what year did IMPORT outboards start to show up in usa?

[phatmanmike]

i ask this cause every old motor i see, older than 1985-ish , is an omc or a merc, even a few chryslers... but what about old yamahas, suzukis, nissans, hondas...<br /><br />were they not being imported yet or are they just not around anymore?<br /><br />mike

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: what year did IMPORT outboards start to show up in usa?

^

 

[DJ]

Re: what year did IMPORT outboards start to show up in usa?

The imports came on in earnest in the mid eighties with Yamaha making the biggest splash.<br /><br />An interesting note. Yamaha was sued for patent infringement by OMC in the late eighties, Yamaha was found GUILTY on close to 100 counts.<br /><br />Monetary damages could not really be sought because Yamaha is not a US company. The same rules apply today.<br /><br />It's not a level playing field. But, nobody cares.

 

[BillP]

Re: what year did IMPORT outboards start to show up in usa?

Honda 4 strokes arrived in the mid 70s.

 

[oregonducker]

Re: what year did IMPORT outboards start to show up in usa?

What about the British Seagulls or whatever they're called? I know they've been in the US a long time but maybe they were never actually marketed here. Just kind of migrated over with their owners or something. Are there or have there ever been Seagull dealers in the US?

 

[DJ]

Re: what year did IMPORT outboards start to show up in usa?

True, there have been imports around long before the eighties. However, they were in VERY small numbers and many did not make it, in this market.<br /><br />Yamaha had the biggest impact as far as breaking into the market.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: what year did IMPORT outboards start to show up in usa?

Anybody remember the Sprint motors? Came over in the late 60's early 70's. Not-so-cleverly disguised by ............

 

[DJ]

Re: what year did IMPORT outboards start to show up in usa?

DH,<br /><br />Do you mean Sprint or Spirit?<br /><br />I believe Spirits' were Zuki's.

 

[BillP]

Re: what year did IMPORT outboards start to show up in usa?

I remember the Sprite...Clinton that is.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: what year did IMPORT outboards start to show up in usa?

Spirit....gotta quit looking at my phone when it rings....

 

[DJ]

Re: what year did IMPORT outboards start to show up in usa?

Aha, am I right-DH?<br /><br />As I recall, the Zuki's that came in after the Spirts were identical, except paint, decals, etc.<br /><br />Heck, I even think the paint was the same.