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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: bobrebos on May 08, 2019, 09:51:35 AM

Title: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: bobrebos on May 08, 2019, 09:51:35 AM
I was thinking of getting a new 30hp motor for my fishing boat (16'aluminum, small old boat)  Was waningt a white Suzuki like below.  4800$!!!!!  Geezzzzz   :weiner:


https://www.overtons.com/suzuki-30-hp-outboard-motor-model-df30athlw2-354695.html?CAWELAID=120071730000278113&s_kwcid=msnsearch__&msclkid=947fb707488b1dd533aaebd5a432ff12
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: Kev m on May 08, 2019, 10:41:08 AM
HA, you think that's expensive, go price a 300 hp Merc, Rude, Zuk etc. You're probably talking $30k plus for most.

I mean $4800 isn't cheap, but what is that in 1990 or 1970 dollars?

And what are you getting? A very durable, efficient, 4-stroke, probably EFI outboard.
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: Toecutter on May 08, 2019, 10:52:36 AM
Short answer? Because they can be.

I think the fact they are almost entirely "luxury" items for the average consumer, and expense items for professional/business customers is what drives it.

$100 a HP seems to be about ballpark.

I like my canoe.
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: Lannis on May 08, 2019, 11:01:04 AM
Short answer? Because they can be.

I think the fact they are almost entirely "luxury" items for the average consumer, and expense items for professional/business customers is what drives it.

$100 a HP seems to be about ballpark.

I like my canoe.

That may be 100% correct, but the people that I see around here that are towing bass boats with two 250 HP engines on them for a day at the lake are NOT professional/business customers, they're just regular guys out for a day of fishing or a bass tournament.

People COULD run their fishing boats with a 60 HP Toyota car engine with a long shaft sticking out the back and a propellor on the end like they do in Southeast Asia, for $1000 .... but that's not what the demand is for.   

It's only money, and people have no lack of it these days.... especially when it comes to toys like campers, motor homes, bass boats, snowmobiles, Rhino four-wheelers, or (for some of us) our fancy motorcycles!

Lannis
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: bobrebos on May 08, 2019, 11:01:43 AM
Short answer? Because they can be.

I think the fact they are almost entirely "luxury" items for the average consumer, and expense items for professional/business customers is what drives it.

$100 a HP seems to be about ballpark.

I like my canoe.

Yep...think my kayak is going to get more use!  My motor for that just needs some food and water!! 
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: s1120 on May 08, 2019, 11:53:00 AM
Ya same "boat" here. I picked up a old 17 footer a handfull of years ago with a bad motor. it turned out to be beyond repair, so been looking for a replacement.. even non runners in the 90-150 range are going for a grand!!!! 
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: kirb on May 08, 2019, 12:09:04 PM
Honda, Yamaha, Mercury...all leaders in the industry. All prices similar.

There would be a line of cheaper mfg if they could make money at it...Suzuki is about as cheap as you are going to find new.
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: Rick in WNY on May 08, 2019, 01:59:55 PM
Why is it expensive? Because BOAT! It means: Break Out Another Thousand!

A big part of the cost is that the R&D expenses in an outboard motor and drive are similar to those accumulated while developing an engine and transmission for a car. Then the level of technology to build them is similar, but slightly higher for the boat since it has to be operable immersed in water vs cars just getting splashed. But the biggest difference is the sales volume you have to recoup the initial investment. A good car engine design will be produced for 10+ years and used in several models with literal millions of them made. Compare that with this little bit o' news...

https://www.ibinews.com/market-intelligence/us-outboard-engine-sales-reached-a-12-year-high-in-2018/33773.article (https://www.ibinews.com/market-intelligence/us-outboard-engine-sales-reached-a-12-year-high-in-2018/33773.article)

https://www.statista.com/statistics/199983/us-vehicle-sales-since-1951/ (https://www.statista.com/statistics/199983/us-vehicle-sales-since-1951/)

So, in the US in 2018, 278,500 outboards sold versus 17,200,000 automobiles sold.

