
Somewhere around the third carburetor rebuild for our 3.3 hp four stroke dinghy outboard, I decided enough is enough. Four stroke outboards are supposed to be cleaner and quieter than two strokes, but they are heavier, more complicated, and in smaller sizes, not that much quieter. Whether it was ethanol in the fuel, or just bad luck picking a lemon from the dealer, our outboard was a constant source of trouble, and word around the waterfront was that we were not alone in this experience. The old two stroke that we replaced always started first pull, but regurgitating two stroke oil into the ocean and atmosphere is no longer a responsible option. Time to join the electric outboard revolution.