Advice - Sportster 951 two stroke or 4 TEC

[Bridgie]

Hi All
This is my first post as a new member. I am looking at buying a Sed Doo Sportster in the next few days. Here is my dilemma. I am planning to use the boat up here (Northern Ont) in the summer, but want to take it down to Florida with me in the winter - the joys of being retired I have looked at a couple of 2001 and 2003 two strokes (951 engine). I like the layout and price. Today I looked at an 03 Sportster with the 4 TEC (non supercharged). It is definately pricier, but I like the idea of the 4 stroke for reliability and closed loop cooling (especially in salt water). Without igniting the age old 2 stroke VS 4 stroke debate, is the 4 TEC more reliable/worth the extra bucks??
Also, where the heck is the heat exchanger for the 4 TEC? After seeing BRPs video, I expected to see a large aluminum strip somewhere in the hull and could find nothing!! Was the 03 "open loop"? The only place they could hide it that I could think of would be in the ride plate.
I'd appreciate any guidance you guys could give me.

 

[BMANN06]

I've recently purchased a 4tec, your ride plate is your exchanger (or well at least it is on the gti). If your ride plate is metal then it's a similar setup to the ski's. I'm kinda in the middle on the engine types, I'm defeniately more educated in the 4 stroke side and these 4tecs seem pretty reliable (based on what I've heard). I've also had to replace 2 2strokes aswell (i've got an older speedster) and their pretty easy to work on once you understand them.

But to get to your question ... just going off stats on this forum, there are alot more posts on 2strokes engine problems than 4tec problems I would almost say 6:1. But that may be related to the amount of 2strokes out there; and/or registered users with 2strokes and members with 4tecs.

If I were you I would go with the 4tec if its in the budget, you will have less worry with the closed loop cooling (your point on saltwater). I think we can all agree that the 4tec is more reliable than the 2stroke (starting etc), and you wouldn't have a problem with some emission controlled lakes.

Hope this helps .. post back with what you get.

 

[BMANN06]

Btw .. Welcome to forum.

 

[Bridgie]

Thanks for the advice (and welcome) BMANN. You pretty much confirmed what I suspected - go for the 4TEC if budget allows. I am going for a test drive with owner this evening. Will let you know what the ultimate outcome is.

 

[BMANN06]

Yah I think you'll be happier with it given your planned use. Gotta say though, I'll never get rid of my speedster 16.5 ft, boat is a ton of fun!!

 

[El Toro 33809]

If the 4-stroke is a closed loop system it most definitely would be the way to go. They do better with fuel too. I think one of the reasons you see more "issues" with the 2-strokes is that they were used exclusively for a dozen years or more. The 4-stroke would be more reliable but if you do have a repair to make it would be much more expensive. A 2-stroke engine is simple to work on.

 

[Bridgie]

Decision Made!!

Sorry for the delay, but a couple of weeks ago I bought the 4TEC. Am VERY happy with it (so far)!

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Cool, post a pic of it to show it off.

Check your Private messages.

 

[Bridgie]

Here's my baby!! That's my wife at the helm (I'm not that good looking).

 

[Gamerse]

Grats and welcome! I think you will be happy with that choice. It is a great boat.