Manufacturers of outboard motors appear to be abandoning the idea of model-year engines. Instead, most of the companies simply add and delete models from year to year as the market requires. This shift in policy makes good sense. Most boat owners really only begin to think about changing engines when they feel that the current power on their transom is getting a bit long in the tooth, or that they need more ponies. Considering that a properly maintained outboard is good for 1,000 hours or more in the marine environment, and easily more than twice that in fresh water, it takes something that?Ĵs dramatically new to separate cash from the boater

Certainly 4-stroke and direct-injection (DI) 2-stroke engines fit the definition of dramatically new, if for no other reason than their miserly consumption of fuel in a world of rapidly soaring gasoline prices. Add to this the fact that 2006 is the year the first of a set of EPA emission regulations goes into effect, and you would expect to see all sorts of fireworks in the outboard marketplace?Į for instance, the immediate disappearance of all standard 2-strokes.

That?Ĵs not happening for several reasons. First, the industry quickly saw the writing on the wall years ago and immediately got very busy developing engines that meet (and in some cases exceed) the 2006 requirements. Second, since the regs are for fleet averages, engine makers can afford to keep their dirtier 2-strokes in the mix as long as there is a viable market for them. But if you are a fan of the older 2-strokes, do not assume that because they are still being offered in 2006 they will be around forever. At some point, each and every one will, without warning, wander off into outboard limbo as a DI 2-stroke or 4-stroke replacement comes down the line.

What?Ĵs Happening In 2006

When it comes to innovative DI 2- stroke, Bombardier?Ĵs E-Tec Evinrude line seems to be leading the charge. The E-Tec is essentially an ongoing refinement of the once-troublesome FICHT engines originally developed by OMC. All of the bugs are long gone and reliability is outstanding. Bombardier believes this so strongly that it will offer E-Tec in-line 2-cylinder motors at 40, 50, and 60 horsepower; inline 3-cylinder models at 75 and 90 horsepower; a V-4 at 115 horsepower; 2.6- liter V-6s at 150, 150 HO, 175, and 200 horsepower; 3.3-liter V-6s at 200 HO, 225, 225 HO, and 250 horsepower?Į all with a 3-year warranty and dealer service required only at 300-hour intervals

Bombardier also has trimmed the Johnson line of 4-stroke models, which as of 2006 will have only the 2.5, 4, 6, 9.9, 15, 25 and 30. The Johnson carbureted 2-stroke line-up will include 3.5, 9.9, 15, 90, 115, 150, and 175 models.

Honda won?Ĵt have any new engines this year, but word has it that R&D is working on lighter 75 and 90 horsepower engines, and maybe even a lightweight 60 in the nottoo- distant future.

Without a doubt, the most innovative 4-stroke outboards on the market are those in Mercury?Ĵs Verado series. Merc went all-out in developing these supercharged inline 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engines, but it seems to be paying off. Currently available in 135 to 275 horsepower, they have become very popular. For 2006, Merc is also replacing 75, 90 and 115 4-stroke outboards with new models, but these will not be in the Verado configuration.

Using its very successful 410-pound I- 4, 140-horsepower motor as a model, Suzuki has introduced a similar in-line 4. It has a bigger block, puts out 150 and 175 horsepower and weighs only 465 pounds. That?Ĵs right within the weight range of DI 2-strokes, and at its 175- horsepower rating, definitely lighter than any current 4-stroke of similar power. Other new DI 2-strokes also continue to appear, as evidenced by the 115-horsepower TLDI from Tohatsu and Nissan.

Yamaha won?Ĵt have anything new in 4- stroke or DI 2-strokes, but the company has dropped some of the older standard 2-stroke and a couple of DI 2-stroke models (40, 60, 150 TRP and OX 200) for 2006. The DI 150, 175, and 200 HPDI models will be available only in the VMAX version. Stay tuned to these pages for the latest on outboard technology and specific updates. There?Ĵs some exciting stuff on the way!