Japanese outboards are gone

[JDB]

At least the Popular Yamahas are gone for quite a while - probably others too.

Price scalping has begun.

If you've got a boat on order with a Yamaha - good luck.

Ask me how I know

JD

[hinklecrew]

how do you know?

[rrhodes]

Yes, How do you know?

[JDB]

~4 weeks ago I ordered a new Bennington with a Yamaha offshore 300. Now the dealer is telling me there are no engines available. Bennington Rep says no engines available. (Yamaha)
Bennington rep is trying to talk me into a Mercury but thats not gonna happen. I'm an engine freak and I wont settle for less than the New Yamaha.

Called Yamaha USA outboard cust service and the guy says - no engines! He said that several of their suppliers have had their facilities severely damaged and several were completely wiped out.
No production date in sight!

Attempted to pick one up off of E-bay and the seller raised the price while I was watching by $1000.00!

Most importantly, I feel terrible for even whining about not being able to get my new boat.
I can only imagine what the people of Japan have gone through and may continue to deal with for years to come.

I should be thankful to have an old, reliable pontoon boat

May God bless all those affected by the disaster in Japan.

[rrhodes]

That bites, I didn't even think about that. I'll bet Honda was effected as well but I am not sure.

[1roadking]

REPAIR PARTS?

[GregF]

Buy an American motor

[badmoonrising]

Buy an American motor

I'll agree here...but my Mercruiser block has "Hecho En Mexico" on the side (My Starcraft's Mercruiser built in 2000 does not). I tried to buy a boat with the most US content as possible. Same for our vehicles. Same for anything...I avoid Chinese products whenever possible too.

Buy American, if everyone did we wouldn't be in the shape we are in economically now.

[Bamby]

Buy American, if everyone did we wouldn't be in the shape we are in economically now.

I sure wish there were more choices in buying American or American Made on many things anymore it sure appears the consumer has no choice "but imported foreign junk". Quality on some thinks is so bad that even though I need it I'm unwilling to pay their price for what I consider inferior junk and leave it on the shelf and improvise or do without it.

[cbavier]

Aren't Johnson, Evenrude and Mercury American Made anymore? Obviously they all use some foreign parts.

[lakerunner696]

Johnson is gone, Evinrude is owned by Bombardier which i think is a Canadian Co

[Redneck_Randy]

My dealer told me she could no longer get any more Honda's and a good thing we got our boat when we did.

[badmoonrising]

Buy American, if everyone did we wouldn't be in the shape we are in economically now.

I sure wish there were more choices in buying American or American Made on many things anymore it sure appears the consumer has no choice "but imported foreign junk". Quality on some thinks is so bad that even though I need it I'm unwilling to pay their price for what I consider inferior junk and leave it on the shelf and improvise or do without it.

Chinese made tools are the absolute worst out there, everything from hand tools to shop presses are considered disposable.

[GregF]

I believe the Mercury SeaCore I/Os are all US made. They also make the mid range outboards in the US. I imagine the computers are made offshore.

[jafo9]

i've been worrying about this on a personal level as well. we are not in the market for a new boat, but i drive an older toyota and my honda motor isn't a spring chicken. at some point this mess will effect parts supplies as well. my order of parts for my pre summer maintenance for my boat motor has to be shipped in separate shippings since there are some high pressure filters they (boats.net) can't find anywhere.