Outboard drag boats, why are there no 4-strokes?

**keefallan** · 06-17-2019, 05:43 PM

This thread was originally about a drag racing 4 stroke. If you take a 300hp 2 stroke and a 300hp 4 stroke in a drag race, the 2 will win every time. Why? It makes more torque. It is in a power stroke every other cycle instead of 1/4th of the time. You 4 strokers wanna be right so bad. But there is an advantage to the 2 stroke.......that's why they dominated certain classes like the 250 class in moto. They rev higher.......typically..... and can therefore pump more air(big airpump remember) and make more power pound for pound. Holeshot is everything in a drag.........my monies on the 2 stroke everytime! If you 4 strokers want proof........go look on youtube where an etech is matched against a Yamaha 4. Its a great video to show the power of a two strokes torque curve versus a 4 stroke.

And I've posted in other threads about the etech. Modern 2 strokes aren't dead, BRP has made a good motor that meets modern EPA regs and more. Its reliable, great on gas.............I can go on..........

As for electrics, I think the only issues you will have is the weights of the battery system. I'm actually interested in them......to see what transpires.

My biggest point in this chime in is the amount each engine is in its power stroke 50% versus 25%. Nobody brings that up anymore.

**CUDA** · 06-17-2019, 06:13 PM

The new 4.6 motors make a lot of torque but are almost twice the size of our beloved 2.5's thus heavy, which is a major problem, even with a Chaz mid, they need their own class for that reason alone, you are right about RPMs but Jap bikes spin even higher than 2.5s a Zx1400 red line is 11,000, but last I knew every time the piston comes up on a 2 stroke it's a power stroke.

The bottom line very few if any are going to spend the kind of money it would take, without even a class, Outboard drag racing is not what it use to be 20 years ago, much of the boat racing I grew up with has faded away.

**David** · 06-17-2019, 07:23 PM

Drag race, 21 Liberator, 300R vs 300XS, which wins?
Drag race, 300R, 300 drag, optimal boat for each, I think the consensus is the 300 drag wins

**Scream And Fly** · 06-17-2019, 07:34 PM

I’ve been asking Rick Mackie about that. I think we might hear some pretty cool news on this subject.

**Scream And Fly** · 06-17-2019, 07:36 PM

Originally Posted by David

Drag race, 21 Liberator, 300R vs 300XS, which wins?
Drag race, 300R, 300 drag, optimal boat for each, I think the consensus is the 300 drag wins

First scenario, all things being equal, the 300R wins. Hands down.

Second scenario, I think the 300 Drag really has no equal there. That is what it very as designed for, after all

.

I cannot overstate how much of a beast the 300R is. It’s insane.

**Capt.Insane-o** · 06-17-2019, 07:37 PM

A 2.5 is bad enough when it comes unspooled...a 4 cammer that decides parts are not to be where they are supposed to be will be a sight to behold.

**powerabout** · 06-17-2019, 08:04 PM

Originally Posted by Scream And Fly

First scenario, all things being equal, the 300R wins. Hands down.

Second scenario, I think the 300 Drag really has no equal there. That is what it very as designed for, after all

.

I cannot overstate how much of a beast the 300R is. It’s insane.

It was a beast till guys got 450hp from an OMC as a drag engine

**yachter55** · 05-24-2023, 05:03 PM

So how about Mercs 60 R race. No one is talking about them. 6300 rpm, 268 #, and a15 " mid. Was thinking about 1 for my 15' ocean Express. Any opinions?

**David** · 05-25-2023, 10:02 AM

The Formula Race 60 is fast enough for fun, but not competitive with 2 strokes in local 13' V bottom racing.

https://www.wavetowave.com/home/2022...60-hp-outboard

The Tuff 16 is fast enough for fun, but too big to be competitive with the 13 footers in racing. It went 10 mph faster with the Formula 60 then with the 60R

**yachter55** · 05-26-2023, 10:05 AM

Well the 60 r will be used to do some,long runs 30 milesor so. Wonder if the formula is just geared to doing short runs ? Gonna be a cruiser.Not that I wouldn't try to give somebody a run for the money.

**David** · 05-27-2023, 09:30 AM

The Formula would potentially turn less rpm at cruising speed, which might reduce stress and improve fuel economy. I don't think the powerheads are that different. The big plus of the R is that you can buy one. The 60R is still on the Mercury Racing web site. The Formula is gone from the site.

**powerabout** · 05-27-2023, 10:39 AM

The message is dont start a race class with a Merc or you will have to keep buying new engines as they force the class to change.

**yachter55** · 05-27-2023, 11:23 AM

Thanks for the info. I guess if I'm not happy with the 60R I can always sell it.

**Dirty Dodge** · 10-12-2023, 07:24 PM

I know this is an old thread, but I couldn't let it go.

Brad, your example holds no water. 4 stroke dirt bikes only came about because the race organizations thought they were getting ahead of the curve by pushing 4 strokes, thinking 2 strokes would go away. In order for them to be competitive, 400cc 4 strokes were allowed to race against 250cc 2 strokes. They uses a theory if the number of strokes to justify it. If 250cc 4 strokes had to complete against 250cc 2 strokes, they wouldn't have to chance in hell!

Overseas, KTM is killing the competition with their 2 strokes!
All that said, a 4 stroke is more forgiving fir the novice rider.

I have no idea how this relates to drag boats. Lol! ��