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Mfuller
121 Posts |
 Posted - 05 May 2016 : 10:42:04
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So, my Norman 20 came with a Honda 100 engine. It's a 10hp 4 stroke engine. It's fairly reliable, but my god it's noisy. Sat at the back of the boat near the engine, it's hard to be heard when going full power (which we do most of the time as it only pushes us along at about 5 knots). It's also annoyingly a pull start and the gears are a little clunky.
My question. Would a 2 Stroke really be that much worse? I believe 2 stroke engines are supposedly a lot more noisy than their 4 stoke counterparts, but if I was to purchase a 20-30hp 2-stroke, one wouldn't imagine that I wouldn't need to run it full power like I do the 4 stroke.
Anyone else using a 2 stroke on their norman? |
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df
United Kingdom
5994 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2016 : 11:51:05
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A 2 stroke would be very prone to oiling up at river speeds, 4 stroke is always the way to go for river canal cruisers.
2 stroke will use more fuel, be smellier, and probably still be noisier.
I though those little hondas were supposed to be fairly quiet, how about boxing round it with some sound proofing.
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
Visit leomagill.co.uk |
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cliveshep
Thailand
1324 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2016 : 14:05:56
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I agree with Dave in that the older bigger 2-strokes are prone to plug fouling, but those running at 100:1, and even those at 50:1 petrol-oil mix aren't really that troublesome. I had a 12.9 Chrysler 2-stroke on a Norman 20, both brand new, the engine never oiled up and ran faultlessly and was very quiet, but it struggled in a tideway, just didn't have the "grunt" so I can see your problems with a 10hp.
I'd say a 20 - 40 hp would be fine and if 2-stroke a lot more power with a lot less weight and frankly quieter too. I only have 2-strokes on runabouts, but the 30-40hp sizes run quietly and don't oil up when trolling at sea and that is a lot slower than canal speeds.
40hp might just about push your boat onto the plane if it was lightly loaded and you added tabs on the back, although not on canals or controlled waters of course.
Finally living the dream!
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Mfuller
121 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2016 : 17:03:56
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OK, so I am getting to stick with 4 Stroke :)
Are Evinrude any good? I've found one for sale.. 4 Stroke, electric start with remotes etc for about a grand. Looks old, but apparently runs well. Is it likely to be worth the change from my Honda 100?
Main selling points for me are the extra 5hp and electric start, but worried it might be another noisy betty. |
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Deano
United Kingdom
1843 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2016 : 18:43:40
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2 strokes - Great for battering about at full throttle, water skiing ect.. heavy on fuel and absolutely pants at going slow. (You are also not ably to buy one new as they are not environmentally friendly enough) Lighter than a 4 stroke of the same power.
4 strokes - Great for pottering along, fine at half throttle, usually much quieter than a 2 stroke as the tend to have more torque and therefore run slower. Use way less fuel and are far more reliable. (if well maintained) No messing with 2 strike oil, cleaner running. Some cannot be tipped over the wrong way.
I have a 2hp 2 stroke on my tender, the throttle is generally open or closed..... it is light enough to lift single handed.... all key requirements for my tender... BUT if I had to chose an engine for primary propulsion of a cruiser... 4 stoke EVERY time....
Dean - Boating on the Great Ouse.
Freeman 32 "Liberty"
See the photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/54758027@N00/ |
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IanM
United Kingdom
2238 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2016 : 23:08:22
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If you back off to half throttle you'll probably find you only lose about half a knot and get about half the volume and half the fuel consumption.
You might also want to look at the weight distribution from front to back.
But definitely stick with 4 stroke if you decide to change it. |
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Knighty
United Kingdom
654 Posts |
Posted - 06 May 2016 : 09:59:42
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| I had the same Honda engine and never found it that noisy. I did replace it with an electric start Mariner and that was quieter still. Have you got a cover over it ? My 20 had a large fibreglass cowl held on by two thumb screws which I think deflected some noise. |
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Mfuller
121 Posts |
Posted - 06 May 2016 : 11:19:59
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It's got a cover over it, but only a bit of ply. Once I've finished painting the hull I'll be looking adding some sound proofing.
That said, I've got my eye on a 15hp Evinrude. It's old, like my Honda, but has 5 more horses and electric start. Hoping it will be quieter :) |
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df
United Kingdom
5994 Posts |
Posted - 06 May 2016 : 11:47:19
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A bit of good soundproofing on the outboard side of the cover goes a long way as it stops it acting like an amplifier, sound deadening pads around the inside of the grp around the outboard well helps too.
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
Visit leomagill.co.uk |
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Mfuller
121 Posts |
Posted - 06 May 2016 : 13:10:38
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OK, just brought the Evinrude, so hopefully it'll be quieter. I'll also add the soundproofing as it can only make it quieter :)
Scary to be buying a new, old engine but funds are tight :\ |
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stratford4528
United Kingdom
414 Posts |
Posted - 06 May 2016 : 18:55:19
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| Am I glad I have got a diesel inboard. |
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Mfuller
121 Posts |
Posted - 07 May 2016 : 08:41:43
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That's my biggest regret, not buying a Norman with an inboard :)
Outboards are ludicrously expensive. Very poor £ to HP ratio and to top it all off can get nicked!
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Deano
United Kingdom
1843 Posts |
Posted - 07 May 2016 : 17:32:34
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Mfuller, I don't know where you are based, but I may have a few big offcuts of foil covered, lead and foam sound proofing.... Not worth posting, but if you can collect from St Neots, Cambridgeshire area then you are welcome to them if they help. Let me know.
Dean - Boating on the Great Ouse.
Freeman 32 "Liberty"
See the photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/54758027@N00/ |
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stratford4528
United Kingdom
414 Posts |
Posted - 07 May 2016 : 23:27:51
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| The advantages of an inboard diesel. Very cheap to run, more reliable,safer because of no petrol, hot water for sinks and showers, high power battery charging. I,ve fitted mine with an extra alternator giving 120 amp charge. And being 3 cylinder Kubota quiet and run for ever.Iv,e also gone overboard (scuse the pun) and fitted air con.Sorry to make some of you jealous. |
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2 Stroke vs 4 Stroke
