BEST PONTOON BOAT MOTOR?

[Ron Burgundy]

This year, the Toyota Tundra and Ford F-Series will be eligible for the AMI because both have 75 percent domestic parts content, according to current data...

[screwball]

This year, the Toyota Tundra and Ford F-Series will be eligible for the AMI because both have 75 percent domestic parts content, according to current data...

That is absolutely true! In fact, Toyota, Nisson, Honda, etc all assemble their cars here in Ohio and Tennessee.

BUT

All corporate profits go back to Tokyo where they are reinvested, not here. The Emperor thanks you for your purchase

[Bamaman]

Screwball:

I hate to say it, but Mercury Outboards, 30 Hp and less, are made by Tohatsu in Japan. Mercury Marine builds 40, 50 and 60 horsepower outboard motors in Suzhou, China.
Mercury manufactures engines over 75 horsepower in their Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Brunswick cannot pay U.S. labor rates and manufacture the under 75 horsepower motors profitably, so they're subcontracted to other companies. The motors Brunswick makes in the U.S. are high dollar/high profit motors.

And their 150 Fourstroke is a very competitive motor and will be a force in the pontoon boat retail market. Thankfully dealers don't charge $3K-$4K to setup these motors (like Verados), and they can be run with conventional cable throttles and regular non-electronic gauges.

Speaking on where Japanese auto companies keep their profits. Much of their profits continue to be in new manufacturing equipment, constructing buildings and expanding their facilities in the U.S. Toyota builds auto engines in Huntsville, and has a huge expansion in process. Honda's spent hundreds of millions expanding their Lincoln, AL facilities in the last year. Mercedes is turning their Vance, AL factory into one of the premier auto factories in the world, and has invested billions. The list goes on and on. Foreign companies continue to spend big, big $ in this country--from the profits they made selling cars that people want.

[Ron Burgundy]

I don't think the Emperor got much from my used 2004 50HP Yamaha purchase.

Here...now everyone is happy.

[screwball]

WOW, Open mouth, insert foot. I really need to check my facts before I jump on my band wagon and go into a full blown rant. I had no idea Merc 'out sourced' all of it's small engines. OK, lesson learned. I do apologize for fat-mouthing all the Japanese motors, I'm old and get cranky sometimes.

[badmoonrising]

Mercruiser I/O engines are now made in Mexico as well. My '99 3.0 liter is US made. The 2006 3.0 liter in my Party Cruiser says "Hecho En Mexico" on the block

[playcat]

My Volvo 5.0 uses an American-made block and was assembled in the US of A. Go figure...

[Backwoods5]

The ETECs have a means to self winterize incorporated within the engine. Not sure about the others. Being your from the cold country, this maybe of interest. Works great for me as my rig stays stored in my boathouse over the winter months.

[hyper]

Mercury 2 stroke is all I will ever need. there has been more of them running for the past 20 years than all of the 4 strokes combined. I love my 2 stroke!

[Just Laxin]

Mercury 2 stroke is all I will ever need. there has been more of them running for the past 20 years than all of the 4 strokes combined. I love my 2 stroke!

Have the 4 strokes o/b's been around that long?

[yellowk9]

Gee, if you put a Yamaha, Honda, Tohatsu, or any Japanese engine on your boat, you can park it right next to your Toyota, Honda, Kia, or whatever. When the American economy goes down the toilet, DON'T ASK WHY.

I have a Merc. Most of the other 'go fast' boats I've had were American Powered. Parked right next to my Ford truck. They all perform about the same, cost isn't that much different so why not buy the American engine. Mercury Marine has been around for years and has alwaymanufactureded quality products.

Oh, my boat is parked right next to our Harley Davidson street bikes, and Polaris Quads. Haven't owned a foreign vehicle in years.

I think your Mercury may be made in China. I believe the newer models in your HP range are all made there now.

(NEVERMIND: I just saw where others had pointed this out to you already )

[REPETE]

My Honda 4-stroke is by far the best I have ever had. LOVE it.

[Bamaman]

It's nice to say that an industry is full of perfectly acceptable products--Mercury, Yamaha, Suzuki, ETEC--two and four strokes. There's something for everyone.

And it's nice to have boat dealerships all over the U.S. Unfortunately, not all brands are represented in every retail market, however.

Wikipedia says the following about Mercury engines: Mercury Outboards, 30 Hp and less, are made by Tohatsu in Japan. Mercury Marine builds 40, 50 and 60 horsepower outboard motors in Suzhou, China. Mercury also manufactures engines over 75 horsepower in their Fond du Lac, Wisconsin hub in the USA.

In other words, Mercury subcontracts their manufacturing to others under 75 hp. They manufacture larger, more profitable engines in the U.S.