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Facts about Marine Power Europe Outboard Engines

Monday, July 26th, 2010

Facts about Marine Power Europe Outboard Engines

By Connie Motz, MarineFuel.com

Then
Mercury Marine has been manufacturing the Mercury outboard engine since 1939. In 1961, Mercury Marine amalgamated with Brunswick Corporation of Lake Forest, IL, and in 1971, Marine Power Europe was established in Liege, Belgium, as the European division of Mercury Marine USA. Subsequent Marine Power Europe divisions were established in France; Denmark; Netherlands; and Norway, while the name was changed to Marine Power Europe in 1981. Marine Power went on to expand to Sweden (1991), Italy (1993), and Switzerland (1995).

Now
Over 70 years later, Marine Power Europe, a division of Brunswick Marine of EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa), is the foremost manufacturer and distributor of both recreational and commercial outboard engines throughout EMEA and the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States). In 2007, Brunswick Corporation (parent company of Brunswick Marine of EMEA) had reported sales of USD $5.67 billion with 19,760 employees worldwide as of July 2009. Marine Power Europe produces Mercury, Mercury MerCruiser, and Mariner outboard engines.

Customer Satisfaction
According to the 2009 Marine Engine Competitive Study produced by J.D. Powers and Associates, Mercury Marine ranked third in the Outboard Direct Injection (DI) two-stroke category as well as fourth in the Outboard Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) four-stroke category. Mercury Marine received 886 out of a possible 1,000 points and 878 out of a possible 1,000 point, respectively.

Makes & Models
Marine Power Europe manufactures three series of the Mercury outboard engine – Verado, OptiMax, and FourStrokes – ranging from 2.5-300 HP, all featuring the durability and reliability that a Mercury outboard engine provides. Mercury MerCruiser produces both Alpha and Bravo drives plus a series of stern drives ranging from 135 to 190 HP. Mariner models include the four-stroke Verado ranging from 135 to 300 HP; FourStroke series from 5 to 115 HP; and Optimax 115 and 225 HP outboard engines.

Parts & Manuals
Mercury, MerCruiser, and Mariner outboard engine operator and maintenance manuals can be accessed in PDF (Portable Document Format) through the ‘Download Center’ of the Brunswick Marine of EMEA website. Parts for Mercury, MerCruiser, and Mariner can be ordered through local Marine Power Europe dealers. The Brunswick Marine of EMEA website also offers a series of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and answers to topics that include electrical, fuel & fuel systems, general, OptiMax, parts, and winterization queries.

New for 2010
The most recent Marine Power Europe outboard engines to be released include the 70th anniversary two-stroke DFI (Direct Fuel Injection) Mercury 125 Optimax in September 2009; the catalyst version of an inboard MerCruiser Big Block engine (380 to 430 HP) was available January 1, 2010 with a non-catalyst version to be available mid-2010.

Dealer Locator
More than 3,300 Marine Power Europe dealers can easily be located by using the ‘find a dealer’ feature on the Brunswick Marine of EMEA website.

Sources:
Flickr.com Photo Credit: Mercury MerCruiser engine by ScaryComputer
Brunswick Marine of EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa)
Marine Power

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Tags: bravo, brunswick corporation, brunswick marine, catalyst, emea, engine, engines, europe, four-, four-stroke, fourstrokes, HP, marine, mariner, mercruiser, mercury, mercury marine, middle east, motor, motors, non-catalyst, optimax, outboard, power, stern drive, two-, two-stroke, verado
Posted in Boat Manufacturers, Research | No Comments »

Facts about Hyfong Outboard Engines

Monday, July 19th, 2010

Facts about Hyfong Outboard Engines

Then & Now

Established in 2000, the Zhejiang Shunfeng Power Machinery Manufacturer Co., Ltd., is located in the city of Jinhua, China. As manufacturers of various machinery including garden equipment, all terrain vehicles (ATV), snow mobiles, and boats, Zhejiang Shunfeng Power Machinery also produces Hyfong, Oshen, and Shunfeng outboards. With over USD $8 million in exports annually, Zhejiang Shunfeng Power Machinery is “one of the fastest growing names in the marine outboard market” with 12,000 Hyfong outboard engines manufactured and 300 staff employed in 2008.

