[Rhodes22-list] RE: Two cycle motors

[Kroposki]

Jim:
	As of this moment, I can't see where any two strokes meet the
2006 standards.  But then most four strokes don't meet the standard
today.  However, new two strokes are much better than the old.
	But the wording of all that I find says that you will be able to
use two strokes everywhere but California, even after 2006.
	About the environmental damage issue, I think last year or the
year before, 'Rummy' put the issue eloquently and correctly.  In essence
he said how much do sailboats really use their motors?  In 2002 I put in
two gallons of gas into my 3 gal tank.  I put in two ounces of two cycle
oil.  I still have a quarter of my tank.  I'll fill it one of these
days.  And I have intentionally used my motor because I am still
breaking it in.
	The point of the issue is not how much two cycle engines
pollute, but how much do sailboat two cycle engines pollute.  The truth
is not much.
      For the last fifty years I have been an outdoors oriented person.
I go hiking on the average twice a month.  I have walked all over the
southern mountains.  The environmental pigs abound.
	Even four stoke engines that are inherently more environmentally
friendly, are abused.  The abusers, the human piggies are the problem, a
few sail boaters who use their two cycle engines occasionally are not.
The small two cycle engines on sailboats are really insignificant.  
	My decision was made on motor weight.  I can move my motor by
myself, without a struggle.  Less than 60 lbs verses around 100 lbs.  If
you are always going to have the marina or other help available, then
weight is not the issue.  I like to be able to do things myself, even
though I can always ask Rummy, Raze, and others.

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Connolly [mailto:jbconnolly@speakeasy.net] 
Sent: Saturday, January 04, 2003 11:20 PM
To: kroposki@innova.net
Subject: RE: Two cycle motors

Great job on the research.

I didn't know the specifics of these plans.

It isn't clear to me which (if any) 2-strokes currently meet the 2006
standards.  For example, Nissan trumpets that their 4-strokes meet the
standards on the web page and in the brochure, but is silent on the
topic
and 2-strokes.

A quick Google search hinted that most manufacturers seem to plan on
meeting
the standards with direct injection and other high-tech tweaks for 100HP
and
up 2-strokes, but with 4-strokes for low HP engines.

Any info on that?
Know any 2-strokes in the 8HP range that meet the standards now?

Thanks for all your help.  Got to hit the hay soon.  Shoveled a foot of
snow
today.

Jim

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kroposki [mailto:kroposki@innova.net]
> Sent: Saturday, January 04, 2003 7:47 PM
> To: jbconnolly@speakeasy.net; rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org
> Cc: rhodes-list@sailnet.net
> Subject: RE: Two cycle motors
>
>
> Jim:
>      Now you have me looking some more.
>                                          Ed K
> See Following for starters:
>
> http://www.epa.gov/region01/pr/2002/jul/020716.html
>
> Your answer must be here:
>
>
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-AIR/1996/September/Day-19/pr-23668DIR/Ot
> her/maine.txt.html
>
>
> And:
>
> EPA Standards Usher in Cleaner Engines
> Who: Working cooperatively with the marine industry, the Environmental
> Protection Agency (EPA) is requiring a new generation of marine
engines
> featuring cleaner technology and better engine performance.
>
> What: The new standard requires a 75 percent reduction in outboard and
> personal watercraft engine hydrocarbon emissions from 1996 levels by
the
> year 2006.
>
> When: The rule was finalized in October 1996 and will be phased in
over
> a nine-year period. The first year of phase-in occurred in 1998.
>
> Why: Many boats and nearly all personal watercraft are equipped with
> conventional, carbureted 2-stroke engines. These engines are light
> weight and have a high power-to-weight ratio. They are easy to
maintain
> and less expensive than other types of engines. However, these engines
> also expel relatively large amounts of hydrocarbons into the air and
> water. Conventional 2-stroke engines produce roughly 14 times as much
> ozone-forming pollution as 4-stroke engines. Because the inlet and
> exhaust ports open at the same time during the combustion cycle,
25-30%
> of a 2-stroke's fuel and oil is discharged unburned. About half of
this
> evaporates immediately while the other half lingers in the water
column
> for a period of time. Direct effects are site specific and vary with
> weather and water conditions, but overall may have a negative impact
on
> fish and plant life. Of non-road sources, the EPA has determined that
> marine engines are the second largest average contributor of
hydrocarbon
> emissions. Small-spark ignition engines such as lawn mowers and garden
> tractors are the largest.
>
> The new regulations will significantly reduce marine engine emissions
> and manufacturers aren't waiting to comply. All marine engine
> manufacturers currently meet EPA standards. Companies such as OMC,
> Mercury, Honda and Yamaha have developed or adopted new engine
> technology that meets or beats EPA standards. Direct fuel injection
> engines, for example, emit 75% to 95% less ozone-forming exhaust than
> conventional marine engines do for the same horsepower. Four-stroke
> outboards are widely available for 70 hp down and new models are
> available up to 130 hp.
>
> In addition to being more environmentally friendly, the new OB/PWC
> engine technology will provide boaters with many performance
advantages.
> The engines generally provide easier starting, faster acceleration,
> quicker throttle response, and a reduction in fumes and noise.
> Significant improvements in fuel economy could provide hundreds of
> dollars in fuel savings. Furthermore, the new fuel systems and engine
> designs will relieve boaters from the hassle of mixing fuel and oil.
As
> an added benefit to the boat owner, the emissions performance of these
> new OB/PWC marine engines will be covered by a federally mandated
> three-year or 200 hour warranty, more than double the warranty
currently
> provided by most engine manufacturers.
>
> Even though boat engines currently in use are not affected by this
> regulation, the Marine Board encourages retiring conventional 2-stroke
> outboards and gearing up with quieter, cleaner, more efficient
engines.
> If you have a large outboard, you might consider purchasing a small
> four-stroke kicker to use when trolling or moving short distances.
> You'll save money on fuel, save wear-and-tear on your larger motor and
> enjoy a cleaner environment, too.
>
> Frequently Asked Questions:
> Does this mean I have to buy a new engine by 2006?
>
> No, the rules apply only to engine manufacturers. Boat owners and
> dealers are not required to modify their current engines to meet the
new
> standards.
>
> Do the new laws affect all watercraft?
>
> No, only new outboard and personal watercraft engines are affected.
> Emission standards are not set for stern drives and inboard engines
due
> to the inherently clean technology these engines provide. However,
> poorly tuned or maintained inboard motors can contribute pollutants to
> the environment, too. Make sure all your boating equipment is clean
and
> well maintained.
>
> Can I upgrade my engine to be EPA 2006 compliant?
>
> No, the new, cleaner technology developed by the marine industry
cannot
> be retrofitted. However, you can make sure your engine is well tuned,
> use a low-smoke oil and keep your engine's exterior free of gas,
grease
> or oil. Also, if replacing your large 2-stroke isn't an option,
consider
> a 4-stroke "kicker" motor for trolling or other slow-speed activities.
> You'll save fuel, pollute less, and save wear and tear on your big
> motor.
>
> Are new engines going to wind up costing more?
>
> Manufacturer competition and market demand for the quieter, more
> efficient engines will likely reduce costs over the coming years.
> Consider long-term fuel and oil savings when weighing the cost
> difference between a four-stroke or new EFI two-stroke marine engine -
> it will likely save you money in the long run.
>
>
http://www.boatwashington.org/boatwashington_news_archives.htm#EPA%20Sta
ndar
ds%20Usher%20in%20Cleaner%20Engines
>
>
>
>