4/2 Str. Survey - Results

[Jacques321]

Well, here they are: Interesting and not entirely unexpected. Even if we'd had double the votes I don't think the percentages would have changed much, perhaps 1-3% deviation here and there.<br /><br />Type of Motor you would buy next spring?<br /><br />4 Stroke...........................43.3%<br /><br />2 Stroke...........................35%<br /><br />2 Stroke DFI/HPDI..................21.7%<br /><br />Brand name you would choose?<br /><br />Johnson/Suzuki.....................26.9%<br /><br />Yamaha.............................25%<br /><br />Mercury............................23%<br /><br />Evinrude...........................19.2%<br /><br />Honda..............................5.9%<br /><br />Here's my take on this? Bear in mind we had very few votes. This is just my opinion on this little survey.<br /><br />With regards to the type of engine we would buy, we can safely say that 4 strokes are drawing a lot of attention on the market. At this time 4 strokes are hot and in demand. The attractive attributes of these engines being quietness, fuel efficiency, reliability and let's not forget their environmental friendliness. Some of you on this board have voiced your opinion on this and think that the environment is not an issue when purchasing an OB, and I disagree on that. People who boat, fish and enjoy water sports are often the people most aware and conscious of the adverse effects of pollution on their environment.<br /><br />Two strokes (classic). Well, what can we say here aside from the fact that it's hard to let go of something that's worked so well for so long. Based on this small survey a lot of you would still buy a good old two stroke, it's safe, easy to repair, it's reliable and very serviceable in most areas. Sure they pollute a lot more than the newer engines but for many of you I believe that is not a big issue yet. Two strokes still have their place and will have their place in the market for some time to come.<br /><br />Two stroke Direct or pressure injected.<br />Well, this category fell a little bit behind the others. Not entirely unexpected though. When these engines were rushed to market in the mid to late nineties followed by the OMC collapse they were riddled with mechanical and electronic problems. Consumers were faced with a choice between the Ficht or the infamous Optimax engines. And so the race is on to improve the image of this technology which for all intents and purposes is just as clean and quiet as the 4 stroke.<br /><br />Brand Choice<br /><br />As we can see these results are pretty much all over the map with the exception of Honda which I find a little perplexing as the Honda name has always been synonymous with quality and reliability, regardless it was not chosen as a preferred brand by most of you who voted on this Board.<br />In most cases consumers can decide on a preferred brand/builder and then decide on one of two or even three types of engine from the same company. Good examples are Mercury, who offer Optimax, Classics and 4 Strokes, ditto for Yamaha and Bombardier. Out there on their own is Honda with only a 4 stroke engine application available. Could this be the reason they finished so low in our survey? who knows?

 

[Navigator]

Re: 4/2 Str. Survey - Results

I think the numbers are low on Honda because they are not as widespread as the other makers. They flat out cost more than most other brands and the dealers are few and far between, thus eliminating themselves from a large portion of the buying public. Most people typically wont travel 100 miles to see an outboard that costs more than the ones locally. Its just human nature. Honda owners, by the most part, are a small but loyal crowd. Someday, maybe Honda will start aggressively pushing their outboards and their dealer network, but until then, the numbers will remain low. As for 2 strokes...I still dont know why Honda never got into them. They certainly did in the dirt bike arena!<br /><br />Just my few cents, I'm not trying to be an advertisement for Honda. I currently am a Honda, Merc and Evinrude Owner. <br /><br />Nav

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: 4/2 Str. Survey - Results

Read a good article in the Boat and Motor Dealer magizine the other day. A lot of customers are going for the new four stroke engines but it remains to be seen on the cost of repairs to them. The typical four stroke is more labor intensive than the two stroke and repair bills could be out of sight for any major repairs. The dealer who was a Yamaha dealer spoke of a four stroke unit that was dropped in shipment to their shop. The cost for parts and labor to repair the unit led it to be scrapped. Having not been in any of the newer four strokes and most of us haven't, its going to hard to say what repair bills may be in the future. Those that got sticker shock when they bought the engine might ought to get use to the feeling.

 

[Forktail]

Re: 4/2 Str. Survey - Results

Maybe all the Honda boys are out fish'n? <br /><br />I think Honda was the first with a 4-stroke outboard about 25 years ago. They really started the 4-stroke era. There's lots of them here and they are a quality product....something many consider worth the price. Honda's specialty has always been 4-strokes whether it be generators, lawnmowers, snowblowers, bikes, or cars. They're some of the best.<br /><br />Capt Ken, some of those articles are very speculative. What repairs? I don't find an abundance of failures and very many maintenance issues. Most 4-stroke manufacturers feel so confident about the dependability of their product that they offer a better warranty over the 2-stroke. We have enough experience in the automotive and aircraft industry to know what to expect from these 4-strokes. And they are living up to their expectation....and then some.