That's 61.75 automobiles sold vs ONE outboard motor of any size.

I might be wrong... but I doubt I'm THAT wrong.
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: bad Chad on May 08, 2019, 03:01:14 PM
HA, you think that's expensive, go price a 300 hp Merc, Rude, Zuk etc. You're probably talking $30k plus for most.

I mean $4800 isn't cheap, but what is that in 1990 or 1970 dollars?

And what are you getting? A very durable, efficient, 4-stroke, probably EFI outboard.

Indeed, but for under 30k you can get 300hp plus, and get a pretty darn competent car to go with it!  Economy of scale might have something to do with it?
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: AJ Huff on May 08, 2019, 03:34:31 PM
If you could go down to 20HP a Nissan/Tohatsu is half that or less. I've read good things about them. Was my plan once upon a time.

-AJ
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: yogidozer on May 08, 2019, 03:46:31 PM
I don't need any stinking, polluting motors

(https://i.ibb.co/nCJZmDn/100-2311.jpg) (https://ibb.co/nCJZmDn)

I also have an electric powered dock, AKA pontoon boat

(https://i.ibb.co/qN3MKdf/100-2693.jpg) (https://ibb.co/qN3MKdf)
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: Muzz on May 08, 2019, 04:23:28 PM

People COULD run their fishing boats with a 60 HP Toyota car engine with a long shaft sticking out the back and a propellor on the end like they do in Southeast Asia, for $1000 .... but that's not what the demand is for.   

Lannis

Those things really impressed me. They go really well and save a lot of damage where there are submerged logs.
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: pete mcgee on May 08, 2019, 04:55:15 PM
This might help.
A quick discription of the acronym boat, which most people think is a discriptive word.

B.  Bring
O.  Over
A.  Another
T. Thousand

This also applies to the pricing of any and all ancillary equipment fitted to the acronym in question.

Thank me later.
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: bobrebos on May 08, 2019, 05:35:35 PM
I don't need any stinking, polluting motors

(https://i.ibb.co/nCJZmDn/100-2311.jpg) (https://ibb.co/nCJZmDn)

I also have an electric powered dock, AKA pontoon boat

(https://i.ibb.co/qN3MKdf/100-2693.jpg) (https://ibb.co/qN3MKdf)


Nice pics....yep might be time for me to get out my old kayak some more.  Lots cheaper!!
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: bobrebos on May 08, 2019, 05:39:12 PM
If it a numbers manufacturered thing Guzzi's should cost $100,000 per unit.

Don't give Moto Guzzi any ideas!   :grin:
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: yogidozer on May 08, 2019, 05:58:57 PM

(https://i.ibb.co/8xDqwbg/The-best-two-days-of-a-boat-owners-life-are-480x480.png) (https://ibb.co/8xDqwbg)
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: not-fishing on May 08, 2019, 06:22:56 PM
I asked a buddy of mine about getting a new engine to replace my '76 2 stroke Johnson.

He said find a used boat with a good engine and buy it then swap outboards and sell a boat.

With the price of a new engine I have to agree -- butt I still am using the old Johnson.
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: Penderic on May 08, 2019, 06:54:47 PM
Boat motors are so much bigger these days.

 :shocked: Marine gas ain't cheap!

(https://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag77/Penderic/Penderic008/philipsburg-ships-stacked-up-copy_zps9wcjyzo3.jpg)
Big ones!
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: bobrebos on May 08, 2019, 07:06:21 PM
Boat motors are so much bigger these days.

 :shocked: Marine gas ain't cheap!

(https://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag77/Penderic/Penderic008/philipsburg-ships-stacked-up-copy_zps9wcjyzo3.jpg)
Big ones!

