Why are outboards so EXTREMELY expensive?

[ZmOz]

Why is it that ouboard motors are so obscenely expensive? I mean...a new 150hp plan old carbed Mercury is more than $11,000 isn't it?? That's just for an engine and very simple transmission. Now for $11,000 you can get a relatively nice car...probably find a 150hp car. That would include the engine, tranny, well, everything that makes up a car. At those prices why would anybody ever buy a new outboard? Hell...if you've got an inboard you can get a new 454 chevy crate motor for around $4000...that's over 300hp isn't it?

 

[DuPont Spinner]

Re: Why are outboards so EXTREMELY expensive?

Probably for the same reason that a new 250 motocross bike is over $5000: That's just the way it is. If you want it bad enough, you'll pay that amount for it. Look, we all know that cars, boats, motors, etc. are not really worth what they ask for, but if the market can demand the asking price, and we are willing to pay the big bucks, why should they lower the price?<br /><br />DuPont

 

[sloopy]

Re: Why are outboards so EXTREMELY expensive?

*Have to have parts that can stand up to the marine environment<br />*need to be able to run at wide open for a long time<br />*need to be made out of materials that will not rust.<br />*need to be coast guard approved<br />*many more...

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Why are outboards so EXTREMELY expensive?

The parts don't cost anymore to make or get approved than car parts...

 

[P.V.]

Re: Why are outboards so EXTREMELY expensive?

Most $11,000 cars don't float very well! Actually, it's because, unlike cars, outboard builders don't build 400,000 of them each year so aren't able to spred the building dollars over 10 or 40 years like Chevy and their 350 cid V-8. It probably costs Chevy about $800 dollars to actually build them but they've been doing so since the '60's. They must make a killing on them when you buy one from your Chevy dealer, why don't they lower those prices??

 

[roscoe]

Re: Why are outboards so EXTREMELY expensive?

P.V., $11,000 outboards don't float at all.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Why are outboards so EXTREMELY expensive?

The outboard manufacturers have had the R&D down for decades. They know the hazards and difficulties of designing an outboard to work well in a marine environment. Honda is using automotive engines that have been tweeked for outboard use, yet are some of the most espensive with the least amount of R&D. A new outboard should only cost a quarter to a third of what they cost, but they are a luxury item, not a necessity for the majority of consumers. They can charge what they want because they know most people cannot even afford a $5000 outboard let alone a $15,000 outboard. Most consumers just go out and buy entire boats. You know the outboard manufacturers are gouging us when you can buy a new outboard for $11,000, or buy an entire boat with the same motor and trailer for a few grand more. Are new outboards worth their costs? Not even close, but if ya wanna play, ya gots ta pay.....

 

[flatsman]

Re: Why are outboards so EXTREMELY expensive?

PURE GREED -----COMPLETELLY THROUGH THE SYSTEM---<br />But heck , when China starts building them , that should solve a lot of the problems. Just american Greed. There are many accuses but no real reasons. So just keep looking for the cheapest one ya can find. Remember that there is a real opportunity in marine products for low cost foreign produces and if I can see it so can the business folks.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Why are outboards so EXTREMELY expensive?

Middleground - I know your point. I own a web hosting business and when I first opened my idea was to be as good as everyone else but cheaper. The idea didn't fly because people thought it was cheap for a reason...I raised my prices and got more customers. Still...I think outboards are just ridiculously overpriced...I'd like to see what kind of boat the CEO of Mecury has. I know I would never think of buying a new one...

 

[JB]

Re: Why are outboards so EXTREMELY expensive?

Hmmm.<br /><br />The specs on engines, accessories, drive trains, etc. for most outboards are quite different than for a car.<br /><br />How many car engines sport full, frictionless bearings, super-light alloy castings, integrated ignition and charging systems, integrated drive trains, 4 or 6 carburetors, marine environment tolerance, etc., etc.?<br /><br />Answer: None.<br /><br />Closest realistic comparison would be a BMW, Mercedes or Lexus engine, but even that is without all the integrated accessories and systems that the outboard includes.

 

[sloopy]

Re: Why are outboards so EXTREMELY expensive?

Then why are we forced to buy the OUTBOARD type of replacement part when something brakes? Like outboard starters (some car ones will fit). They say if you buy the car type you will screw up your outboard even if it fits and works. And that list above I got off of some boathouses web site (but put in my own words ) Yes most of it is greed but there are some other reasons (look above)

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Why are outboards so EXTREMELY expensive?

The same reason you're forced to buy Honda parts for your honda. Every machine ever manufactured requires parts made specifically for it, although other parts may work.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Why are outboards so EXTREMELY expensive?

What rags me is not only the cost but the technology. You can go out and buy a 20 year old ragged out OMC V4 that was run in salt water for - lets say $500.00. Then give it a complete overhaul in your own garage for say $1,000.00 and with good driveway maintenance it will run for another 20 years (well that might be a tad of a stretch but you get the idea).<br /><br />I would like to see how many of the current motors are running in 20 years from now let alone being maintained by a driveway mechanic. You can read many posts here about the new motors and how difficult it is to find a trained mechanic (@ $75.00 per hour) who has a clue about all the sensors and computers that these things need to keep em running.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Why are outboards so EXTREMELY expensive?

One good thing about the new computer controlled outboards, you can gaurantee there is someone out there who will come up with a way to tweak the program for more power, like for the automotive segment. For autos, you can just plug in a Hypertech Power Programer, push some buttoms, and get more power. Who knows what detrimental effect such tweaking may have on an outboard, but it all works the same....

 

[clanton]

Re: Why are outboards so EXTREMELY expensive?

You can buy a V6 carb Merc up to 200 HP close to 8000 maby less then 8000 in Tampa area from Dodge car dealer, that is marine dealer sells Hondas also, Forgot name. They will rig or set engine on your truck. Look in Southwest boat trader.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Why are outboards so EXTREMELY expensive?

Has anyone priced an 6 cylinder 200+ hp airplane engine lately? Then of course you need a propeller, how much are those? How come 1930's technology costs so much?

 

[clanton]

Re: Why are outboards so EXTREMELY expensive?

Airplane engine= insurance for company that built engine.

 

[Link]

Re: Why are outboards so EXTREMELY expensive?

Ok.... You can not compare Apples to Oranges!<br />Apple= High performance Out Board motor<br />Apple= High performance Indy 500 motor<br /><br />Orange= Some air cooled weedwacker with a lower <br />unit called a boat motor<br />Orange= Any Chevy product! <br /><br />Splains it all I'd say!