Walk any boat show or dealership row today and the picture is clear: four-stroke outboards have effectively taken over the new-motor market. Every major manufacturer we stock — Yamaha, Mercury, Honda and Suzuki — now builds its mainstream range around four-stroke technology, from portable 2.5 HP engines up to flagship V8 and V12 flagships above 400 HP.
The shift has been driven by emissions rules, fuel economy and noise. Modern four-strokes burn noticeably less fuel than the carburetted two-strokes of the 1990s and 2000s, run quieter at trolling speed, and meet the strictest emissions standards in the United States and Europe.
What it means if you are buying
For buyers, the practical effect is choice. If you want the latest technology — electronic fuel injection, power trim and tilt, digital gauges — a new or late-model four-stroke is where the market is. If you want maximum power per dollar, well-kept pre-owned motors remain excellent value, and that is where a large part of our stock list sits.
Evinrude's E-TEC direct-injection two-strokes deserve a special mention. Although Evinrude stopped production in 2020, E-TEC motors remain popular on the used market for their power-to-weight ratio and low maintenance, and parts support continues through the dealer network. We carry a rotating selection of E-TEC motors for buyers who specifically want them.
Our advice
Match the motor to the boat and the budget, not to the headline technology. A correctly sized, well-maintained motor — two-stroke or four-stroke — will outlast an oversized or neglected one every time. If you tell us your boat and how you use it, we will point you at the listings that fit.