Two stroke motors

[Sparky1]

I am going to buy a big boat a Hatteras maybe but I saw some body say two stroke motors are old and schools don't teach how to work on them now. I hope this is where to ask this question.

Thanks, Leon

 

[MikeP]

Yep, they are old - especially by today's standards when anything made prior to last week is old!

But the beauty of being old is that they are very low tech and subsequently easy to work on and MUUUUCH cheaper to buy parts for. They are darned near bulletproof and will keep running under conditions where new engines would just sign off and leave you drifting.

Here's an example straight from today (at the marina this morning) a 2006 58' (I think) Searay with two 1000+HP Mann Diesels is in the marina with two - count 'em, 2 blown engines. Not under warranty any more because the boat is JUST over one year old (one year warranty on the engs). THe owner will be paying more than 100,000 dollars (ulp) to have them repaired. But since he paid 1.2 million for the boat, I guess 100K isn't all that much. He is trying to sue Searay (this is New York, after all) but basically it doesn't look good for him since the warranty has expired. They explained that he COULD have purchased the extended warranty...The general view as to the problem hinges on some issues with the computerized system.

Let's see, I'm looking though my list of computer-related issues on old DD's and come up with...NONE!

Here's a little more on "new" boats... (I got all these stories today from the local broker) Guy on the south shore bought a new boat in late 05 for 600+k. He put 14 hours on it moving it to the north shore and didn't use it again at all so he put it up for sale last year when it was less than a year old. Last week it sold for 310k. He paid 300k to use a boat for 14 hours. I don't recall the brand which probably doesn't matter anyway.

ANYBODY who isn't wealthy enough to commision a custom yacht is a fool to buy a new boat. They are NOT more reliable than an old boat - perhaps less so - and the severe financial hosing is unbeliveable. I guess it's true, there really is a sucker born every minute!

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Two stroke Detroits are still being manufactured new. It is my understanding that they are still made for the military and some generator contracts. You CAN and will be able to buy parts AND obtain service for as long as any of us will own these boats. In fact, there are probably more of these old DD's out there than any one brand of new engine. Many of these date back to the 1930's.

I still own several of them in older construction equipment and they are usually more reliable than the new stuff. They are, of course, louder and less efficient than the new stuff as well. Don't be persuaded by someone selling you the "new is better" line. If you gave me the option of riding offshore in an unknown boat that had new electronic diesels or the older mechanical 2 or 4 stroke engines, I'd jump aboard the latter. I personally really like the older Cummins best, but that is just based on my experience with trucks, not marine engines.

 

[JKC]

You may want to read this article by David Pascoe. I found it very informative.

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/comparing_diesel_types.htm

 

[Genesis]

I REALLY LIKE the old Detroits.

Unlike the new stuff, they will run even when completely hosed. This doesn't sound good until you/'re in the middle of an inlet with breaking standing waves, a 20kt wind and a 5kt opposing current and something goes wrong.

Or, you're 100nm offshore fishing and something goes wrong.

With the new electronic engines, they just turn themselves off. Now what?

You may destroy an old Detroit getting home in that situation, but odds are good you WILL get home. Even if you do so slowly.

Yes, they burn more fuel than the new engines. They are also louder. But parts are, relatively speaking, dirt cheap. They're not hard to work on if you are willing to swing your own wrench, and there will be people who can work on them if not forever.

SOME parts can be fun to get, but don't get me started on some of the new engines. I had an injector go bad (stuck) on a little Yanmar engine a couple of years ago. That's a $75 part, and it took me THREE WEEKS to get it.

Worst case on an injector for a Detroit I can acquire one within a couple of days if I'm willing to pay to have it FedExed, and if not, I can cannibalize two or three old ones and make one working one. Try THAT with the new stuff.

 

[arimkus]

Florida Detroit Diesel Allision offers a four day course on 2 cycle engines. Recommend giving Blythe Williamson a call for the dates.
Al

 

[Brian Degulis]

I've heard that before and sure there old and out of production. But they are or were the most common engine ever produced. Put a Detroit 2 stroke next to any other engine anywhere on the planet. Then pick a part injector starter whatever and we will both leave at the same time to go find the part. The detroit guy will always be back sooner and with more money left in his wallet guaranteed. And the same holds true for finding service not to mention these are the easiest engines to work on so you can do much more yourself. They may be noisy and smelly and burn more fuel but for parts service and dependability they are way above the rest. And none of us will live long enough to see that change there are just to many of them around.

Brian