 stroke

Allright. What is the best place to buy a used engine? I have been looking on THT but the majority of what they have is Verado's. I think I am leaning toward an E-Tec or a 250 Yamaha 4 stroke, or Optimax Pro XS 250

cclements716 · Feb 5, 2012

Re: Most fuel efficient 2 stroke

Verado or no verado? I found a good deal on a 05 hpdi 300 and on a 275 verado. The boat it is going on though is pretty light and another owner has the 300 and cant run it at full throttle because the only thing in the water is the prop. His boat looks like a 23ft center console offshore bass boat when he gets on it.

dingbat · Feb 5, 2012

Re: Most fuel efficient 2 stroke

Be advised the the 250 Yammie 4 stroke requires 93 octane fuel.

Most fuel efficient 2 stroke

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