OUTBOARD HISTORY

Outboards are a hot topic in today’s boating arena. They’ve never been more popular as a propulsion system for recreational boats, except perhaps in the 1950s and ’60s before sterndrives became widespread. Let’s look at the history of the outboard. How much do you know—or, if you’re older, how much do you remember? —John Tiger (Answers on page 21)

1. Who is generally accepted as the inventor of the outboard engine, and when was it invented?

A. Ole Evinrude, founder of Evinrude Outboards, in 1907

B. Gustave Trouve, in 1880

C. Emerson Harthan of Massachusetts, in 1887

D. Cameron Waterman, in 1903

E. All of the above

F. None of the above

2. Which company started building outboards in a Wisconsin dairy barn in 1939?

A. Johnson Outboards

B. Honda

C. Mercury Marine

D. Evinrude Outboards

E. Kiekhaefer Marine

3. Way back in 1972, and even before that, all outboard manufacturers took dramatic steps to clean up emissions from their outboards. What were some of those measures?

A. Eliminated all overboard fuel drains

B. Made them run on electricity

C. Reduced oil mixture ratio to 50-to-1 on all engines

D. Made them four-stroke designs

E. A and C

F. None of the above

4. What popular outboard manufacturer first included such modern features as power trim and tilt, through propeller exhaust, and through-tilt tube steering on its engines?

A. Evinrude

B. Yamaha

C. Mercury

D. None of the above

5. Mercury outboards have been known for a very long time for their Phantom Black paint. But they weren’t always painted black; when did this change happen, and what color were they before this?

A. Blue

B. Orange and black

C. Red and white

D. White

6. What outboard brand holds the title of “World’s Fastest Outboard”?

A. Yamaha

B. Tohatsu

C. Mercury

D. Evinrude

E. None of the above