That's a big enough fishing boat for me I think...... :tongue:
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: Aaron D. on May 08, 2019, 07:13:41 PM
The smaller the boat, the more fun you have.
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: Penderic on May 08, 2019, 08:21:24 PM
(https://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag77/Penderic/Penderic008/ship%20pin_zpshi9edcob.jpg)

Dam. There's those negative waves again!
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: Kev m on May 09, 2019, 06:38:28 AM
If you could go down to 20HP a Nissan/Tohatsu is half that or less. I've read good things about them. Was my plan once upon a time.

-AJ

I almost mentioned those. That's a good suggestion. I remember liking them when working on the Seloc N/T manual.
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: Lannis on May 09, 2019, 08:25:59 AM

(https://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag77/Penderic/Penderic008/philipsburg-ships-stacked-up-copy_zps9wcjyzo3.jpg)
Big ones!

My ultimate nightmare "vacation".   A cruise ship docking at some Caribbean port with 4 others, 12,000 people hitting the resort at one time, then hop back on and go to the next one ....

Lucky for me, Fay has zero interest in cruises, for a good reason.   We went on board the USS North Carolina museum ship, docked in the harbor at Wilmington.   At the time, the ship was "silted in" at the harbor so it was actually sitting on the harbor bottom.   As we walked the deck, with the breeze rustling and little waves and catspaws ruffling the harbor water, she stopped and held on to a rail and said "This ship is moving and I'm getting a little queasy." 

Now if there is any object in the world, along with the Pyramids and Ayer's Rock, that is NOT MOVING, it's that battleship.   But just seeing the motion of the water starting getting her a bit 'off'.   

Maybe a bass boat up on plane would be OK for her, though.

Lannis
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: LowRyter on May 09, 2019, 10:32:44 AM
The cruise ships never dock at the same time in Caribbean.  They are on staggered schedules and certainly not risking a collision for simultaneous docking.  Even at the big ports of departure, the ships don't leave together.  And as one can see in the photo, the departure area isn't swarming and overcrowded with tourists which is a typical scene.

I've enjoyed two cruises.  I wouldn't do it every season but every couple of years, particularly when the weather at home is cold and crappy. 
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: Lannis on May 09, 2019, 10:48:09 AM
The cruise ships never dock at the same time in Caribbean.  They are on staggered schedules and certainly not risking a collision for simultaneous docking.  Even at the big ports of departure, the ships don't leave together.  And as one can see in the photo, the departure area isn't swarming and overcrowded with tourists which is a typical scene.

I've enjoyed two cruises.  I wouldn't do it every season but every couple of years, particularly when the weather at home is cold and crappy.

Maybe it depends on the cruise line or location.   My cousins just got back from a cruise and described the opposite of what you're describing.    Their description of the constantly overloaded hot tubs and Jacuzzis, simmering foot-and-ass soup 24-7 was enough for me.  The rest was just eating, sleeping, drinking, and gambling, two of which I don't indulge in, and two of which I can do at home.

I doubt if any activity that involves thousands and thousands of people in an area about the size of the yard I cut every week could ever be enjoyable to us.   More space for you then!

Lannis
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: larrys on May 09, 2019, 01:42:04 PM
They are expensive because that's what the traffic will bear.
For your visual enjoyment. 627 horsepower apiece. $100,000 apiece. Supercharged Cadillac CTS motor. Yeah, baby!
Larry

(https://i.ibb.co/Gx998GZ/IMG-0968.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Gx998GZ)


(https://i.ibb.co/4K7ZzCJ/IMG-0967.jpg) (https://ibb.co/4K7ZzCJ)

upload image (https://imgbb.com/upload)


(https://i.ibb.co/w7R5sPQ/IMG-0969.jpg) (https://ibb.co/w7R5sPQ)

Here's the boat. 40' Intrepid. $600,000 without the motors. 53 knots WOT.

(https://i.ibb.co/BPgXRn8/IMG-0964.jpg) (https://ibb.co/BPgXRn8)
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: oilhed on May 09, 2019, 02:54:34 PM
Do they use those engines for anything else?  Tractor, side by side, motorcycle?  If not, why not?  They run for hours at constant RPMs, not ideal duty.

