Experience with Yamaha 200 HP Saltwater Series II 2 Stroke

mspears1

I just bought a 2000 SD 237 with 240 hours. It came equipped with a 200 HP Yamaha Salt Water Series II 2 stroke. It seems to run fine and has more than enough power.  It has that unpleasant two stroke odor when idling. The previous owner was using an off brand of oil, I am wondering if using Yamalube might help with the odors. I am having the boat professionally serviced after I pick it up next week but plan on doing future routine servicing myself. Anyone have experience with this motor? Any tips on keeping it up to snuff? Probably not the motor I would have picked if buying new, but it is what it is. Any comments would be appreciated.

HydroCanis

Without smelling it, not sure how unpleasant I'd find it. 2 stroke smoke with quality oil smells like fun to me. Sort of associative conditioning, I guess. I hate diesel smoke, but my son likes it, because it smells like locomotives. Each to his own.

IMHO, Yamalube is not necessary, but I'd avoid the real cheap stuff, and of course TCW3. Check the lower unit oil occasionally; change it annually. Check the separator/filter occasionally for crud or water. Nice ride, hope you have a blast with it!

Ernest T

Got a friend that has a big 2 stroke on his Bass boat.  He claims that Amsoil 2 stroke is the secret to no smoke or smell.  I know its more expensive than some alternatives.  You might look for synthetic brands that say low or no smoke and give them a try.  

Otherwise, you have a nice boat.  I like the 237 layout.  I almost bought one myself, but went a little smaller.

FlyingV5

I always found the odor of 2 stroke oil pleasant, reminiscent of sweaty days in a tin boat on some sweltering creek, so to each his own. One problem I have experienced was when a friend purchased the latest synthetic 2stroke oil for use in an older motor. The float switch in the oil tank showed empty due to lower specific gravity of the thinner oil: the float sank in it.

cjjjdeck

Ernest T said:

 
Otherwise, you have a nice boat.  I like the 237 layout.  I almost bought one myself, but went a little smaller.

+1 on the SD237 layout!

nquirk

FlyingV5 said:

I always found the odor of 2 stroke oil pleasant, reminiscent of sweaty days in a tin boat on some sweltering creek, so to each his own. 

Couldn't agree more..... I love the smell of my two stroke.

HHP123

 mspears,

Since you are having the motor serviced ask the tech to check the oil injection settings.  At idle it should use next to none at all.  I have a '98 200 Yamaha and it makes a cloud on start up, after that it is fine.  I did have it serviced recently.

As an aside, the oil is cheap, it's the gasoline that disappears at an alarming rate!