Evinrude news release

[bob oh]

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (June 4, 2001) - Operation Bass Inc. and Bombardier Recreational Products have announced a new, multi-year sponsorship pact beginning in 2002 that will make Evinrude Outboards one of the official outboard motor sponsors of Operation Bass' tournaments.

Evinrude Outboards returns to the Operation Bass sponsor family, replacing Mercury Outboards. The leading outboard manufacturer will sponsor 149 bass and walleye fishing events throughout the country including the prestigious Wal-Mart FLW Tour, EverStart Series, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, Wal-Mart
RCL Walleye Circuit and Texas Tournament Trail.

"We are absolutely thrilled to have Evinrude Outboards back on our sponsorship team," said Irwin L. Jacobs, chairman of Operation Bass. "Evinrude was one of the founding Operation Bass sponsors dating back to 1980. Their commitment to sport fishing and anglers has been consistent and professional for decades. With the strong support of Bombardier, we look forward to sharing a long-lasting relationship with a world-renowned company that has long been a pioneer in the development of marine propulsion
engineering innovations."

Under the agreement, Evinrude will be one of two official outboard motor sponsors. Their product will be featured on specially-designed Ranger boats used during televised rounds of competition at Operation Bass tournaments. Additionally, Evinrude will receive exposure through on-site signage, advertising spots during Wal-Mart FLW Tour telecasts, advertising in Bass
Fishing magazine, inclusion in Operation Bass promotional and public relations material and prominence on the company's popular Web sites.

"Bombardier is proud to bring Evinrude back to the nation's premier family of bass tournaments," said Roch Lambert, Vice President and General Manager of Bombardier Boats and Outboard Engines. "Bombardier's experience in recreational products, including the strength of the Evinrude and Johnson brands, combined with Irwin Jacobs' terrific management team at Operation
Bass and the partnership of Wal-Mart, will make for a competitive and entertaining series of tournaments. We're very pleased to be on board."

Evinrude, known by generations of boating and fishing enthusiasts as the world's first name in outboards, will promote its patented Fichtâ Ram Injection direct fuel injection (DFI) technology at each event. Evinrude's Fichtâ Ram Injection direct fuel injection (DFI) outboards provide anglers increased performance and fuel efficiency. Outboards utilizing Ficht technology cut fuel consumption by up to 35 percent while reducing hydrocarbon emissions by up to 88 percent and cutting oil usage by one-half.

Other leading sponsors of the 2001 Wal-Mart FLW Tour are ALPO Pet Foods, BFGoodrich Tires, Black & Decker, Chevrolet, CITGO, Coleman, Conseco, Energizer, EverStart Batteries, Frito-Lay, Fujifilm, Kellogg's, Land O' Lakes, Lowrance, Minn Kota, Pepsi, Plano Tackle Systems, Poulan, Ranger Boats, Shop-Vac, Snickers Cruncher Bar, Timex, US Bank, Visa, Wal-Mart, Weed Eater, Wrangler and Yamaha Outboards. ACDelco spark plugs and oil filters, David sunflower seeds, ACT II, Excalibur, Strike King and Eagle Claw and Daiwa are associate sponsors of the 2001 tour.

Bombardier Inc., a diversified manufacturing and service company, is a world-leading manufacturer of business jets, regional aircraft, rail transportation equipment and motorized recreational products. It is also a provider of financial services and asset management. The Corporation employs 79,000 people in 23 countries in North America, Europe and Asia, and more than 90 percent of its 16.1 billion dollars in revenues are generated outside Canada.

Operation Bass is the leading fishing tournament organization in the world. With 149 events held during 2001, the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, EverStart Series, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Series and Texas Tournament Trail could award more than $16 million to participating anglers, more than all other national tournament organizations combined.

For more information on Operation Bass, visit www.operationbass.com or call 270-362-4880. For more information on Evinrude Outboards, visit www.bombardier.com.

Bob

[Hans]

What's a "bass"?

[ozarkeyes]

I guess it is more than a coincidence that Irwin Jacobs decisions last week or so to NOT package Mercury motors, claiming Mercury was too pricey and would not negotiate on volume discount. Maybe Mercury thought Evinrude was dead, and could set their own price and had one less major competitor to deal with. Brunswick better watch out, their decisions could eventually put them down on the totem pole, where they can't climb up very fast.

[M.R.Fish]

GREEN FISH WITHOUT TEETH ;-)

[Gabby_SD]

Thats what Daddy sings when Moma sings tenor

[Al]

Merc went from shoe in to also ran pretty quick with Op. Bass boys. Like em or not, they have a lot of visibility, and it's growing greatly every day. RCL/FLW/EVERSTART/Wal Mart BFL plus a bank vault full of sponsors......against BASS and PWT(minus the Linders). The boating world is changing quickly. Looks like Johnrude could be on the upswing fast. This isn't a cure all, but it's a big boost.

[wavewacker]

I'm happy for both Operation Bass Inc. and Bombardier. I'm sure this sponsership pact will be benificial for both. This may not set well with some Ficht owners who have had problems in the past both with motor and service but it is probably a wise business decission to spend the money on advertisement and sponsership to get new owners rather than taking some of that money and making sure their old customers have been taken care of. Thats a lot of water over the ##### and I'm sure those of us who have had less than pleasant experiences with the Ficht technology will come to terms and move on with our lives while taking this opportunity to learn and grow. I'm looking forward for more news releases from Bombardier as they seem to make my problems minor in the total sceme. LOL

[vetspet(ind)]

bought a "new" 1997 evinrude last yr...came with the warranty and everything....but found out that they are not honoring warranties that are this old , even tho the motor was brand new and came with a one yr warranty..so be careful of buying new motors that are not this yrs. model...steve

[cisco]

Momma sings soprano or alto -- I hope.

