Evinrude 15 Horsepower High Output E-Tec Outboard Motor

As the proud owner of two OMC outboard motors, a 9.9 horsepower Evinrude and a 15 horsepower Evinrude of late 1970's vintage, it was distressing for me to learn afew years ago that OMC was bowing to financial pressures and going out of business in 2000. Apparently at that time, the company was having trouble staying afloat, (pardon the pun) thanks to increased Environmental Protection Agency requirements and dropping sales.

It wasn't a good outlook, particularly for folks like me who had always run OMC outboards, with either Evinrude or Johnson brand. But the world didn't end, nor did Evinrude disappear, because in 2001, Bombardier, a huge Canadian born and now international company, decided to take it over certain parts of the Evinrude/Johnson/Outboard Marine Corp.

Bombardier, a leader in the design, manufacture and sales of other transportation vehicles, decided that Evinrude and Johnson outboard deserved a second chance. God Bless the folks at Bombardier.....

The good news is,
the Evinrude and Johnson names and outboards have been successful under the Bombardier leadership and are making a heck of a comeback.

Of course for me, an owner of small boats, and a lover of the 15 horsepower size, I was waiting with baited breath to see if the Evinrude name would surface again on a small outboard. Well I am happy to say it has, as Evinrude is now producing the Evinrude High Output 15 H.O. outboard motor. It's a 35.2 cubic inch  Inline 2-Cylinder E-TEC DI engine and it is making waves.....(again, pardon the pun)

The Evinrude 15 HO E-Tec engine is cranking out 15 HP (11.19 kw) at 5500 RPM. The new outboard motors are available with rope and electric start, remote steering or a tiller handle, and something I always thought would be nice on the smaller motors, a high speed power tilt. That's like they have on the big boys....

The new 2 stroke Evinrude High Output 15 hp is a little heavier than Mercury's 4-stroke 15 horsepower, but I am not convinced that the extra weight is a detriment, particularly when you consider the extra maintenance required for 4-stroke outboards.

I've been waiting for this the way some folks are waiting for the second coming of you know who......

Don't take my word for it, check out the new lineup of Evinrude Outboard Motors, particularly the 15 H.P. HO E-Tec at the Evinrude Website and keep an eye on this blog, because one of these days I hope to have one of these new Evinrudes powering my 14 foot Springbok aluminum boat.