I've had three outboards - Sears Gamefisher (Eska) 7.5, Merc 9.9 & Evinrude 15.  The Eska was the only one to crap out.  The other two I bought used and sold for same price.
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: swooshdave on May 09, 2019, 03:08:53 PM
Why is it expensive? Because BOAT! It means: Break Out Another Thousand!

A big part of the cost is that the R&D expenses in an outboard motor and drive are similar to those accumulated while developing an engine and transmission for a car. Then the level of technology to build them is similar, but slightly higher for the boat since it has to be operable immersed in water vs cars just getting splashed. But the biggest difference is the sales volume you have to recoup the initial investment. A good car engine design will be produced for 10+ years and used in several models with literal millions of them made. Compare that with this little bit o' news...

https://www.ibinews.com/market-intelligence/us-outboard-engine-sales-reached-a-12-year-high-in-2018/33773.article (https://www.ibinews.com/market-intelligence/us-outboard-engine-sales-reached-a-12-year-high-in-2018/33773.article)

https://www.statista.com/statistics/199983/us-vehicle-sales-since-1951/ (https://www.statista.com/statistics/199983/us-vehicle-sales-since-1951/)


So, in the US in 2018, 278,500 outboards sold versus 17,200,000 automobiles sold.

That's 61.75 automobiles sold vs ONE outboard motor of any size.

I might be wrong... but I doubt I'm THAT wrong.

I believe the other reason for the cost is that they are designed and built to run at constant high rpm. Road vehicles rarely run WOT for miles but how many people jam the throttle open on the boat and go?
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: Lannis on May 09, 2019, 05:09:01 PM


(https://i.ibb.co/4K7ZzCJ/IMG-0967.jpg) (https://ibb.co/4K7ZzCJ)

upload image (https://imgbb.com/upload)



Perhaps you get a quantity discount when you buy 4 of them at a time?
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: bobrebos on May 10, 2019, 04:13:41 AM
Im investigating Tohatsu Outboard motors now (Old Nissan).  Tohatsu is the oldest Japanese manufacturer of outboards, so maybe the quality is there.....Seem to be better priced than the Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha Outboards....
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: s1120 on May 10, 2019, 05:47:32 AM
Im investigating Tohatsu Outboard motors now (Old Nissan).  Tohatsu is the oldest Japanese manufacturer of outboards, so maybe the quality is there.....Seem to be better priced than the Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha Outboards....

they are vary good motors. Their big market is the working boat owners.. guys that are out every day, all year, good or bad weather. They dont always have the fancy stuff some of the names do... they just work.. for a long time.
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: bobrebos on May 10, 2019, 05:50:31 AM
they are vary good motors. Their big market is the working boat owners.. guys that are out every day, all year, good or bad weather. They dont always have the fancy stuff some of the names do... they just work.. for a long time.

Thanks for the info!
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: Kev m on May 10, 2019, 05:59:34 AM
they are vary good motors. Their big market is the working boat owners.. guys that are out every day, all year, good or bad weather. They dont always have the fancy stuff some of the names do... they just work.. for a long time.

Yuppers!  :thumb:
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: Kev m on May 10, 2019, 06:10:27 AM
Do they use those engines for anything else?  Tractor, side by side, motorcycle?  If not, why not?  They run for hours at constant RPMs, not ideal duty.

I've had three outboards - Sears Gamefisher (Eska) 7.5, Merc 9.9 & Evinrude 15.  The Eska was the only one to crap out.  The other two I bought used and sold for same price.

There are a few design similarities between some outboards and other motors. The Suzuki L4s had some similarities to the Geo Tracker/Suzuki Sidekick motors.

But not much.

And there are a lot of reasons.

* They are built vertically so their driveshafts face down.

* They're built compact to fit in those small shrouds.

* They have wet exhausts which makes for interesting attempts at emissions controls. Very few have O2 sensors and no cat-cons.

