ORIGINAL: jrf
If the engine winds up in the water, a 2-stroke is MUCH easier to clean out. Run the 2 stroke for 5 minutes at high throttle and the water is gone. With a 4-stroke, you have to take it apart to get the water out of the crankcase, cam housing and rocker boxes. If you don't, you will be taking it apart to replace the bearings in a week or two anyway.
So there you go. 4-strokes for the guys who never crash or land hard, and 2-strokes for the reat of us.
Jim
I don't agree. 2 or 4 stroke, after getting the plane out of the water prime the snot out of it and start it by hand. Be carefull with an electric starter as it may be hydro locked. When it starts fly it. after the flight all the water will be gone. If you can't fly it at least start it and run it for a few minutes.
I've been doing this since the mid 70's and haven't taken one apart yet nor had to replace bearing or anything else. In fact while doing two tours on Guam I flew alot on salt water and after flying I would do a fresh water rinse and start them up to dry them out. Never a problem.