Overseas Outboard Dealers

Carl

Carl

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Staff member
I did a web search for 20hp 4 stroke electric start outboards the other day.
I was surprised how many Asian (Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong)outboard dealers popped up and more so by the wide inventory and prices.
A number of new in box 2018-2020 models at what seemed to be very low prices. Under $2000 in many instances. And 30 day shipping to the US.
I assume what appears too good to be true probably is
Anyone have any experience with these dealers???
Not that I?m tempted, mainly curious.
 
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Carl I also learned they still make brand new Yamaha 2 strokes available just not in the US. Man I would love a 60 Hp.
 

I was researching outboards online also.
Then I went to a local marina and talked with them about ordering an outboard from them. I lucked out, and bought a nice 2018 from a buddy when he heard I was looking.
From what I understand, the overseas motors were not intended to be sold in the USA and will have no warranty.
Or it is just a scam website.
I decided I was going to order local and just wait until it came in. They told me they were getting small outboards in slowly, and not getting any large outboards. I was willing to pay a few hundred more, and be sure not to get scammed, plus have a local place to go to if I had any issues.
 
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Carl said:
I did a web search for 20hp 4 stroke electric start outboards the other day.
I was surprised how many Asian (Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong)outboard dealers popped up and more so by the wide inventory and prices.
A number of new in box 2018-2020 models at what seemed to be very low prices. Under $2000 in many instances. And 30 day shipping to the US.
I assume what appears too good to be true probably is
Anyone have any experience with these dealers???
Not that I?m tempted, mainly curious.
Click to expand...

Carl, I was just talking to my local outboard guy about the lack of available motors a couple of weeks ago. He told me anything under 60hp was now built overseas and most by Tohatsu then private labeled. That includes Mercury, Suzuki, some Hondas and some Yamaha models. In the states 60hp and up Mercury's are still built in Fond Du Lac, WI. All Mercury motors under that size are build and imported from overseas. He can't even get Mercury parts for outboard repair from their Mexico plants because the Mexico plants can't get what they need from their overseas suppliers. Covid has put everything on hold. This shop sells Lowe boats and he told me he has been allocated only 21 boats for 2022. Today your outboard options outside of Mercury are Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda and Tohatsu. If I didn't have to rely on a local shop for maintenance, I'd seriously consider ordering. In our area we are down to three options for maintenance. Unfortunately, if you don't buy local you better be prepared to take it to the shop you traveled to purchase from. Loyalty has become a driving force here.
 
Carl,


This is my understanding as well. It also falls in line with my research several years ago when I was looking for a professional grade camera. Yes, there were the "same" models sold elsewhere in the world, not intended for the USA, but those units did not carry the same USA warranty we have come to expect.

And yes, it is also a prime situation for somebody to be operating a flat-out scam.
 
Yep, I believe the USA and EU are the only areas that banned 2 strokes. Most other countries still allow them.
I've always heard the older 3 cylinder Yamaha 30hp 2 stroke oil injected engines were the best small outboard in that size range ever made.
 
Yep, that is my understanding as well: Tohatsu/Nissan is making everyone's small outboards these days.
I wish now that I had kept my 18hp Nissan with electric start when I sold my old boat and bought the Smokercraft w/the 25 Merc.
Younger man's mistake!
 
Carl,
I am looking for a 4hp motor for my scull boat. Was considering
Honda or Yamaha. I found the small outboard
Honda's are made in China.

RVZ
 
Last new outboard I bought is a 6hp Tohatsu 4 stroke for my Solo Skiff. Best price was at onlineoutboards.com and they also offer free shipping. Originally it was "out of stock" but I supplied them with my email and a month later was informed "back in stock". It was delivered within 5 days.
 
I had some issues with my 15 two stroke early in the season it got to the point where I just didn?t trust it and I didn?t want to start pulling the motor apart figured it was a good winter project. The dealers around here laughed at me when I inquired about purchasing a new one. So I got online and spent a good part of the day tracking one down. I ended up purchasing a Suzuki 20 hp mainly because of the weight which is 97 pounds their 9, 15, 20 have the same block and weight the motor came from plateau marine I believe they do their online business under different name marine I purchased the motor on a wed it was at my door Monday afternoon . I was a little hesitant about a purchase like that online I put in on my credit card in case there was an issue but it worked out just fine and the price was very fair
 
They don't come with a warranty and I believe, but I might be wrong, the 2 strokes still made for overseas are subject to seizure by customs coming into the USA. I saw the same as many people are mentioning. Yamaha still makes 2 stroke outboards, as well as others, for sale overseas. They come into the USA from customs, they peek in the crate, see it's a 2-stroke, it gets seized.

That was explained to me by someone who sells outboards.

Not everything gets inspected. However, I have a feeling a 100 lb + crate with Yamaha, Suzuki, etc written on the side might.

Yes, it's a shame.
 
I would not even consider ordering a 2 stroke at this point. The little bit of extra wieght of the current 4 strokes is offset by carying 3 gallons less gas!
 
100 percent correct on fuel efficiency there is certainly a noticeable difference between the 2 stroke and four stroke the four stroke sips fuel I can get away with a 3 gallon tank 95 percent of the time
 
Carl said:
Good lead, here is their website: https://outboarddirect.com
Click to expand...

They still might flag them in customs for emissions. The real problem is, and this has actually been beat up online:

1) No warranty. Not a huge deal on a smaller motors, though.

2) Import customs tax if they don't seize it. Might be perfectly legally to import them. They will definitely require a tax though.

3) Cost of freight/shipping.

4) Reputation of dealer, although, that site seems legitimate.

A lot of people in the past discounted that idea because by the time shipping, import taxes, etc were paid it was more than a new motor. However, with everything in drastically short supply, I see the appeal. I have read stories online of guys ordering OB's within the USA and having them shipped.
 
Carl said:
Outboards Direct appears to be US based.
Click to expand...

Didn't know that. The price on the DF20 is incredibly attractive. I won't how much freight is? Little undersized for my boat but that's a highly regarded motor.
 
The 20HP Suzuki with electric start is what I am looking at, lightest 20hp 4 stroke on the market and a 5 year warranty.
 
It?s a nice motor I am happy with it so far I couldn?t justify spending what some of these guys were asking for a 90?s 15 two stroke for a little bit more money I could have something new with a 5 year warranty like mentioned I don?t have electric start on mine I didn?t want have a battery capable of turning it over in a sneakbox honestly it?s rather easy to pull over probably easier than my 15 two stroke
 
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