2 stroke vs 4 stroke noise

[allinmygarage]

I am sure this has already been discussed but I had problems finding a thread on the topic of engine noise.

In the range of 30-50 HP are 4 strokes really quieter than 2 strokes? I hear people say it all the time but I have trouble believing why. Can anyone shed light on the noise differences and levels. I am using the motor on a pontoon that is only for cruising around so quieter is definitely the most important thing to me.

My current 1989 28HP Evinrude is way louder than my friends 2008 40HP 4 stroke. Was there a specific year that boat motors started getting a lot quieter?

 

[robert graham]

Re: 2 stroke vs 4 stroke noise

I run a 1999 Yamaha 90HP 2 stroke and at most normal running speeds it seems about as quiet as my brother-in-law's Yamaha 115 4 stroke, but at idle or trolling speeds his 4 stroke is definitely quieter. Same brother-in-law had a 13" Whaler with a Honda 40HP 4 stroke and it was noticeably quiet and smoke free at all speeds. Bottom line, a 4 stroke is probably the best motor for a pontoon boat where you may just be idling around a lot and don't need the noise and smoke to irritate your wife or friends. Good Luck!

 

[Knightgang]

Re: 2 stroke vs 4 stroke noise

Yeah, what R.G. said^^^^

 

[allinmygarage]

Re: 2 stroke vs 4 stroke noise

Yeah I think I will stick to looking at 4 strokes then. Just seems here in MN the 30-50 HP 4 strokes are twice the price for a used one. It will be at idle most of the time so quiet is def the way to go.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: 2 stroke vs 4 stroke noise

You really asked an open ended question.

The 4-stroke5hp Briggs and Stratton outboard is very noisey

The 25,30,40, 50, and 60hp Evinrude E-TEC 2 stroke outboards are for the most part as quiet or quieter at speed than the equivalent 4-strokes. That holds true for the larger models, too.

With the E-TEC engines, you can hold a normal conversation at cruising speed just like you can with the 4 strokes. They are nothing like the traditional 2-strokes in sound, smoke, or smoothness. At dead idle, all the motors are very quiet.

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: 2 stroke vs 4 stroke noise

Me old Black girls really like ta scream......... when they aproach 6,000 RPMs give or take a turn or two.

I must admit that I kinda like me Black girls ta scream when I put the ol' hammer down, (part of the sensation).

'Specially when they scream real loud n' smoke n' BLOW right on by 4 pokes!

Yip Yip Yahoooooooooo I say..........!!!!!

As TG would say: "Yer milage may vary".

Respectfully, JR

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: 2 stroke vs 4 stroke noise

Yeah I think I will stick to looking at 4 strokes then. Just seems here in MN the 30-50 HP 4 strokes are twice the price for a used one. It will be at idle most of the time so quiet is def the way to go.

I have a 60hp Johnson 4 stroke. Idling around you can barely hear the thing run. The no smoke thing is nice too... I'm a firm believer in 4 strokes... You wont be disappointed.... You can also idle all day and it will never load up....

 

[allinmygarage]

Re: 2 stroke vs 4 stroke noise

Sorry if it was an open ended question I guess it is hard to answer and explain what I am looking for.

I am looking for a used (I won't buy new) boat motor between 30-50hp for the pontoon. What are some ways to identify how noisy an engine will be without driving to all of them, starting, and listening to them.

Is there a certain year that 2 strokes started to get quieter?
What is it about the E-Tec that makes it quieter than other 2 strokes of the same age?
Are there 4 strokes in the 30-50hp range to avoid because they are noisier?

I really could care less about a ton of power. I have a speed boat for that need. This thing is really just a glorified booze cruiser As the driver I am right at the back and with the current 2 storke it is basically impossible to hear anyone on the boat.

 

[jevery]

Re: 2 stroke vs 4 stroke noise

The Eight Way 50HP Outboard Shootout has a little data on noise levels. Also Boattest.com publishes numbers. Go to new boat tests and in "type" select outboard. You'll have to register to view the data, but it's free. Most manufacturers don't publish any numbers in their performance reports to back claims about quietness. Suzuki is the only manufacturer that does publish noise data that I'm aware of.

 

[allinmygarage]

Re: 2 stroke vs 4 stroke noise

Sweet Thanks jevery.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 2 stroke vs 4 stroke noise

The Yamaha web site has enough engine performance test data that it will make your eyes bleed. Select any engine (start with a two stroke of a particular hp you are interested in). Then pick a common boat and look at the performance tests. Noise figures are listed. Then look at the data for the same boat with the same HP 4-stroke. You will find that there is really less difference than you are led to believe. The reason 4-strokes "seem" so much quieter is because of the different type of noise. Because noise is different does not mean it is less intense. The 28 HP Johnny/Rudes were very noisy motors for their size so comparing them to anything is a mistake.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 2 stroke vs 4 stroke noise

Who cares about the noise ????
It's all about the wind in your hair and the smell of the 2 stroke oil !!!!

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: 2 stroke vs 4 stroke noise

What was the old saying?

Suckin gas and haulin' ...... chickens?

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: 2 stroke vs 4 stroke noise

The 28 HP Johnny/Rudes were very noisy motors for their size so comparing them to anything is a mistake.

Ain't that the truth.

If you got a 40hp 2 stroke OMC of the same vintage you would hear a big difference in sound. If you can get into a 3 cylinder it would be a little better yet.

I think the main reason motors have gotten quieter is simply a matter of refinement. The market has demanded that outboards become more refined, more reliable and easier to own.

With the advent of direct injection on 2 strokes the refinement has gone way up.

Evinrude started this trend with FICHT, after BRP took over they have taken it to the next level with e-tec.

Other brands have been doing the direct injection thing for a while now also. I would say that any of the direct injected 2-strokes will be so much quiter than you current motor you wouldn't have any issues with carrying a conversation while underway.

 

[cougar1985]

Re: 2 stroke vs 4 stroke noise

i got a 1939 22.5 evinrude with the speed lower unit ,it has a plug at the back of the motor which when removed is suppose to be direct exhaust,should make a video next fall of that baby under full song .its loud enough as is with out the plug removed,cant imagine what it will sound like the other way!

 

[allinmygarage]

Re: 2 stroke vs 4 stroke noise

Wow thanks for all of the responses. It is really nice to hear that the 28hp is particularly loud. Make me feel a little better shopping around for something quieter. I always thought this thing seemed noisy. The pontoon came free with the house and sat for 3 years uncovered, not winterized in MN. I gave it a once over, put it in a trash can, and it fired up immediately and has ran perfectly for 2 years now. I rebuilt all of the pontoon because it was rotted away. Now it works really well but is annoyingly noisy.

Cougar - I will def watch that video.

Silvertip - Thanks for the web site.

As for suckin gas and haulin....chickins - This pontoon is only rated for 50hp so I doubt ill be able to achieve much haulin chickins

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: 2 stroke vs 4 stroke noise

For not a lot of money, you should be able to get a 40-50 hp OMC motor that will be quieter and will hook right up to your existing controls, I believe.

For quite a bit more money you can get a more current direct injected 2-stroke.

If you have the money for that you could probably also get a 4-stroke for about the same.