Your Guide to Outboards - Introduction

How To Choose and Equip an Outboard Engine

Produced by Trailer Boat in partnership with Mercury Marine, this guide will help you choose the outboard that's best for you. We'll walk you through the available technologies, give you the lowdown on accessories and systems, show how to optimise performance, and provide maintenance tips that will keep your outboard in top condition.

Over the last 60 years, we've seen the outboard grow from a cantankerous 10hp engine that only ran well until it was time to head home, to near-bulletproof powerplants developing up to 300hp. Enhancements in reliability and performance have come steadily, thanks to refinements in virtually every outboard system.

Until recently, these engines (with few exceptions) utilised conventional two-stroke technology, whose main advantages were its simplicity and high power output for its size and weight. The evolutionary pace has accelerated, however, with the debut of fuel efficient and environmentally friendly direct-fuel-injected (DFI) two-strokes outboards and four-strokes.

As you've probably guessed, this is an incredible time in outboard power. Never before have boaters faced so many exciting choices. We're convinced that after reading this guide, you'll have the knowledge and confidence to make the best decision when buying your next outboard.

Reproduced with permission of Poole Publications, USA. Republished in Australia by Trader International Group, a division of ACP Publishing, ACN 053 273 546, ABN 18 053 273 546. Copyright (c) 2003, Poole Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted in Australia.