* There are still lots of 2-strokes, but they use lots of fancy direct injection systems. 40V ram solenoid injectors or triple stage fuel systems that create over 1000 psi. or dual stage systems with on board compressors that combine fuel with high pressure air before spraying it into the combustion chamber.

And these motors run at constant rpm under high loads instead of varying rpm in the ways vehicles with transmissions and traffic do, which often means differences in tuning, powerband, and design.
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: larrys on May 10, 2019, 07:32:52 AM
Perhaps you get a quantity discount when you buy 4 of them at a time?

Hah! I'll ask the owner when I see him this summer. To the OP, you could go vintage, they're pretty cheap.
This is a '58 Evinrude 50HP. First year for OMC's V-Four. I bought it as a running motor for $250.
Larry

(https://i.ibb.co/L9vQJB9/Fat-Fifty.jpg) (https://ibb.co/L9vQJB9)

idyll lyrics (https://poetandpoem.com/Siegfried-Sassoon/Idyll)
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: leafman60 on May 10, 2019, 08:13:25 AM
Outboard Motors

I am very partial to the new Evinrude E-TEC motors.  They're 2-strokes but nothing like the 2-smokes of the past.

http://www.motorcycleconsumernews-digitalmagazine.com/mcnews/august_2018d/MobilePagedArticle.action?articleId=1409603&backTo=collectionSearch#articleId1409603

I came to this point after reading an article in a motorcycle magazine, MCN ! (see above)

Last year I bought a 16' console boat new and had to purchase a 50 HP motor for.  I was proceeding to buy a Yamaha as per my past  purchases until I read that article and then began doing more research.  I bought a new 50 E-TEC and I am impressed.

The new Evinrude flat-out kicks the butt of any 4-stroke I've owned.  It almost jumps out of the water when gunned and will hop to plane in an astoundingly short distance. Mid-range is amazing too.  When I first took a test ride in my boat with my Evinrude dealer, he cautioned me to hold on when he gunned it at mid throttle.  I took that warning with a grain of salt but firmly planted my feet on the floor just in case.  He kicked the throttle and it slung me out of the seat!  Damn.

The 50 Evinrude pushed the boat up to almost 44 MPH.  I called the boat manufacturer and he said something had to be wrong. They never get over about 37 out of it with the 4-strokes. 

Anyway, if you are considering a new motor, do some research.  Lots of Youtube vids are out there too showing drag races of the E-TEC with everything else.

The MCN article goes into how little oil and fuel the new E-TEC consumes.  A full (2 qt) oil tank under the cowling is supposed to last a full season of 50-100 hours of running.  Fuel consumption is 10-15 percent less than the 4-strokes.  My first factory-specified service is 3 years out !  That is basically a gearcase oil change.

There are no valves to adjust or worry about, no belts, no oil changes, none of the 4-stroke items that also add weight to the engine.

The torque is amazing.  A comparable 4-stroke motor of my HP uses a prop with about 11 inch diameter and maybe 15 inch pitch (distance moved in 1 revolution).  My E-TEC is spinning a 13.5 inch diameter prop with a 22 inch pitch.

There is no smoke, very quiet running and polluting discharge is at or less than anything out there.

Even these smaller Evinrude motors come with NMEA protocol.  This allows you to connect to a NMEA-compatible GPS/fish/depth finder and have a full readout of gauges on your electronic screen.

Look into it but ....

HOLD ON.

https://www.evinrude.com/en-US

.
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: Kev m on May 10, 2019, 08:24:20 AM
Outboard Motors

I am very partial to the new Evinrude E-TEC motors.  They're 2-strokes but nothing like the 2-smokes of the past.

http://www.motorcycleconsumernews-digitalmagazine.com/mcnews/august_2018d/MobilePagedArticle.action?articleId=1409603&backTo=collectionSearch#articleId1409603

I came to this point after reading an article in a motorcycle magazine, MCN ! (see above)

Last year I bought a 16' console boat new and had to purchase a 50 HP motor for.  I was proceeding to buy a Yamaha as per my past  purchases until I read that article and then began doing more research.  I bought a new 50 E-TEC and I am impressed.