Makes & Models

Zhejiang Shunfeng Power Machinery produces 23 models of Hyfong Outboards including a two-stroke series of 2, 2.5, 3.5, 4, 5, 6, 9.9, and 15 HP engines (available in black or silver and long or short shaft); and a four-stroke series of 2.5, 4, 5, 6, 9.9, and 15 HP engines (also available in black or silver and long or short shaft). The cost for Hyfong Outboard engines are said to be up to 40% less than competitor models; all engines comply with EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and European CE (Conformité Européne) standards. All Hyfong Outboards feature a transistorized coil ignition (TCI) for easy starting; low oil gauge indicator; forward-neutral-reverse shifting; twist grip throttle control; and a thermostat controlled water cooling system.

Customer Satisfaction

Hyfong marine engines are quality built while customer service and satisfaction are the company’s main goal. Hyfong has an international network of worldwide locations including the USA; Canada; Mexico; Asia; Russia; Sweden; Finland; United Kingdom; Germany; France; Netherlands; Ireland; Australia; and South Africa. All Hyfong Outboard engines feature a one to two year limited factory warranty; They offers a toll-free customer service line at 1-888-471-9997 for its North American customers.

Hyfong Parts & Manuals

Hyfong owner’s, service, and parts manuals are available from Hyfong Outboard dealers. A full inventory of Hyfong parts is available to customers in the USA and Canada with savings of up to 50% over competitor parts; all major Hyfong Outboard dealers are required to stock a minimum parts inventory. In many cases, Hyfong marine engine parts are interchangeable and compatible with several major competitor outboard manufacturers.

If you’d like to ask a Hyfong Outboard engine question sooner than waiting for a manual to arrive, try the Just Answer website. For a fee ranging from $14 to $34, you can ask a Just Answer expert about a Hyfong Outboard motor and receive an answer within minutes from a certified marine mechanic. You can also browse previous Hyfong Outboard engine questions and answers free of charge.

Hyfong Outboard Dealer Locator

Hyfong Outboard engine dealers can easily be located by calling the toll-free customer service line at 1-888-471-9997 in North America.

Sources:
Zhejiang Shunfeng Power Machinery Manufacturer Co., Ltd.
Oshen Marine

Photo from Alibaba.com

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Tags: atv, boat, carb, china, dealer, dealers, engine, engines, EPA, four-str, four-stroke, HP, hyfong, jinhua, long, machinery, manuals, manufacturer, motor, motors, oshen, outboard, owners, parts, power, shaft, short, shunfeng, snow mobile, standards, tci, two-stroke, zhejiang shunfeng
Posted in Boat Manufacturers, Research | No Comments »

Briggs and Stratton Outboard Engine Facts

Monday, December 28th, 2009

Then
Founded in 1908 in Milwaukee, WI, by inventor Stephen Briggs and investor Harold Stratton, Briggs & Stratton first produced automobiles and then advanced into producing automobile parts. In 1928, Briggs & Stratton purchased the Evinrude Outboard Motor Company and subsequently sold it within a year. The company went on to manufacture engines for military and agricultural sectors; in 1953, Briggs & Stratton developed the ‘world’s first lightweight aluminum engine.’

Now
At just over 100 years old, Briggs & Stratton manufactures garden and power equipment; generators; pressure washers; air compressors; water pumps; snow blowers; and outboard engines. Briggs & Stratton is the “world’s largest producer of gasoline engines for outdoor power equipment,” with a total production of over 11 million engines annually. The current headquarters of Briggs & Stratton are located in Wauwatosa, WI, with international offices in China, Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Czech Republic, and Switzerland.

The Facts about Briggs & Stratton Outboard Engines

Briggs and Stratton Outboard Engines

Customer Satisfaction
Briggs & Stratton provides a two-year limited warranty on their outboard engines; servicing is available at 30,000 Briggs & Stratton dealers located worldwide.

Environmental Commitment
As part of their ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility, Briggs & Stratton is an avid recycler of materials and continually strives to improve technology to reduce their global footprint through their Down to Earth program.

Makes & Models
Briggs & Stratton produces four outboard engine options including a 3 HP Etek Electric Motor featuring 75 pounds cruising thrust with 150 maximum thrust and an overall weight of 68 pounds; and a 5 HP 4-cycle overhead valve (OHV) Air-Cooled 189cc outboard with 4000 RPM weighing in at 56 pounds overall. All Briggs & Stratton outboard engines feature Magnetron Electronic Ignition, forward-neutral-reverse shifting, and a lightweight corrosive resistant 3-blade aluminum propeller.

Parts & Manuals
Parts, repair, and owner’s manuals can be ordered directly through the Briggs & Stratton website or through your local Briggs & Stratton dealer; outboard engine parts can be purchased through the online Briggs & Stratton Shopping service. Basic outboard engine repair manuals can be purchased through Amazon.com.

