Lots of life left for two-strokes

Australian boat owners shouldn’t hesitate to buy a two-stroke engine if it suits their needs, according to the Outboard Engine Distributors Association (OEDA).

"It’s time to clear up some confusion which is circulating in the boating community at the moment," said OEDA’s Executive Officer, Lindsay Grenfell.

"Some people believe, and others have been lead to believe, there’s no point buying a two-stroke outboard because they’re about to be outlawed by the Federal Government. That is simply wrong."

OEDA -- which represents companies that produce conventional two-stroke, two-stroke Direct Injection and four-stroke engines -- has been closely following and assisting Canberra’s current deliberations on ways to reduce emissions from marine engines.

"The latest we have from the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities is that any decision is effectively a number of years away," Lindsay said.

The Department is still considering which of three options is the best way to proceed. If the Department decides to take action, then new legislation and supporting regulation will have to be drawn up and approved -- a lengthy process in itself.

Then, depending on the decision, all state and territory jurisdictions would need time to implement those regulations.

"Even then, the new rules will be focused on the sale of new engines. No-one is suggesting people will go around confiscating existing two-strokes,” Lindsay said.

OEDA strongly supports the move to low-emission technology and its members (Mercury, Yamaha and Tohatsu) have introduced more than 64 new generation 3 Star Ultra Low emission engines into the Australian market over the last few years.

"Thanks to new technology, today’s four-stroke and two-stroke direct injection engines are fantastic low-emission options for most people but there are still some applications which require the traditional  two-stroke outboard,” Grenfell said.

"And it’s these people who shouldn’t be confused or bamboozled into thinking they shouldn’t get the best engine for the job."

OEDA members represent approximately 70 per cent of all outboard sales and 70 per cent of outboard dealerships across Australia.