Marine Industry News...
More interesting news from the fine folks at Tunnel Boat Performance. Make sure to check out their website also for some great information! :cool:
TBPNews #55 - February 28, 2004 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >>>>>> Tunnel Boat Performance News >>>>>>>>>>>>>> (now over 4500 members!) ================================================== ======================= In this issue: 1) Mercury launches Project X 2) Best Engine Voting of 2003 3) Hull-splashing decision affects whole industry 4) Chris-Craft will tour vintage shows 5) Mercury reacts to decision in engine dumping case 6) 'Hot Boat' magazine - Save 51%! 7) ** NEW ** 'Tunnel Boat Design' Software - Version 7.5 ******************** TBPNews ******************* 1) Mercury launches Project X MIAMI, Fla. - Mercury Marine launched its long-awaited Project X four-stroke engine line, to a large crowd at the Miami International Boat Show. The engine line, named the Verado, is the first four-stroke engine manufactured by Mercury and will be offered in 200, 225, 250, and 275 hp. It will also be the first production supercharged outboard engine available. Mercury says it is the strongest and quietest four-stroke on the market, as well. The in-line six-cylinder has a displacement of 2.6 liters, or 158.5 cubic inches. The Verado's valve train features four valves for each of its cylinders with a double-overhead cam design. Fuel will be delivered via a computer-controlled, sequential, multi-port fuel injection system. "The introduction of Verado is a landmark for Mercury Marine and the dawning of a new era for the outboard industry. The six-plus-year project cost Mercury more than $100 million to produce, what it says is the most sophisticated marine propulsion system in history. The Verado, Mercury says, is a completely integrated propulsion system with steering and control systems. Mercury says this will also be one of the quietest engines on the market, utilizing a low-pass acoustic system. The company says that the engine can't be heard by most passengers at idle speeds. The product also features the SmartCraft Digital Throttle and Shift technology, which was introduced in the OptiMax product line in model year 2002. This couples with Mercury's exclusive ElectroHydraulic Steering system that is said to eliminate undesirable steering torque without sacrificing engine "feel." The initial line of products will begin production in April, and the yet-to-be-announced remainder of the family will be available within the 2005 model year. ******************** TBPNews ******************* 2) Best Engine Voting of 2003 Which engines were voted the "Best Engines of 2003"? J.D. Power and Associates report covers customer satisfaction with marine engines. About 75% of first time boat buyers indicated that "Engine Type and Technology" had little or no impact on their decisions about the type of boat or engine to buy. Interestingly though, within the group of buyers who had previous experience with marine engines, the number dropped well below 50%! Anglers, who use their boats for both trolling and for getting to and from the fishing grounds, show a higher concern for engine type and new technology. Runabout and Express Cruiser owners showed a lower interest. Outboard Category: Engines using 4-Stroke EFI technology had the fewest number of problems. The 2-Stroke, carbureted engines reported the most problems. Evinrude had the highest rating for 2-Stroke engines, with Yamaha a close second. Evinrude had high marks for fuel economy and lack of fumes. Yamaha did the best for quietness, ease of starting and warranty coverage. Yamaha ranked number one in the 4-Stroke category, with Honda in second place. Yamaha also did well in ease of starting when cold and cruising speed. Honda received high marks for fuel economy and warranty coverage. Straight Inboards: Boat owners with straight, inboard engine installations were the most satisfied by far. Inboard engine owners reported less than half the number of problems than did Outboard and Inboard/Outboard owners. Pleasure Craft Engine Group (PCM) ranked highest in this category. If you would like to look at this information for yourself, go to J. D. Power and Associates Consumer Center and select "Engine Quality/Performance" to read their full press release. http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/XJ&sdn=po...power.com%2Fcc %2Fboats%2Findex.jsp ******************** TBPNews ******************* 3) Hull-splashing decision affects whole industry There are lots of views on "Hull splashing" - here's another article. The industry needs better product design protection, says the company on the losing end of a copycat suit. But Maverick adds, it will "continue to work within the legal process to resolve this issue." A federal judge ruled that Pro-Line's 22 Bay Boat is an original design, and is not substantially similar in appearance to Maverick's Pathfinder 2200 V-Hull. Maverick had filed suit in the hull-splashing dispute back in 2002. The legal battle between Pro-Line and Maverick began when Maverick filed its lawsuit, claiming the Pro-Line 22 infringed on Maverick's design of its Pathfinder 2200. Maverick also had warned Pro-Line dealers that if they continued to market the 22 Bay Boat, they, too, could be held liable for infringing on Maverick's rights under the Vessel Hull Design Protection Act. ******************** TBPNews ******************* 4) Chris-Craft will tour vintage shows Chris-Craft Boats is going to take its 130th anniversary celebration on the road this summer, charting out a tour of antique and classic boat shows across the nation. The company already has lined up appearances in Mount Dora, Fla.; North Lake Tahoe, Calif.; and Bay Harbor, Mich., and says its goal is to add as many as seven more shows. The company dates to 1874, when founder Christopher Columbus Smith built his first rowboat. For perspective, Chris-Craft points out that James Polk was president at the time; Thomas Edison was born that year; and an unknown author named Emily Brontė was publishing a novel titled "Wuthering Heights ******************** TBPNews ******************* 5) Mercury reacts to decision in engine dumping case FOND DU LAC, Wis. - Mercury Marine President Patrick C. Mackey is "gratified" by the U.S. International Trade Commission's (ITC) ruling Monday that opened the door for what he termed "a full-fledged investigation" into pricing practices by Japanese marine-engine manufacturers. The ITC "determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by imports of outboard engines from Japan that are sold in the United States at less than fair value". Mercury's release said the company presented evidence at an ITC conference on Feb. 2, "that Japanese outboard-engine companies have engaged in unfair trade practices in the U.S. for several years and that they continue to do so." In its response to the ruling, the Yamaha Marine Group said the ITC's decision was based on the low threshold imposed for continuing the case. As a result of the commission's ruling, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue its antidumping investigation with a preliminary determination due on or about June 16, the ITC statement said. Copies of the commission's Feb. 23 findings are expected to be available after March 22, and can be obtained by calling 202/205-1809. Requests may also be faxed to 202/205-2104. ******************** TBPNews ******************* 7) 'Hot Boat' magazine - Save 51%! We have obtained great deals on Powerboat magazine subscriptions. This month we have a great deal on the popular 'Hot Boat' magazine. Hot Boat is prop and jet driven boat enthusiasts bible. Each issue featuring tests, technical and product reviews, adventure travel, outboard and drag racing coverage, high performance tips, and outboard RPM tricks. 11 issues Published: Seasonal; Cover Rate: $54.89; Our Rate: $27.00 (Save 51%) http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/bo...discounts.html ******************** TBPNews ******************* 8) NEW 'Tunnel Boat Design' Software - Version 7.5 We've just released the new Tunnel Boat Design Software - version 7.5. This is the best release yet - with the most dynamic and plentiful new features ever! Check out new features at http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/tbdp6.html, or download the summary of new features http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/Ne...ersion%207.zip ******************** TBPNews ******************* See you next time! |
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