The new Evinrude flat-out kicks the butt of any 4-stroke I've owned.  It almost jumps out of the water when gunned and will hop to plane in an astoundingly short distance. Mid-range is amazing too.  When I first took a test ride in my boat with my Evinrude dealer, he cautioned me to hold on when he gunned it at mid throttle.  I took that warning with a grain of salt but firmly planted my feet on the floor just in case.  He kicked the throttle and it slung me out of the seat!  Damn.

The 50 Evinrude pushed the boat up to almost 44 MPH.  I called the boat manufacturer and he said something had to be wrong. They never get over about 37 out of it with the 4-strokes. 

Anyway, if you are considering a new motor, do some research.  Lots of Youtube vids are out there too showing drag races of the E-TEC with everything else.

The MCN article goes into how little oil and fuel the new E-TEC consumes.  A full (2 qt) oil tank under the cowling is supposed to last a full season of 50-100 hours of running.  Fuel consumption is 10-15 percent less than the 4-strokes.  My first factory-specified service is 3 years out !  That is basically a gearcase oil change.

There are no valves to adjust or worry about, no belts, no oil changes, none of the 4-stroke items that also add weight to the engine.

The torque is amazing.  A comparable 4-stroke motor of my HP uses a prop with about 11 inch diameter and maybe 15 inch pitch (distance moved in 1 revolution).  My E-TEC is spinning a 13.5 inch diameter prop with a 22 inch pitch.

There is no smoke and polluting discharge is at or less than anything out there.

HOLD ON.

Spot on post!

I ran an 01 90 hp Evinrude DI (FICHT) motor on our Silverline 1600SS (16' Bay boat) for more than a decade completely trouble free with nothing but spark plug, prop, and impeller changes.

The E-Tecs can even winterize themselves (fog themselves).

Of all the DI Outboards out there I think the electronic ram injection on the Evinrudes was the most simple and robust solution. No need for air-fuel rails or three stages of fuel pumps. They're very good motors!
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: fossil on May 10, 2019, 11:12:25 AM
1) about Tohatsu: A lot of brands use the smaller Tohatsus (up to 15 hp). Mercury / Mariner, even Evinrude, and as I have read, Honda (but the bigger Tohatsus then are made by Honda, and this deal is good for both brands). Some Tohatsus have one design flaw, the thermostat can only be swapped when the cylinder head is removed. Ask your dealer if that is really so! They can be seen in the professional maritime world quite often.

2) about Evinrude: I have been a fan of the ´Rudes for decades now. Since around 2003 (!) they build the E-TECs. It is proven technology. The 25 / 30 hp especially is lighter than its counterparts, it has more displacement plus the additional 2-stroke - grunt. The tiller can be brought into any position, even for left-handed pilots. It should easily be the best engine out there. And even for me as a German it is important: They are all built in the USA.

And yes, the engine is not cheap. But the need for maintenance (especially dealer maintenance in the warranty time) is extremely low.
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: leafman60 on May 10, 2019, 02:06:39 PM
Fossil makes a good point. The Evinrudes are USA-made.  Yamaha, Mercury and most others are made in China now except for the very large motors.

.
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: Siamese on May 10, 2019, 03:15:51 PM
Marine engines work hard.  Imagine running your Guzzi at 3/4 throttle all day like a boater does.  Top gear would have you going 90+.    Now, imagine running your Guzzi in saltwater.  It's a tough life. 

As long as there are multiple manufactures competing in a free market, competition should keep things in line.  Unless you want to engage in conspiracy theories. 