If you’d like to ask a Briggs & Stratton outboard engine question sooner than waiting for a manual to arrive, try the Just Answer website. For a fee ranging from $14 to $34, you can ask a Just Answer expert about a Briggs & Stratton outboard motor and receive an answer within minutes from a certified marine mechanic. You can also browse previous Briggs & Stratton questions and answers free of charge.

Dealer Locator
Briggs & Stratton dealers can easily be located by using the ‘find a dealer’ feature found on the Briggs & Stratton website. Briggs & Stratton outboard engines can be purchased directly through a dealer or at retail stores including Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shop, Gander Mountain, Academy Sports, and Sportman’s Warehouse.

Owner’s Groups & Clubs
There are several online forums dedicated to Briggs & Stratton outboard engine owners including iboats.com, Cabela’s, and BoatDesign.net.

Sources:
Wikipedia
Briggs & Stratton
Funding Universe

Just Answer

Iboats.com
Cabela’s
Boat Design

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Tags: aluminum, bass pro shop, briggs, cabela's, electric, engine, engines, equipment, garden, gas, HP, manuals, motor, motors, outboard, parts, power, repair, service, sportsman's warehouse, stratton
Posted in Featured Companies | No Comments »

Go Boat Engine Shopping Armed With These Tips!

Monday, December 21st, 2009

When it’s time to go fishing for a new boat engine, choosing the right engine for your boat may be more important that you think - and using the right marine fuel is equally important . To make the most of your search when you go boat engine shopping, it may be a good idea to take advantage of the tips offered by Discover Boating.

Discover Boating offers advice on ‘Choosing the Right Engine Package.’ It’s best to do your homework and evaluate options according to the size of engine you require in accordance with your fuel delivery system.

Time to Go Fishing for a new Boat Engine? Read these Tips!

Go Boat Engine Shopping with Online Research

Choosing the proper engine for your boat is important. If your engine doesn’t generate enough propulsion power, it will continuously provide a weak performance; however, if your engine generates too much power, you could be in danger of exceeding safe speed limits as outlined by the boat manufacturer.

According to Discover Boating, boat engines fall into these five categories:

1) 2-stroke or 4-stroke outboard motor – ranges from 1 to 350 horsepower (HP); designed for use in all water types; provides good fuel economy; runs approximately 1,500 hours before requiring servicing; available brands for purchase include Nissan, Yamaha, Mercury, and Evinrude.

2) Diesel inboard motor – ranges from 25 to 715 HP; does not produce carbon monoxide gas; inexpensive to run with a life span of approximately 40 years; available brands for purchase include Yanmar, Cummins, Mercruiser, Westerbeke, and Volvo Penta.

3) Gasoline inboard motor – ranges from 90 to 1,000 HP; quiet with low maintenance required; has minimal running cost; available brands for purchase include Marine Power, Mercury Racing, and Indmar.

4) Jet Boat & Propulsion engines – water powered with no propeller; not able to steer when power is not applied; cannot be operated in shallow water; available brands for sale include Honda, Yamaha, Mercury, and Mercruiser.

5) Stern Drive – (also known as inboard/outboard) the engine remains inside the boat while the propulsion drive is located outside; easy to steer in forward or reverse; low maintenance; available brands include Mercruiser, Ilmor, and Volvo Penta.

The appropriate engine for your boat should be determined in part by the size and weight of your boat, which includes fuel capacity, the number of passengers to be carried, along with the weight of any gear stored onboard. According to Discover Boating, when determining your required horsepower, “a good rule of thumb is to come as close as possible to the maximum horsepower that your boat is rated for.”

The last choice to make before you go find a boat engine involves the fuel delivery systems. According to Discover Boating, marine fuel systems consist of three types:

1) Direct Fuel Injection – provides great fuel economy; has low emissions with smooth idling

2) Electronic Fuel Injection – allows for great fuel economy; low emissions, plus quick throttle response and power

3) Carbureted Fuel system – low cost, not as good fuel economy as electronic or direct fuel injection; higher emissions

When you go shopping for a new boat engine, evaluating your options for both price and performance may help get your choice a little closer to the net.

Sources:
Discover Boating
Boat Safe

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Tags: boat, cabureted, delivery, diesel, direct, electronic, emissions, engine, fishing, fuel, fuel economy, go, horsepower, motor, new, outboard, performance, power, size, stern drive, system, weight
Posted in Boating Information | No Comments »

Vector Stormtracker Elite WC300DSV Review & Tips

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

By Zachary Perry, MarineFuel.com News
November 18, 2009

The Vector Stormtracker Elite is a weather alert radio with a built-in 5″ TV, alarm clock, cellphone charger, lantern, and flashlight. It can be powered with AC or DC cords, batteries, or a hand-crank dynamo. The Vector WC300DSV is a useful product for boaters, campers, and residents of areas affected by severe weather.

