Evinrude but no Johnson

[The Beard]

I understand that Evinrude now only make 2-stroke motors and that Johnson don't make anything. It strikes me as odd that they should leave themselves with a big hole at the bottom end of the market, now partially filled by the new 25 and 30hp models. I think Johnson used to make some 4-strokes, especially in the low powered end and it does seem odd that BRP should let their competitors stitch up the 2 - 20hp sector. There still seem to be quite a few of this kind of Johnson outboard on 2nd hand boats so I'm assuming they are quite a good unit.

I wonder why the company has let this end of things go as there seem to be a hell of a lot of small engines being bought and it also means that if you have an Evinrude motor on your boat but want a small auxiliary then you have to go elsewhere, whereas all the other makers seem to have a complete range.

Is there no money to be made down there? I think some of the "names" actually have these small motors made by other firms.

Enlighten me please.

[Locozodiac]

For what have heard, the idea is to turn small portable 2 strokes models into Etecs in the long run and stay with those highly commercial, so not have so many HP close to each other.

Happy Boating

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by The Beard

I think some of the "names" actually have these small motors made by other firms.

Enlighten me please.

The small 4-stroke Johnsons are Soozooks in white paint with yank stickers.
Older 4-stroke Evinrudes were also Soozooks.

[Chris]

There is a smaller 10/15hp e-tec on the cards however I don't think we will see it for at least 18 mths

[matt h]

looking at all the above info, what a bastardised (not sure about the spelling) engine, Chris, when you gonna buy a proper engine, with a bit of pedigree??

something lile a yam 90 or optimax!!

[Locozodiac]

Originally Posted by Chris

There is a smaller 10/15hp e-tec on the cards however I don't think we will see it for at least 18 mths

The smallest ones you can buy right now are 25 & 30 HP Etec's, probably will see 5/10/15 in near future.

Happy Boating

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

The small 4-stroke Johnsons are Soozooks in white paint with yank stickers.
Older 4-stroke Evinrudes were also Soozooks.

I know for a fact the Johnson and Suzuki 140 four strokes are identical

[Chris]

Originally Posted by matt h

looking at all the above info, what a bastardised (not sure about the spelling) engine, Chris, when you gonna buy a proper engine, with a bit of pedigree??

something lile a yam 90 or optimax!!

Hmmm there are 3 blown Optis on a pallet in my boat shed at the moment waiting to be broken for parts. Think I might give the Opti a miss

BTW if anyone needs any Opti parts then I am well be able to help!

As for a Yamaha 90 coal fired eco disaster I will leave that to those of you who seem to be stuck in the 90's

[The Beard]

Thanks for your replies Chaps (and Chapesses?). The possiblity of a 15/20 hp (and smaller)motor makes sense as there seem to be an awful lot of these types advertised in the magazines. I did wonder whether the cost of developing an outboard that sells for hundreds instead of thousands is probably not a lot less than for the bigger ones so sharing between manufacturers makes sense. After all, the Cummins B series bears more than a passing resemblance to the similar size IVECO and Vauxhall/Opel/Saab/Cadillac use the 1.3, 1.9 and 2.0 FIAT diesels and Alfa Romeo use the 2.2 and 3.2 GM petrol engines so it makes sense I suppose.

What perhaps surprised me was that seeing that Evinrude is part of Bombardier and they make quite a few 4 stroke engines, they didn't take the chance to do a Mercury/Mariner and have both 2 and 4 stroke motors, for instance with Evinrude doing the 2 strokes and Johnson the 4s.

There is a display ad. in some of the boat magazines for Sorcerer boats which shows a RIB with a big white Johnson (oo-er Missus) which bears more than a passing resemblance to a Suzuki so that sounds about right.

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by The Beard

What perhaps surprised me was that seeing that Evinrude is part of Bombardier and they make quite a few 4 stroke engines, they didn't take the chance to do a Mercury/Mariner and have both 2 and 4 stroke motors, for instance with Evinrude doing the 2 strokes and Johnson the 4s.

Are you suggesting that Mariner and Mercury make all their own engines?