7 Key Advantages Outboard Motors Offer

Developments in Outboard Motors

There are now many outboard motor companies vying for your business, which means there is plenty of competition for your business. This is a great thing - competition drives innovation, creating better motors than ever before.

The five major companies today are Yamaha, Tohatsu, Suzuki, Mercury, and Evinrude.

Evinrude made the very first portable outboard motor. Since that initial invention with just 1.5 horsepower, these motors have seen a lot of development.

Today, motors have more cylinders, more horsepower, and more speed than before. Yet they can also be quieter, more fuel efficient, and more lightweight than the motors of the past.

With these advances, boats have also changed shape. Bigger motors allow larger boats to use outboard power. As these motors became both more powerful and more accessible, boating became a more popular recreational hobby.

Without these advances in outboard motors, boating and fishing would not have become nearly as big as it is today. Let's take a look at the best things about modern outboard motors.

1. Technology

Four-stroke technology has not entirely replaced two-stroke technology, but it does offer some distinct advantages.

Historically, all outboard motors were two-stroke motors, and there are many good two-stroke engines still on the market today. Two-stroke engines use two piston movements (up, then down) per revolution of the crankshaft, completing a cycle.

With a four-stroke engine, the power cycle is made up of two revolutions of the crankshaft, resulting in four piston movements.

Each type of engine has its own place, with advantages and disadvantages. Two-stroke motors tend to be lighter, simpler to make, and more powerful.

However, four-stroke engines last longer, are more fuel efficient, and they pollute less than carbureted two-stroke engines.

2. Stylish Appearance

Today's motors are sleeker and more attractive than their predecessors.

As boat owners know, the appearance of your boat is important. From paint color to maintenance, making your boat look great can be part of the fun of owning one.

Your motor can actually play a role in the visual appeal of your boat.

Some outboard motors now come with options like choosing accent colors to match your boat perfectly, or selecting the panels that make up the motor to get the exact look you want.

Even the most basic designs are sleek and stylish. Whether you want your motor to match your boat and stand out, or just seamlessly blend in, you can find the right one for you.

3. Quiet

Outboard motors have become much quieter over the years - especially the four-stroke engines. This is because a four-stroke motor has time between the power and exhaust phases.

With two-stroke engines, those two phases overlap, resulting in more noise.

4. Power Controls

Long gone are the days when outboard motors needed to be cranked by hand. Now, there are more power controls than ever before on these engines.

Some come equipped with a button that lets you raise and lower the engine as needed.

Other innovations from recent decades include digital throttle and shift. These digital technologies come from the auto industry.

The more digitized and power controls have been introduced to outboard motors, the less work there is for boat owners. Before oil-injection and four-strokes came about, for example, boat owners had to mix oil and gas by hand.

5. Lightweight

Modern technology also allows these motors to be lighter in weight than ever before. Advances in fuel injection allow the engine to run without a battery, for example, saving weight and space.

6. Long Lifespan

Durability is an important consideration in an outboard motor. You don't want one that's going to break down regularly or need lots of maintenance to stay functional. Fortunately, today's motors often have great lifespans.

New outboard engines come with warranties ranging from 3 years to 10 years depending on the manufacturer.  Extended warranties are also available for added piece of mind.  Some outboards even tell you when your motor is due for maintenance.

Of course, some maintenance is to be expected, and you can extend the lifespan of your motor by keeping up with it regularly. But the best engines on the market now are designed to run as long as possible between maintenance sessions.

Better-made parts and high-quality paint jobs are all part of the system that protects your motor so it can run as long as possible. Look for these craftmanship details to ensure your outboard motor is designed to last.

7. Fuel Efficiency

Today's efficient motors often have features that can decrease drag, improve performance, and give you greater fuel efficiency.

From the four-stroke engine to more streamlined designs, there are many ways that engines have been made more fuel efficient. Even some two-stroke engines have surprisingly good fuel efficiency.

Lightweight engines with the right features can save you a great deal in fuel costs.

Choose the Best Motor Today

With so many different variables, it's clear that not all outboard motors are created equal.

Choosing the right one has a lot to do with the kind of boat you have and what you plan to use it for. Different motors are best for freshwater fishing versus saltwater fishing, and deep water versus shallow.

The good news is that there's a perfect motor out there for every boat owner. Knowing these advantages will help ensure you make the right choice.

Ready to pick the right outboard motor for you? Check out what we have to offer here - we have both new and used options, for every price range and every need.