When is Merc going to 4 strokes?

[mercpower]

I know this has been on here before, but i can't find it. Is it Dec31, 2005 that Merc ends production of 2 strokes? Someone told me that it was 2004.

[Scream And Fly]

2006 will be the end of standard 2-stroke engines in the USA. High-pressure fuel injected/low-emission 2-stroke outboards (Mercury OptiMax, Yamaha HPDI, Evinrude E-Tec) will still be produced.

Greg

[BLACKBIRD]

It seems that the consumer body just can't seem to understand that there is an "inbetween" model motor. The "DFI" (direct fuel injection) so many customers I talk with only think that there is " 2 stroke " and " 4 stroke" . I was actually at and dealership that handled both Honda (yuk) and Mercury. I was suprise beond believe to find myself arguing to the motor salesman(girl) that the optimax is ,yes, a "2 stroke " but not the same and a regular 2 stroke. She preached to me that the Honda was the environmental answer with great fuel economy and performance, and that the Mercury Optimax was a gas guzzling 2 stroke. I thought for a moment that maybe she was just pro Honda. But infact she would have rather sold us the Optis.

I wonder how often this kinda thing happens in other dealerships. Maybe this is why DFI motors are not getting the sales that they deserve. personaly I don't think that the 4 stroke is the answer to the outboard. Even with the new Merc Verodo(?) It may have the latest in outboard tech ,,,, but ,,, MAN what a FAT cow! 678lbs can't put that on my bath tub :D

[BarryStrawn]

Originally posted by BLACKBIRD
MAN what a FAT cow!

Cow? More like a Steer or Ox. For you city folk, a Steer is a castrated male and an Ox is a steer trained to work as a draft animal. Hummmm - Instead of Black Max, the Verado must be the Black Ox.:)

[BLACKBIRD]

I stand corrected!! The verado is deffinently an OX!! :eek:

[PARKER RABE]

jeff , where u been , fritz is looking for u ...

[BLACKBIRD]

been here working like a dog! just had a moment to be on scream and fly thought i'd pop in a few rounds. Got Fritz here doin the ladder dance. he has an audience forming now:D

[outboard-rob]

4 strokes just plain suck,after the 2 stroke dies i'll find another hobby.

[Scream And Fly]

Don't knock the Verado unti you go for a ride in a boat powered by one. I did, and it's very impressive. Actually, I'm very excited about the platform.

Also, the OptiMax 2.5XS just went into production, and those outboards will be around for a while.

Greg

[outboard-rob]

IF MERC CAN REDUCE THE WEIGHT A TAD THE 250 XS OPTI LOOKS LIKE A GREAT ENGINE. I AM JUST SO USED TO THE SIMPLICITY,LIGHT WEIGHT AND PERFORMANCE OF THE 2.4 AND 2.5 POWERHEADS ITS JUST DAMN HARD TO THINK ABOUT ANYTHING BETTER. AS FAR AS THE VERADO I DONT KNOW WHAT THE THING WEIGHS BUT IT LOOKS LIKE ITS ON PAR WITH A FREIGHTLINER. WHO KNOWS ONLY TIME WILL TELL. NOT TRYING TO BASH ANYONE,JUST MY 2 CENTS........ROB

[10.5' Tunnel]

Because of the weight and price tag of these new high performance 4 strokes, it looks like it is starting to make more sense to go i/o powered. I'm just hoping and praying that things change, and it looks like the verado is a step in the right direction.

[BarryStrawn]

I hope I didn't excessivly offend any of the Mercury faithful with the Black Ox nickname suggestion. How about FAT MAX:)