Share:

The motor you choose for your boat could make or break fishing and cruising expeditions. Outboard motors are the standard choice, but come in a variety of styles and sizes that output energy differently. Below is a guide to help you find the right fit for your boat when the time comes to set sail.

A Guide to Outboard Motors

What Are They?

An outboard motor, as implied by its name, is mounted outside of the boat and propels it forward by burning gasoline with oxygen in its cylinders. Most outboards range from two to six cylinders. The more cylinders it has, the more powerful it will be. You steer the boat by tilting the motor at an angle to push water in the desired direction, either by hand or with a wheel connected to hydraulic cables. Outboard motors provide faster transport than traditional oars and sails. 

How Do They Work?

outboard motorsOutboard motors run on a two or four-stroke process, which involves intake, compression, combustion, and exhaustion of fuel. Two-stroke engines complete a combustion cycle, in which a spark plug ignites gas, in one piston stroke while the next stroke lets gas exhaust out for new fuel to enter the cylinder. The spark plug activates every other piston revolution in four-stroke engines, while power is produced every four strokes. The compression stroke constricts fuel-air intake prior to combustion and the exhaust stroke pushes the gases out of the cylinder. When energy is produced in either two or four-stroke cycles, the piston rod in the cylinder turns the crankshaft of the motor in a rotary motion. The crankshaft then turns the driveshaft—a fan-like propeller—in the water to spin the gears.

How Do You Choose a Motor?

Decide if you want your outboard motor to run on two or four-stroke engines. Four-stroke cycles have greater torque (rotational force), better fuel efficiency, and are more durable than their two-stroke counterparts. Two-stroke cycles have a simpler design to avoid troubleshooting difficulties, accelerate faster, and are less expensive. A small boat may not be able to handle the weight of a four-stroke option, whereas a bigger boat may be more equipped to handle such a motor with its fuel economy and torque advantages. If you want to maximize boat speed for an exciting cruise or to get to fishing spots faster than your competitors, two-stroke engines will get the job done. Contrarily, long periods of idling on the water and mile-heavy trips would benefit from a four-stroke engine.

 

Start your search for the perfect choice with All Seasons Honda & Peninsula Ski-Doo in Homer, AK. Staff members are dedicated to providing a quality boating experience with the best-in-class machinery on the motor market. They also offer an assortment of ATVs and snowmobiles to pique your interest while browsing outboard motors. Call (907) 235-8532 to consult these seasoned boat suppliers or visit them online to peruse their selections.

tracking