Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by burtim on 09/08/08 - 11:10 AM

I see mention of 2 stroke motors being banned from waters in the US. This is mostly discussed by motor dealers here and there. Is there any knowledge of waters where this ban is now in force? As a 2 stroke owner, I guess I need to know where not to live.

First it was burning leaves in the fall, then cigarettes. I hear some of you can't enjoy a barbeque with any of our good Omaha steaks. What's left to enjoy? They'll only get my BW and two stroke motor out of my cold dead hands!

Posted by moose on 09/08/08 - 11:46 AM

I know that some of the northern lakes have hp limits on engines and have read about 2 stroke limits on some of the lakes out west to limit polution. I think the CARB and CARB3 engine requirements are aiming at that. I can see their point, but to a point. I'll not get political, but it is.
Mike

Posted by Jeff on 09/08/08 - 11:52 AM

I have never known of any regulations in effect or proposed to ban 2 stroke motors in general. The only ban or restrictions I know of are only on the emission rating given to new outboards. Typically better emissions are achieved through fuel injection and oil injection and is not about the number of cycles. Look at the E-Tec, it is a 2 stroke and sold in California (which has the strongest laws on Outboard emissions). I doubt there would be a wide sweeping law banning 2 strokes in general. If someone is really selling this theory to you ask for hard proof. Typically Dock talk is just that. Talk.

Edited by Jeff on 09/08/08 - 11:54 AM

Posted by Joe Kriz on 09/08/08 - 12:15 PM

California did ban 2 strokes on some bodies of water for a short time and they also banned the sale of new 2 strokes during this same time period.

California finally got their head out of their rear end and lifted the ban on 2 strokes and changed their regulations to the Carb3 rating instead...

For many bodies of water in California, your engine needs to be Carb2 or Carb3 rated depending on the body of water. This has nothing to do with whether the engine is a 2 or 4 stroke model. It just needs to be a "clean" engine.

Posted by CES on 09/08/08 - 12:30 PM

So much for keeping vintage boats, vintage in those areas. I've not heard any of those rumblings in Texas..... If there were an emissions standard on our lakes, I'd be out of comission for a few years until I was able to afford a more efficient CARB 2 or CARB 3 small engine.

Edited by CES on 09/09/08 - 7:44 PM

Posted by Blue_Northern on 09/08/08 - 2:10 PM

The only bans on 2 stroke I have seen are for eco-type lake environments. I had seen some write up on the topic once and the people in that area were happy to not run 2 strokes in the lake. I fish the good old Gulf of Mexico and in Texas one thing we do not play around with is Fishing and Hunting. We are conservationist type but don't go telling us what to do! B)

Joe - I think Lake Tahoe still forbids 2 stroke engines.

Edited by Blue_Northern on 09/08/08 - 2:15 PM

Posted by Joe Kriz on 09/08/08 - 2:17 PM

Rob,

NOPE............... Some of the law enforcement on Lake Tahoe uses E-Tec 2 stroke engines as they are CARB3 rated.....

California law no longer states anything about 2 stroke engines... They now refer to the CARB rating instead....

Posted by Blue_Northern on 09/08/08 - 2:32 PM

#10

Law enforcement :o are you speaking from personal experience?

I will remember that though the next time i want to get in the truck and trailer my boat some 1600 miles to Lake Tahoe. lol

Posted by Binkie on 09/08/08 - 3:21 PM

#11

I too miss the smell of burning leaves in the fall. the the thoughts bring back good memories of crisp afternoons.:) I have missed that for about 37 years. I never enjoyed raking leaves though.:(

rich

Posted by KeyRat on 09/08/08 - 6:48 PM

#13

Joe Kriz wrote:
California did ban 2 strokes on some bodies of water for a short time and they also banned the sale of new 2 strokes during this same time period.

California finally got their head out of their rear end and lifted the ban on 2 strokes and changed their regulations to the Carb3 rating instead...

For many bodies of water in California, your engine needs to be Carb2 or Carb3 rated depending on the body of water. This has nothing to do with whether the engine is a 2 or 4 stroke model. It just needs to be a "clean" engine.

Hi Joe,

Two questions:

1. How do I figure out my Carb rating (1987 Yamaha 70 2 stroke)?
2. Is there a website somewhere that lists the bodies of water that are restricted in California?

Thanks!

Posted by burtim on 09/09/08 - 1:56 PM

#14

I never really heard anyone refer to a specific ban anywhere. That's why I brought this up. I just wanted to see where I was welcome and where I'm not.

I have a 2001 Mercury 40 HP 2 stroke. What is the carb rating on that?

Posted by Binkie on 09/09/08 - 5:34 PM

#15

It is an American right to own guns, and run 2troke outboards. I especially like the outboards from the 50`s that run 24-1 mix. I qt oil to 6 gallons of gas.

rich

Posted by CES on 09/09/08 - 7:08 PM

#16

Seabob, from what I read there isn't a "grandfather" type clause that states certain models in California are exempt. Correct me if I am wrong though.

Posted by Joe Kriz on 09/09/08 - 7:13 PM

#17

There is NO grandfather clause....

To operate on some bodies of waters in California, your engine must be CARB2 or CARB3 rated depending on the body of water.... PERIOD... No ifs, ands, or butts...

The ocean is not one of them that I know of.... YET....

Posted by KeyRat on 09/10/08 - 2:30 PM

#19

I stumbled across the California Department of Boating and Waterways website recently and I found this list of waterways that have pwc/2-stroke restrictions:

http://www.dbw.ca.gov/Environmental/TwoStroke/TSList.aspx

Looks like the majority are in Northern California.