4-Stroke Powerheads

[Big Eye]

I have been told that Yamaha has produced 4-stroke powerheads for several other outboard motor manufacturers, but, I am unsure who. Can anyone give me a clue on this one.

[PJM]

Big Eye


They make the powerheads for Mercury, but that might change in 2005 because of some conflict with the companies.

[Shellback]

I understood Yamaha used to make the smaller motor powerheads for Merc, but I'm not sure of others. I wouldn't bet my life on any hearsay on the net or otherwise. Why not go each dealer and look under the hood?

[Jim Carroll]

Yamaha does make powerheads for Mercury (Brunswick) and it seems they are about to get more expensive...

Outboard wars again 7/23/2004 <From Bassfan.com>

Another shot was fired today in the war re: the allegation by Brunswick Corp.'s Mercury Marine subsidiary that Japanese outboard manufacturers (meaning Yamaha) are "dumping" outboards – in other words, selling them too cheaply – on the U.S. market. Today Yamaha stated that it will "shortly significantly raise the prices" of 4-stroke powerheads for outboard motors that it sells to Brunswick. Phil Dyskow, president of the Yamaha Marine Group, said: "These price increases are part of Yamaha's ongoing efforts to restructure its prices in Japan and the United States to meet the requirements of the current business climate. Yamaha is required to increase these prices in order to protect its commercial position in the United States." He noted that Yamaha is not raising the prices of its outboards sold to U.S. customers: "This increase only applies to the sale of the specified powerheads to Brunswick."


Jim Carroll NPAA #333

[Shellback]

Sounds like things could get ugly, maybe that's why Merc bought just bought up the boat lines, to secure a position for their motors. It will be interesting to see if Merc sucks up the cost increase, or passes it on to the consumer. A significant price increase would sure hurt their sales when everyone else has reputable 4 strokes on the market.

[Unlogged T-Mac]

Everybody is making things for everybody else, nowdays.