Who Makes What?

[denjac]

Drive Manufacturer Who Actually Builds the Drives

Bombardier/OMC

Johnson and Evinrude Under both builders, from the powerhead down, the major differences in Johnson and Evinrude are the cowls and paint color.

Until 2006, Suzuki manufactured the Johnson four strokes up to 225 HP.

For 2006 Suzuki only makes the Johnson four strokes up through 30 HP, Evinrude produces direct injected two strokes (E-Tec) 40 HP and above.

Nissan Nissan outboards are built by Tohatsu

Honda Long ago, some Honda three cylinder powerheads were mounted on Mercury drive legs and props. For the last several years, Honda has built its full line of outboards.

Mercury Marine 2006 model Mercury four strokes from 2.5 through 30 HP are built by Tohatsu.

Before Yamaha entered the U.S. market, Mercury's Mariner line was built by Yamaha.

Last year (2005), Mercury four stroke powerheads from 25 through 225 HP (except the Verados) were built by Yamaha. Several of those models used Mercury drive legs, electronics and EFI systems (replacing carbs Yamaha used in similar sized engines).

In 2006 models, Mercury four stroke powerheads from 40 to 225 HP (except the Verados) are built by Yamaha.

Mercury's agreement with Yamaha ended in March 2006, at which time Mercury is expected to phase in more four cylinders (75 to 115 HP) based on the Verado engine block, but without supercharging or intercooling.

[Gatorjet]

And now look into boat manufacturers.

Genmar makes Ranger, Champion, Stratos, along with Wellcraft, Four Winds, and other sport boats.

Marine Group, maker of Procraft and Fisher is part of Tracker Marine Group, a division of Bass Pro Shops.

Does that mean a Ranger is a Champion is a Stratos. A procraft is a Nitro? No, I'm sure the "bean counters" are in the same corporate office, but each division is run individually as far as design, production, and QC. The advantage could be they learn from each other, and share information.

It's just fun to go to the boat show and play with the Ranger salesman a little. Asking him if Ranger and Champion aren't made by the same company, and watching him squirm! LOL

[denjac]

Gatorjet, I didnt know that either and according to my wife I know everything!

[taxidermist]

Now get real. the same company does not both boats. two different companies under one corperation..

Rangers are all built in the Flippin AR plant.

What you are saying is worse than GMC and Chevrolet trucks being the same. Boats are more different than the badges on them...

Call Randy Hopper at Ranerg and ask him! 870-453 2222 Randy.Hopper@RangerBoats.com

[Gatorjet]

Now get real. the same company does not both boats. two different companies under one corperation..

Rangers are all built in the Flippin AR plant.

What you are saying is worse than GMC and Chevrolet trucks being the same. Boats are more different than the badges on them...

Call Randy Hopper at Ranerg and ask him! 870-453 2222 Randy.Hopper@RangerBoats.com

Isn't that what I said? Bean counters in the same corporate office, seperate operations for production.

BTW, my father worked at the St. Louis

CHEVROLET plant for 37 years. Chevrolet AND GMC trucks ran down the same EXACT line, one behind the other. Don't know what they are doing now at Government Motors, he retired 40 years ago.

[fishinwrench]

Do you know what boat building company(s) operate free of corporate backing ?

Aside from the fact that all companies (and corporations) in this nation (from Rusty's bait shop and Howdy-Doody Plumbing, to Microsoft and Ford motor co.) all operate under the ceiling of of one mega-giant....called the Federal Government.

Accounting and stock holder groups have no effect on individual design and quality between companys. A Genmar aquisition does not grant every builder within the Genmar group free reign to all designs and patents of the others listed under the group.

So if Gatorjets Ranger salesman squirms when asked that, it should only be because he's not in the mood to spend an hour trying to explain it to someone.

[fishinwrench]

Here's a few links that kind of tell the story of what the corporation does for the builders within it's group.

http://www.ababoats.com/

http://www.genmar.com/aboutus/history.cfm

[Gatorjet]

Do you know what boat building company(s) operate free of corporate backing ?

Gator Boats Cuba Missouri.

Granted, custom inboard jets are a niche product, and it's a small operation. The guy you buy your boat from, helps you design what you want, also builds them.

How about Earl Bentz Triton Boats?

Charger Boats?

I don't know how much Wall Street involvement ther is in those two.

I didn't mean to ruffle anybody's feathers, just thought it interesting how almost everything is owned by a few large corporations. Not to insinuate that it is a bad thing, just interesting.

Oh, and most of the time when I mentioned it to a salesman, they didn't try to explain it, just denied it. They may not even know themselves.

[BIG K]

Some more info. it is my understanding that GENMAR is in a financial meltdown buttttttt! Erwin Jacobs CEO will be able to take a chapt 13 wash his hands of all the debt and dirt and then with a clean slate buy ranger ( considered the crown jewel of genmar) back. How nice what a guy he is. I have also heard that if all this falls through (witch i hope it does ) the WOODS family has agreed to buy back Ranger

[VIP]

I used to work for Lowe boats, and they are owned by Brunswick. We made Lowe, Crestliner, Triton all in the same line. Same boat, different paint and decals. They (Brunswick) bought boat companies like bubblegum, then began shutting them down and moving to other plants. Their goal is to get them all in one or two locations. I can tell you first hand, the bigger the company gets, the worse the quality is.

I think it's a shame that these companies are buying up all these brands, cause it will lead to higher prices and less choices.