RADIO RECEIVER: The Stormtracker Elite’s digital weather radio tunes all seven NOAA/NWS VHF channels, alongside the regular AM and FM bands. Although I only receive one or no weather radio stations on less sophisticated receivers, this unit picks up two clearly (sometimes three). Weather reception is excellent, FM is good, and AM mediocre.

SPEAKER: The radio and TV use a round, metal-covered speaker on the side of the unit. The speaker produces high quality, clear sound. With good reception, the radio can be turned to maximum volume without any distortion. There is also an earphone jack.

WEATHER ALERT: The Vector Stormtracker Elite can be set to sound an alarm when an official weather or other emergency alert is issued. Users may program it to cover one or more counties. Marine weather zones can also be specified, which is useful for boaters and island residents. The receiver’s specific area alert reception is a feature only found on fairly high-end radios.

TELEVISION: The unit’s B&W UHF/VHF analog television can receive broadcasts from Canada, U.S. LPTV stations, and cable/satellite services. It has a clear, sharp picture and good audio quality. The nine-section telescoping radio/TV antenna is sturdy and almost 32″ long.

ALARM CLOCK: The Vector WC300DSV has a digital clock and alarm. It is a bit difficult to set, but has a loud alarm that should be able to wake most people up. Unlike many portable alarm clocks, the unit features a “Snooze” button. It also shows the current date.

ACCESSORIES: The Vector Stormtracker Elite comes with a DC car power cord (also works in some boats and RVs), AC adapter, five cellphone charging adapters, and adjustable carrying strap. Its well-written instructions thoroughly cover almost every aspect of the unit. They are especially helpful for setting up the weather alerts and clock.

PARTS: There is a replaceable two amp fuse on the back of the unit. The 12V DC car/boat adapter also has a separate fuse. The 1/8″ antenna jack accepts various adapters for connection with standard TV/radio antennas, digital converters, VCRs, and other RF devices.

POWER: The Vector Stormtracker Elite’s TV can only be powered using the AC/DC adapters or 9 “C” batteries, while the other functions may also be powered with the dynamo crank. The dynamo is only really useful for powering the FM radio and lights. When power runs low, the digital display goes blank but the lights and AM/FM radio keep working.

LIGHTS: The WC300DSV also has a flashlight on the front and a lantern on the back, which can be used independently or simultaneously with the other functions. They are rather bright and have LED bulbs; LEDs last much longer and consume less electricity than other types.

SIMILAR MODELS: The original Vector Stormtracker is more ruggedly designed but offers fewer features. The larger Songwave SW-3600 has more functions and an adjustable lantern, but its dynamo and weather radio don’t work as well.

TIPS: Here are a couple tips on using the Vector Stormtracker Elite which weren’t covered in the manual…

1. When connecting the TV to a converter box or similar device, you may hear a lot of buzzing in the audio. If so, turn up the other device’s volume level, then readjust the TV volume.

2. The alarm clock’s loudness can be set using the radio/TV volume knob. Be careful not to turn it too low if the radio or TV is used before the time when the alarm is set to go off.

Overall, the Vector Stormtracker Elite’s best functions are its weather alert radio, alarm clock, FM radio, and lights. The dynamo crank can be useful, but should not be relied upon to power the weather radio; bring batteries or an adapter if this is important. The Stormtracker Elite’s most valuable feature is its excellent weather band reception, which surpasses that of many such receivers.

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Tags: accessories, adapter, batteries, boaters, boats, campers, cellphone charger, clock, dynamo, elite, flashlight, hand-crank, lantern, LED, lights, marine weather, power, radio, review, speaker, stormtracker, television, tips, vector, vhf, weather
Posted in News, Product Reviews | No Comments »

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Posts Tagged ‘power’

Facts about Marine Power Europe Outboard Engines

Facts about Hyfong Outboard Engines

Then & Now

Makes & Models

Customer Satisfaction

Hyfong Parts & Manuals

Hyfong Outboard Dealer Locator

Briggs and Stratton Outboard Engine Facts

Go Boat Engine Shopping Armed With These Tips!

Vector Stormtracker Elite WC300DSV Review & Tips

Recently Updated Marinas