[SUPERTROLLER]

Just wondering. Where did you read they weren't honoring warranties. I had heard that over the past weekend but this too was from a friend of a friend of a friend. Not doubting you, just wondering of source and if anyone else can confirm this. Thanks.

[FISH4U]

TAKEN FROM EVINRUDES WEB STE-

The warranty coverage on an Evinrude or Johnson Outboard.

The following warranties are supported by Bombardier:

Evinrude: - All 2000 and 2001 models have the original Two-Year Limited Warranty beginning from the original retail purchase date.*

Johnson: - All 2000 and 2001 models have the original One-Year Limited Warranty beginning from the original retail purchase date.*

No other warranties apply, including all 1999 and older models, regardless of the date of sale. All supplemental promotional warranties or warranty extensions beyond the original one or two year Limited Warranty are also void.












I do not FISH to LIVE.
I LIVE to FISH.

MY WEB SITE:
http://communities.msn.com/LakeErieSteelheadFishing

[SUPERTROLLER]

Thank you for clearing up the rumors. What I had heard was that they were not covering ANY warranty's. I hope vetspet never needs any work on his motor.

[Michman]

I agree with ozarkeyes. When OMC first announced the bankrupcy the Brunswick CEO was arrogant in his remarks regarding any potential bidders for OMC as "not being credible". I love what appears to be going on right now between Genmar and Bombardier. I am completely convinced that Mr. Buckley and Mercury are going to feel the heat from Genmar and Bombardier. It's great to see the Evinrude name is going to continue and with Bombardier behing the name Evinrude and Johnson are truly in a GO FAST mode. I wish the PWT would endorse Evinrude also just like the RCL is.

[vetspet(ind)]

i called the company and spoke to a representative...he told me they would not honor the warrantee...steve...had a minor problem with the motor

[curt quesnell]

wow you guys are sure jumping on merc.

the way i see it....with a deal pending with evinrude taking
a shot a merc a week ago cost nobody anything and would only
help seal the deal...

they like to deal with evinrude and have for years. we saw
some corporate chess being played is all.

good luck to everyone....

curt quesnell

[Mike]

Brunswick need not be worried. BASS will come to them with their hat in their hand when all of the Fichts blow up 2 or 3 times. I know I'll never buy another one, no matter who endorses them!

[Mike]

Brunswick need not worry. BASS will come back to them with their hat in their hand when all of the Fichts blow up 2 or 3 times. I know I'll never buy another one no matter who endorses them.

[Michman]

I think your going to be wrong on this one Mike. Although OMC ran out of money, the 2001 Ficht engines are the result of sticking with the new technology until the engineers got right. For those people out there reading this web site that are Ficht owners of 2000 and particularly 2001 owners, be assured that Bombardier has the resources to not only stand behind Evinrude and Johnson but are agressive enough to take these brands to new levels of success. I believe Buckley (CEO of Brunswick) turned his arrogance loose on the wrong two companies. He (Buckley) will regret his comments. By the way Mike, I'll take your bet on Operation Bass coming to Mercury with their hat in their hand. Irwin Jacobs and Bombardier have all they need and it doesn't include anything from Mercury!

[wavewacker]

I agree with Mike on some points. The consumer is not as stupid or naive as thye use to be. They also have a lot more say in the market place. Evenrude will never have what they use to, 32% of the market, but I'm sure there will be enough consumers to keep them in business regardless of the service or product. Even having sponsers will not be enough for a lot of pros who make their living off the circuts. They will not put up with this and they can't afford to be without a reliable engine. I know there are hundreds of consumers, just like Mike, who will remember how they have been treated. It's not only the consumers who were directly affected but all the others that these consumers give advice to. I feel it will be a long old road for the Ficht Technology and I for one will not be picking up any hitchhickers.

[tim(wi)]

Sure seems to be alot of Merc haters here. Seems to me OMC turned there backs on a bunch of there customers and could care less. A whole lot of people have 1999 $10,000 plus engines out there and no one to turn to when one of these things explodes. That just ain't right to me. I think when you buy a company you would want to keep your customers happy instead of closing the door on them. I work on the water and with the boating industry and hear first hand from Evinrude and Johnson owners who are disgusted with idea they spent thousands of dollars on a product that now has no factory support. Merc has bent over backwards working with us when we got our 225's for our work boat 3 years ago. The company rep still calls us to see how were doing. No thanks evinrude or johnson, My hard earned money will go to Merc when I buy my new boat. A company I know I can trust.

[Michman]

Make no mistake about it, there were problems with the Ficht technology prior to 2001. Make ABSOLUTELY no mistake about it there were and remain problems with Optimax technology as witnessed by the suspension of 200 and 225 Opti outboard production. Neither OMC or Mercury had turn-key ready and reliable direct injection outboards. To assume that Bombardier will have a perfect product when they offically begin production this Fall is also a streach. However, I am confident that Bombardier has the engineering knowhow, financial resources and corporate dedication to take these famous outboards outboards to new performance and sales levels. As with any business, the first rule for success is leadership. It certainly wasn't the fault of the assembly line folks that OMC went bankrupt. It was poor management. As far as the good news surrounding Evinrude and Operation Bass, I stand by my comment that it will be a good thing for Bombardier, Genmar, Operation Bass, RCL, WAL-MART and all involved. I do believe that Brunswick's CEO will regret his comments and that the beneficieries of his arrogance will be Genmar and Bombardier (Evinrude and Johnson)