Four-Stroke and Two-Stroke Marine Engines Comparison and Application

Abstract

Marine engines have evolved a lot through time. From the earliest instances of rowing equipment to the advanced machinery, propulsion engines have become a critical part in the efficiency of marine vessels. These engines can be classified and selected using various characteristics and types, such as its operating cycle. Engines can come in either the four-stroke or the two-stroke version. Four-stroke engines are primarily used in cars, buses, and trucks due to their lower noise production and higher stability in motion. Two-stroke engines are best used in scooters, motorcycles, ships, where space can present a constraint and noise is not an issue. Marine vessels favor the use of two-stroke engines as opposed to four-stroke ones due to fuel usage, engine efficiency, and power-to-weight ratio.