?Four-stroke engines now outnumber two-strokes in three of four outboard-powered boat segments: coastal fishing, pontoon and runabout. The biggest increase is in coastal fishing, where four-stroke outboard penetration is at 50 percent of the market?up from 31 percent in 2003. Only the bass boat segment has more two-stroke than four-stroke outboards.?
Excerpt from J.D. Power and Associates Reports: February 2005
http://www.jdpower.co.jp/press/pdf2005/2005USMarineEngine_E.pdf
?The record reflects that the growth in the U.S. market is largely due to increased demand for four-stroke outboard engines over the period of investigation. There has been a shift in demand in favor of these engines because they are reliable, quiet and emissions-compliant.?
?The record contains substantial evidence, including numerous articles and testimony on the record of the positive consumer response to four-stroke outboard engines. Our purchaser data generally confirms that these engines are quiet, reliable and emissions-compliant. Some boaters prefer the speed and acceleration of two-stroke engines. However, boaters who favor durability, reliability and quietness of engine over fast acceleration typically prefer four-stroke engines. For example, pontoon boaters do not need acceleration, but they desire reliable and quiet engines. Salt-water boaters, who venture far from land, also prefer four-stroke engines because of their perceived greater reliability and fuel efficiency compared to two-stroke engines. ?
?Only a small portion of the market, most notably bass boaters, exhibit a clear preference for two stroke direct injection engines over four-stroke engines. Purchasers reported that these engines accelerate quickly, but reported that they were inferior to four-strokes in reliability, durability and sound reduction, more often than they reported them superior in these categories. The market share of bass boats has declined, contributing to lower demand for two-stroke direct injection engines relative to four-stroke engines.?
Excerpts from a U.S Trade Commission Investigation, February 2005
http://www.usitc.gov/trade_remedy/7...s/2004/outboard_engines/final/PDF/pub3752.pdf
?Evinrude market share is less than 15 percent as it battles Suzuki and Honda for a distant third-place in sales behind Mercury and Yamaha.?
Excerpt from a Boats.com article, April, 2007
http://www.boats.com/news-reviews/article/johnson-outboard-future
I cannot find anything to indicate the national market shift toward four-strokes has stopped or slowed since 2003 - 2004. Can you post any evidence that it has?