I have a gripe with the small engines.  My Evinrude Light Twin 3 horse was made in about 1956 (I got it in 1960), and was a smooth running twin cylinder.  Rugged.  I used it until 2013, when I sold it to a relative.  A modern 3 horse is a junky little one cylinder with much more noise and vibration.  When you're holding onto a tiller, you can't get very far from the engine, and the old Evinrude was pleasant to run all afternoon.  The modern 3 horse with all it's noise and vibration is obnoxious and makes you want to toss it overboard.  Last time I looked, you don't get into a twin cylinder until 8 horsepower.   
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: Lannis on May 10, 2019, 03:38:19 PM
My Evinrude Light Twin 3 horse was made in about 1956 (I got it in 1960), and was a smooth running twin cylinder.  Rugged.  I used it until 2013, when I sold it to a relative.  A modern 3 horse is a junky little one cylinder with much more noise and vibration.  When you're holding onto a tiller, you can't get very far from the engine, and the old Evinrude was pleasant to run all afternoon.  The modern 3 horse with all it's noise and vibration is obnoxious and makes you want to toss it overboard. 

I get the impression that small engines are rated differently than they used to be.

Our David Bradley two wheeled garden tractor that my Dad bought in 1951 and we used until 2011 had a "Five Horsepower" Briggs engine.   That engine was huge.   Rope start, big oil bath air filter, and I'd like to measure how tall that thing was and how much it weighed but there was a lot of iron in it.

"Five Horsepower" engines now are nothing like that.   Little light tinny things, and there's NO WAY that one of those engines would pull a turning plow or a heavy cart at the rate that that Briggs would, even though they're "rated" 5 or 6 horsepower.

Since Kevm "writes the books" (or manuals) on such things, maybe he knows for sure, but my impression is that we are measuring something very different, whether it be little outboards or engines for equipment ....

Lannis
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: Aaron D. on May 10, 2019, 03:52:15 PM
Not really-like old tractor/utility engines they were made big, made lots of torque at low rpm. HP ratings for many older engines were taken at 1800, now 3600 tends to be the default.

I've had 2 18 HP tractors, one an 850cc Onan, the other a 450cc Vanguard. Torque curves are really different!
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: Lannis on May 10, 2019, 03:58:42 PM
Not really-like old tractor/utility engines they were made big, made lots of torque at low rpm. HP ratings for many older engines were taken at 1800, now 3600 tends to be the default.

I've had 2 18 HP tractors, one an 850cc Onan, the other a 450cc Vanguard. Torque curves are really different!

I guess the point is that no one today would equip a device meant to pull a plow or push a boat at speed with a "five horsepower" engine.   And that thing would pull, too, jack ..... I'd love to hook it to a modern "18 HP" tractor and have a little tractor pull ...

Lannis
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: twowheeladdict on May 10, 2019, 04:08:57 PM
I was thinking of getting a new 30hp motor for my fishing boat (16'aluminum, small old boat)  Was waningt a white Suzuki like below.  4800$!!!!!  Geezzzzz   :weiner:


https://www.overtons.com/suzuki-30-hp-outboard-motor-model-df30athlw2-354695.html?CAWELAID=120071730000278113&s_kwcid=msnsearch__&msclkid=947fb707488b1dd533aaebd5a432ff12

What got my goat was when I had a 12 foot row boat and a 13 foot Gheenoe.  Neither needed to be registered, but then I had a 4 hp gas engine that I wanted to use with either boat.  I now had to register each boat even though I only had one motor.  Crazy!  They figure out the best way to get your money. 
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: bobrebos on May 11, 2019, 09:45:37 AM
This Evinrude seems like about 1500 bucks cheaper than the Suzuki...….Hmmmmm

http://outboardmotorssale.com/products/2018-Evinrude-E%252dTEC-30-HP-E30DRSL-Outboard-Motor.html
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: Sasquatch Jim on May 11, 2019, 09:59:38 AM
 It is because they want more money! That is the only reason.for exorbitant prices.
 They know that people consider their luxuries to be more expensive and so they play to that psychology.
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: twowheeladdict on May 11, 2019, 12:39:51 PM
My ultimate nightmare "vacation".   A cruise ship docking at some Caribbean port with 4 others, 12,000 people hitting the resort at one time, then hop back on and go to the next one ....

