ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, February 25, 1996 TAG: 9602280003
SECTION: BOAT SHOW PAGE: BS-11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BILL COCHRAN OUTDOOR EDITOR
Few things in the world of boating are changing more rapidly than outboard engines.
The buzz phrases include ``electronic fuel injection (EFI),'' ``4-stroke'' and ``direct fuel injection (DFI).''
The changes are being driven by EPA demands that the pollution emissions standard for two-cycle engines be upgraded.
The spin-off isn't just a cleaner environment. The new engines run better and drink less fuel. They received an impressive endorsement from Frank Sargeant, boating editor of Bassmaster Magazine, who said the new breed of engines will benefit boaters ``more than any engineering changes in the last 40 years.''
There are several examples in the 1996 lineup, but most appear to be a year or two away from dealer showrooms.
This leaves buyers in a bit of a dilemma: Should you buy an engine now on the market or wait for one of the new-generation products?
"There is some really good stuff coming out in the next several years,'' said Mike Fielder of Advantage Marine of Roanoke. One is direct fuel injections, he said.
So do you wait for DFI?
Lee Arnold, of Smith Mountain Yacht Club, believes there is good reason to buy a current model, especially if you are on a tight budget.
``Price could be a reason to buy this year rather than next year,'' said Arnold. ``I am going to say you are going to easily look at prices [for new-generation engines] that are 20 percent or more.''
Among the trends this year, electronic fuel injection has eased a notch down into the world of smaller outboard engines with Suzuki's new 115 EFI.
This means owners of smaller bass boats, flats boats and other high-performance hulls can reap the benefits of electronic fuel injection in a 115 horsepower rating, said Dick Stiff, of Halesford Marine, on Smith Mountain Lake.
``When we entered the bass market with our V-6 Bass 150 EFI back in 1992, the response was incredible,'' said Cam Smith Arnold, marketing manager for Suzuki. ``We realized, however, that there was a huge number of bass and flats fishermen with boats in the 15 to 17 foot range, who were also hungry for Suzuki EFI performance. Well, we're happy to say that feeding time is here.''
Honda has beefed up the power options of its 4-stroke outboards. The new horsepower ratings of 75 and 90 mean the cleaner, quieter, more fuel economical 4-stroke outboards are moving into the higher power brackets.
Leo Teass of Paradise Boating on Smith Mountain Lake said the bigger Hondas are going onto some of the ProSport deck boats he sells, and bass boat operators also are beginning to take a serious look at them.
The initial cost on a 4-stroke engine is more, but Honda says its 90 horsepower engine cuts fuel consumption 50 percent over comparable 2-stroke engines.
The 1996 Honda lineup also introduces a 90 horsepower and 50 horsepower outboard version ready for jet drive conversion.
Johnson and Evinrude have four 4-stroke engines in their lineup, including a new 8 horsepower. The largest is 15 horsepower
Mariner Outboards has introduced a 50 horsepower, 4-stroke outboard, and has made extensive improvements to its 9.9 horsepower The 50 comes in a tiller handle model, designed for anglers who troll for muskie and walleye in the northern regions of the United States The tiller lets an angler work from the back of the boat. The 4-stroke engines are designed for long, trouble-free trolling.
This spring, Johnson and Evinrude are expected to have direct injection on a two-cycle 150 and 90. Oil won't have to be mixed with gas; instead, lubrication comes through an internal passage to the crank bearings and wristpins.
Mercury/Mariner is expected to be close behind with it own version of direct injection scheduled for a midyear introduction. It will be in a 200 horsepower rating.
Mercury/Mariner call its 200 the first in a series of new DFIs. The engines will be characterized by a high pressure mixture of fuel and air injected directly into each engine cylinder. The result, company officials say, is a smoother running engine, greatly improved fuel economy and a reduction of hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions that exceed government proposals for the year 2006.
The system adapts the automotive direct fuel injection technology originally developed by Orbital Engine Corp. of Australia. The auto and boat companies began working together in 1987.
LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: HONDA. Four-stroke engines are moving up in horsepowerby CNBratings, as shown by this 90-horsepower Honda.