Price of new outboards

[Peter2673]

I had a recent discussion with a couple of mates and we couldn't work out the answer: why are outboards so expensive? At the bottom end of the market a 4hp outboard costs more than twice as much as a lawnmower with a 4hp engine, and further up a 100 hp outboard costs more than some cars with 100hp engines, ditto 250 Hp.

Is it just that the outboard manufacturers have a tradition of ripping us off, or is there something intrinsically expensive that I haven't taken in to account?

Pete

[Bigtalljv]

It's a luxury item so they can charge more. I'm sure they make a lot less outboards than other comparable gas powered equipment. how many people do you personally know that own lawn movers vs boats? So there is probably an increase in manufacturing costs with the "smaller" scale.

[Mollers]

It's a combination of factors. An outboard, due to it's working environment, non-corrosive materials etc, is a more expensive to produce than a lawnmower.

Scale of economy. Relatively low numbers of outboards sold/built, when compared with other petrol driven consumer items.

Ultimately, charge as much as the customer is willing to pay.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Ford have made 350million vehicles in 109 years tohatsu have built3.5million outboards in 61years approx.

[paintman]

It's a leisure item.
It's also an item used with a boat.
A boat is a hole in the water that you throw money into......

[Peter2673]

Yes, points all taken, but Jeff's figure of 3.5 million still allows good economy of scale, and although Ford makes more vehicles, they give you an engine that comes with its own coolant, and a radiator, and a proper alternator, and fuel tank and pipe included, and a clutch, and a multi speed gearbox, and a differential, and TWO driving wheels, and what's more, you get a free car attached.

OK, I'll calm down and accept the hole in the water principle :-)

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Peter2673

Yes, points all taken, but Jeff's figure of 3.5 million still allows good economy of scale, and although Ford makes more vehicles, they give you an engine that comes with its own coolant, and a radiator, and a proper alternator, and fuel tank and pipe included, and a clutch, and a multi speed gearbox, and a differential, and TWO driving wheels, and what's more, you get a free car attached.

OK, I'll calm down and accept the hole in the water principle :-)

if you look at a typical small car cost and say a small rib & engine they are not far apart in the scheme of things as said leisure market look at the cost of a caravan as a comparison.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Peter2673

Yes, points all taken, but Jeff's figure of 3.5 million still allows good economy of scale, and although Ford makes more vehicles, they give you an engine that comes with its own coolant, and a radiator, and a proper alternator, and fuel tank and pipe included, and a clutch, and a multi speed gearbox, and a differential, and TWO driving wheels, and what's more, you get a free car attached.

OK, I'll calm down and accept the hole in the water principle :-)

Yes, but how many lawnmower manufacturers have 29 different engines to manufacture ?