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Lake Erie Charter Captain Dave Adams of D & D Charters answers questions and provides tips and insights into fishing the region.
If you would like to Ask the Captain a question, please click HERE.
September 26, 2001
Gord Fraser of Ottawa, Canada Asks:
Hey captain, you seem to be down on outboards because of gas consumption. But isn't it true that the 4 stroke outboards actually consume about 1/3 less gas than the equivalent HP 2 strokes and that the benefits of having an I/O or inboard versus outboard are diminishing.
Thanks,
Gord
Captain Dave's Response:
Hi Gord,
Because economics - mortgage payments, buying the wife pretty things, making car payments for my college daughter, and oh yea, buying specialty high priced cat food for my overly spoiled cat - prevent me from buying what I consider the perfect boat, which is a Grady White Marlin 300, equipped with twin Mercury EFI 225s; yes, my opinion on outboard versus inboard use is based on fuel consumption.
Nevertheless, technology has dramatically improved fuel efficiency in both 4-stroke and 2-stroke outboards.
This technology is not the result of engineers searching for increased fuel efficiency, but the end product of EPA mandates - decreased emissions. When an engine burns cleaner the emissions improve and fuel economy increases. Meanwhile, more boaters are beginning to use the newer 4-stroke and advanced 2-stroke designed engines.
"Most people who have purchased a 4-stroke outboard would not go back to a 2-stroke," said Roy Fletcher, service Manager for Presque Isle Sports LTD. "They have improved both reliability and availability, with both Honda and Mercury offering excellent 4-strokes. But the drawbacks to such an engine are price and weight."
Another option to the boater is the newer 2-strokes. For example, Mercury, with its Optimax fuel injection system, did an excellent job of decreasing emissions and increasing economy. In just five years, they have succeeded in dramatically reducing emissions while increasing fuel economy as much as 30 to 40 percent.
Unfortunately, similar to EPA mandates to car manufactures during the '70s, this newer technology brings a higher price. Soon, though, competition and availability will drop prices.
Just as outboards have advanced so have inboards and I/Os. "Carburetors are a thing of the past," said Fletcher. "Fuel systems today are either TBI (throttle body injection) or multi-port (an injector for each cylinder.")
Unlike outboards, the price tag for this technology has stayed reasonable because these systems have been used by the automotive industry for quite some time now. And competition among manufactures keeps the parts reasonably priced, available, and reliable.
Technology, undoubtedly, will create an outboard priced the same as an I/O or inboard, with the same fuel efficiency as inboards and I/O. But for now, outboards are priced higher, use more fuel (and oil,) and are equipped with relatively new technology.
My choice - and since most boaters are in the same money situation as me, or worse, depending on living tastes and women - by default, is still the inboard or I/O.
Thus, economics is the choice of reality.
Good fishing,
Capt. Dave Adams
Dave Adams is an author and professional charter captain who operates D & D Charters on the Pennsylvania waters of Lake Erie.
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