Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 24, 1991 TAG: 9102250394
SECTION: BOAT SHOW PAGE: 6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BILL COCHRAN OUTDOOR EDITOR
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Johnson and Evinrude are out with new 150 and 175 V6s that are about 30 percent smaller than conventional engines of equal output.
When a measuring stick is put to them, you find powerheads that are 4 inches smaller in length, 4 inches narrower and a half-inch shorter. They weigh 365 pounds, which is several pounds under some engines with less horsepower.
Johnson and Evinrude say the new offerings aren't just smaller and lighter. They are quicker, quieter and tougher. And easier to service.
"It's at last possible to carry on normal conservation in a bass boat while zipping down the lake," said Frank Sargeant, who tested the 150 for Bassmaster Magazine.
What's more, for those who like to do their own mechanical work, the engines can be disassembled from the top end down to the block with only a 3/8 and 1/2 socket wrench and a Phillips screwdriver, Sargeant said.
The outboards are the result of five years of effort when Outboard Marine Corp., the parent company of Johnson and Evinrude, took a team approach to determine what people wanted in an outboard motor. Included in the fact finding were customers, fishermen, OMC dealers - even competitive dealers - along with service people and engineers.
The result is what many boating experts are calling real innovations at a time when the marine market is slow.
Also making a lot of noise about quietness are Honda's two new midrange 4-cycle engines rated at 35 and 45 horsepower. They are reported to be misers when it comes to fuel use, to be quiet compared to 2-cycle engines and to be friends of the environment in cleanness of operation.
While they remain too small for serious consideration by bass and ski boat operators, that might not be the case for engines of future lineups.
Here's a look at the 1991 outboards:
\ EVINRUDE
Evinrude is calling its new 150 and 175 Vs the Spitfire series. The engine block is produced by what the manufacturer calls the "lost foam process," which results in a smaller block with fewer pieces, joints and gaskets than die-cast engine blocks.
The modular design means an experienced mechanic can strip the engine quickly.
While the outside package is smaller, small enough for a competitor's engine cowl to fit over the new engine coil with room to spare, the displacement is up. Last year's 149.4 cubic-inch displacement in the 150 is now 158.
Evinrude has a new 2.3-horsepower outboard that weighs a scant 27 pounds. Also new is a 250-horsepower model and a new series of jet-power engines rated at 35, 65, 80 and 105 horsepower.
This gives Evinrude buyers power options that range from 2.3 to 300 horsepower.
\ FORCE
A division of Brunswick Marine, Force Outboards has a new three-cylinder, 70-horsepower model to fill the gap between its 50 and 90.
Also new is the fact that Force, Mercury, Mariner and MerCruiser have been placed under a single unit called the Brunswick Marine Power Division. That means more Merc components will appear on Force units.
An example, the 70-horsepower Force has Mercury's Thunderbolt ignition system for quicker starts, and a new alternator for more charging current.
New from Force is a Dual Exhaust system on the larger engines, which channels exhaust through the trim tab as well as the standard prop outlet. The result is a quieter operation and less power-draining back pressure.
\ HONDA
Honda is moving into the mid-power range with sleek-looking new outboards rated at 35 and 45 horsepower.
The four-cycle engines offer Honda's traditional quiet, smoke-free operation and maximum fuel efficiency, traits that are expected to be well received by environmentalists. In fact, if pollution standards are forced on marine manufacturers, as they have been on automobile makers, Honda will be well ahead of the pack.
The 45 weighs 203 pounds; the 35, 194 pounds.
Other engines in the Honda line include horsepower ratings of 2, 5, 8, 9.9 and 15.
\ JOHNSON
Johnson's brawny new 150 and 175, which are small on size and big on performance, are called the SilverStar Series. Included are models designed for the bass tournament circuit called FastStrike.
That name takes on special significance considering that the engine reaches top speed in a quick punch.
Almost overlooked in the hype over the SilverStar Series is the fact that Johnson has a new line of jet drive outboards designed to take serious fishermen to shallow water areas.
Johnson says the engines will operate in water less than a foot deep, which means they can be taken through white-water rapids and over shallow sand bars. The horsepower ratings of the jet drives are 35, 65, 80 and 105.
Also new is a 250-outboard engine that gives the owners of larger boats still another power option. Many such boats now on the market have hulls with horsepower ratings of 250 to 500.
Johnson's outboard line now includes horsepower ratings from a new 2.3 outboard to a 300 horsepower.
\ MARINER
A new 275-horsepower engine represents the most powerful model ever for Mariner Outboards. Also new for 1991 is a 200 V6 along with three-cylinder 50 and 60 horsepower models.
The 275 is developed from a 207-aluminum block cast by Cosworth Casting of England. It is designed for offshore fishing and performance boating.
The new 200 has a larger cubic-inch block, is designed to start instantly, idle smoothly and operate quieter.
Mariner is calling its 50 and 60 models a "new generation" of engines. The block is cast via a new manufacturing process with the heads and covers integrated into one piece.
\ MERCURY
Two new three-cylinder, loop-charged outboards rated at 50 and 60 horsepower are the featured attraction in the Mercury Outboards line.
Both engines have 51.8 cubic inches of piston displacement, compared with 49.8 in the older style 50 and 60. They also have integral oil injection. A three-quarter gallon reservoir under the cowl is fed into the gasoline at the fuel pump by a mechanical oil pump driven off a gear on the engine crankshaft.
Mercury also has a redesigned 200 V6 that was introduced earlier in the model year. Its 153-cubic inch displacement is a boost over last year's model.
Engine choices from the company range from 3 to 275 horsepower.
\ NISSAN
This manufacturer pretty much is sticking with last year's models, the largest a 140.
Nissan engines carry a two-year warranty, and the larger models feature oil injection from a tank hidden under the cowl.
\ SUZUKI
A midyear 1990 introduction has given Suzuki its most powerful outboard yet, a 225 horsepower with a new electric fuel-injection system.
Suzuki's '91 lineup includes engines from 2 to 225 horsepower, including jet-drive models.
\ TOHATSU
New here is a three-cylinder 50 horsepower that features automatic oil injection.
Other engines range from 2.5 to 140 horsepower.
\ YAMAHA
A new Pro V 200 is aimed at tournament anglers and performance skiers. The engine is expected to attract the attention of tournament fishermen who operate big rigs on big waters. It also is going onto off-shore sportfishing rigs that run twin engines.
A Pro V 150 is built on the same block of the 200 and refinements this year are said to produce an additional 10 percent in output.
Since not all fishing boats are used in the same way, Yamaha also has introduced a Pro 60 for anglers who like to fish for walleye and pike. It is tiller-steered and has power trim and tilt.
Yamaha's line includes horsepower ratings from 2 to 250. Jet drives are available in ratings from 28 to 140.
by CNB