BRP is back in the outboard game

[Bill N]

They can't deliver complete SeaDoos or SkiDoos, but hey, at least they have time to re-invent the outboard.

BRP Unveils Groundbreaking Rotax Outboard Engine with Stealth Technology

The new Rotax 'Ghost' outboard engines are horizontally designed, rather than vertically, allowing them to be mounted below the stern deck. They will be offered in 115 and 150 hp configurations. Big news from BRP today as the Quebec-based company announced a new series of Rotax engines that...

www.boatblurb.com

 

[Jack M]

That must have been the Ghost Project that I had heard about .

 

[Vikingstaff]

Interesting read. BRP is really trying to push back into the boating and motor market. Interesting design and concept. You point out some interesting irony Bill with their lack of ability to deliver, or delivery completely put together, Ski Doo’s and Sea Doo’s.

 

[DVW]

I normally embrace innovation and have respect for BRP corp. but in this case I think this motor will not succeed in the marketplace. The power unit hangs behind the transom with much of it below the water line. At times the 3 cylinder power unit will be completely submerged. It is vulnerable from leaks and impact. The swim deck (above the motor) gets lifted when the motor trims up. This bulbous rear deck does not integrate well with the Manitou or Alumacraft boat lines. I hope for their sake that they are not forced to commit fully to this 'technology'.

 

[Bill N]

I think they have taken a nice looking Manitou pontoon and sculpted it into something quite undesirable.
Looks like a real pontoon had sex with a SeaDoo shift, and this deformed spawn is the result.

 

[Potomacbassin’]

I like having the ability to repower down the line to another manufacturer. Not so much with this new concept.

Not to mention BRP already leaving Evinrude customers and dealers at the altar once, who's to say they won't do it again.

 

[Jack M]

They way the market has been since they dropped Evinrude , I'm sure they would have sold a few .

 

[Jack M]

Interesting read. BRP is really trying to push back into the boating and motor market. Interesting design and concept. You point out some interesting irony Bill with their lack of ability to deliver, or delivery completely put together, Ski Doo’s and Sea Doo’s.

To my knowledge the dealers were/are not being reimbursed for assembly when the parts came .

 

[tinkertoy]

Is that a 2 stroke? It said "no oil changes"...
tt

 

[Jack M]

I would guess yes ,based on their history of 2 strokes .

 

[Bill N]

It is indeed an ETEC (2 stroke)

 

[DVW]

The Rotax motor reported in this thread must not be very successful in the market place. Now after three years last night was the first time I have seen one in the water (see photo). As one can see from the detail photo the motor cover seal is half under water. The motor crankcase looks vulnerable. The boat was in front of us when it took off quickly. From that vantage point and at that moment the motor was quite loud but it sounded really good. Also note the great attitude of the boat. The boat must not need to support the wieght of the motor. That would be true unless the motor cover leaks.

 

[DVW]

I like having the ability to repower down the line to another manufacturer. Not so much with this new concept…

After carful examination at the boat dealer I have determined that the boat could be easily repowered. The motor is bolted to the transom with the industry standard bolt pattern. One would lose the full width swim deck. This could create interesting opportunities.

 

[PartyBarge]

Wow, looks like BPR didn't learn anything after earlier go-rounds with lean-burn, direct-injection, 2-cycle disasters! Pretty much started with the circa 2002-2003 Seadoo RXDI fiascos and continued with the Evinrude disaster. They can be great performance/racing motors, but self-destruct quickly with any reduction in fuel pressure (or poor fuel). Suppose one could search it, but there really is no need to see the ugly pistons and cylinders that those things produce. And, all it takes is a failing fuel pump or a fuel filter that is just doing it's job!

Guess all that needs to be said is that these things were announced well over two years ago, but there is still little current info.

Rotax S150 Outboard

Get an in-depth look at the Rotax S150 outboard to see what this revolutionary motor has to offer in terms of performance and versatility.

boatingmag.com

 

[Pbakk]

I am no expert, but I give BRP credit for trying to innovate. I have had great luck with their snowmobile engines. Their ACE engine is amazing IMO and their direct injection snowmobile engine around here seem to be very reliable. While snowmobiles and boat engines are not the same, they seem to be trying to do something different - it has to be difficult to compete with the market share of Yamaha and Mercury.
As a consumer, more options can be better although I try to stay away from cutting edge (or bleeding edge) technology with motors having been burned with an early Ficht (spelling?) direct injection motor. Hopefully they have fully tested this new offering.

 

[DVW]

Quote from Boating Mag: BRP says the Rotax outboard design is scalable... Born of a brainstorm in 2019, the Rotax outboard required a determined effort to bring to market.

No shit! Did no one at BRP speak up and say “the emperor has no clothes”. A power head protruding out back below the water line has too many failure modes. No amount of electric actuated exhaust passage valves and electronic motor protection devices can protect this motor from the harsh marine environment. Adding to the complexity is electronic engine controls (throttle and shift) and electric power steering. The many advantages to this design will not be obvious to the average buyer and will not offset the disadvantages obvious to a experienced buyer.

 

[Potomacbassin’]

BRP recognized that Yamaha, Merc and Zuke (and lesser Honda, Tohatsu) are really good at OB's and put a lot of resources into innovation and keeping market share. Then you have the game where they strike deals to buy transoms and/or outright build boats (ala Skeeter), which is partly why I assume they acquired Manitou.

But as you know BRP is unloading all their marine assets including Manitou and focusing on their powersports, which if you're a shareholder is the right move. End of an era for sure.

 

[DVW]

I suspect that the boat shown in the original post was recently sold by Miller Marine (with full disclosure) for $32k.

 

[DVW]

But as you know BRP is unloading all their marine assets including Manitou and focusing on their powersports, which if you're a shareholder is the right move. End of an era for sure.

I am hoping Manitou will survive the storm created by BRP. Their use of automotive style stamped aluminum side panels is good innovation. I suspect Bennington will follow their lead but with better style.

 

[Nautical]

I'm surprised they're going to try again with yet another of their marine engine "innovations" since they did "so well" with the last one! What is that old joke "Doc, it hurts when I do this?" LOL!

What they did to Manitou is criminal.