Lucky for me, Fay has zero interest in cruises, for a good reason.   We went on board the USS North Carolina museum ship, docked in the harbor at Wilmington.   At the time, the ship was "silted in" at the harbor so it was actually sitting on the harbor bottom.   As we walked the deck, with the breeze rustling and little waves and catspaws ruffling the harbor water, she stopped and held on to a rail and said "This ship is moving and I'm getting a little queasy." 

Now if there is any object in the world, along with the Pyramids and Ayer's Rock, that is NOT MOVING, it's that battleship.   But just seeing the motion of the water starting getting her a bit 'off'.   

Maybe a bass boat up on plane would be OK for her, though.

Lannis

I agree.  Went on one 3 day cruise.  By the second day the ship became very small.  I decided cruise ships are for city folk or those who would rather be city folk.  Drinking, gambling, shows, food 24/7.  Overindulgence at its finest. 
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: fossil on May 12, 2019, 08:56:40 AM
This Evinrude seems like about 1500 bucks cheaper than the Suzuki...….Hmmmmm

http://outboardmotorssale.com/products/2018-Evinrude-E%252dTEC-30-HP-E30DRSL-Outboard-Motor.html

But be careful! It seems the offer includes only long shaft engines (20"). Look whether this is correct for your boat! For most small and lightweight boats a shaft lenght of 15" would be correct. A modern Evinrude likes to run mounted very high. The better the propellor (stainles steel...) the higher.
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: Penderic on May 12, 2019, 09:46:45 AM
Add a bit of flight capability and watch the prices reach the sky!  :rolleyes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMWh4W1C2PM

 :angry: Too loud! You're scaring the fish!
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: Penderic on May 12, 2019, 09:58:11 AM
(https://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag77/Penderic/Penderic008/kitty-hawk-flyer-prototype-promo-test-light-video-8_zpslqqqo6m1.jpg)
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: bobrebos on May 12, 2019, 01:34:07 PM
But be careful! It seems the offer includes only long shaft engines (20"). Look whether this is correct for your boat! For most small and lightweight boats a shaft lenght of 15" would be correct. A modern Evinrude likes to run mounted very high. The better the propellor (stainles steel...) the higher.

According to video how to's on line you are to measure the transom height which I did.  My transom height was 20.5 inches which according to the videos translates into my boat needing a 20" shaft length motor.  Hope im getting the correct info. 
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: Muzz on May 12, 2019, 03:28:16 PM
My 14.5 foot fizzboat has a 1985 40hp Johnson on the back.  Someone has fitted it to a electric rise and tilt system from a 130hp Johnson, which makes it a lot more manageable for beach launching and retrieving. It's actually a petroil model which was re-released at the same time as the Ficht oil injection ones came out.

The only problem is, with 3+ adults on board it struggles to get on the plane.  The one I would love to replace it with would be the 50hp E-tech Evinrude. Emissions claimed to be actually lower than a 4 stroke, very economical with gobs of low down torque and all in a lighter weight package than 4 strokes.

I asked the mobile mechanic who I get to service it for me about the E-tech line and he said they seem to be very good indeed; at the time I asked him he had yet to do anything mechanical to one.  These would all be motors run exclusively in salt water.
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: Lannis on May 12, 2019, 03:39:29 PM
(https://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag77/Penderic/Penderic008/kitty-hawk-flyer-prototype-promo-test-light-video-8_zpslqqqo6m1.jpg)

The future is here!   I always wondered what it would look like.    :food:

But unstable, expensive, short range, and impractical is NOT what I was hoping for ....  :sad:
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: wrbix on May 12, 2019, 07:21:02 PM
Boats and airplanes - by someone’s definition only owned by rich people.....so.....l et’s jack up the prices
Title: Re: NGC. Whining time....Why are boat outboard motors so expensive???
Post by: fossil on May 13, 2019, 04:53:37 AM
Very good information you can get here: https://www.etecownersgroup.com/