A reliable dinghy is essential for commercial fishing vessel owners, and a good dinghy requires a reliable outboard engine, but there are a lot of great outboard engine companies to choose from. Some companies focus on efficient but more expensive diesel motors, some build engines with admirable environmentally-friendly attachments, and so on. Choosing the right outboard engine will depend on a variety of factors, so we put together a list of the 6 outboard engine companies that commercial fishing vessel owners need to know in 2022.
OXE Marine boasts the world’s first high-performance diesel outboard engine, the OXE Diesel 300 HP, finally managing to pair the environmental benefits and higher torque of diesel with the convenience typically associated with gas-powered engines. The main selling point of the OXE Diesel 300 HP is the high efficiency and lower fuel consumption compared to gas engines; OXE claims an increased range of up to 87% on their new motor.
This breakthrough for high-performance motors comes at a time when the Swedish company has been expanding into the American market. With new distribution partnerships forming in a number of states from California to Florida, expect to hear more about OXE Marine in the future.
Cox is a worthy rival to OXE in producing diesel outboard motors. While the two companies compete in the diesel outboard engine niche in a number of important ways, including small differences in their engine capabilities stemming from decisions made by each respective company on what elements of engine performance to enhance or sacrifice, the excitement around both companies share a common thread: for boat owners able to afford a diesel outboard engine, the benefits are immense. For this reason, both Cox, and its competitor OXE, earned a spot on our list.
Cox bought a stand at the September Cannes Yachting festival to showcase the capabilities of its 300hp CXO300 engine, which embodies the virtues of diesel motors in general: fuel efficiency, safe storage, high peak torque, smooth operation… the list goes on. But as with most great technology, one of the reasons not everybody is switching to diesel is the higher price compared to gasoline.
Mercury Marine continues to earn its reputation as a stalwart player in the commercial fishing industry: trustworthy, well-regarded designs; a broad selection of engines for more fit-for-purpose choice, continuing innovation (including a two-stroke diesel engine of their own), and a ubiquity in the U.S. market that comes in handy when you need to find a trusted vendor quickly.
Mercury is pushing the boundaries of low-emission outboard engines with their Mercury Marine Avator Electric Outboard Concept set to be released later in 2022 and 2023. The reception and performance of the new concept will be important to watch as an example of how electric engines continue to improve; Mercury’s version has zero direct emissions, a simple operation, and quick charging batteries.
Honda is another major brand that you should expect to see on everyone’s list of great outboard companies for years to come. The size, scale, and reputation of the Honda parent company allows vessel owners to invest in an outboard without any of the second-guessing inherent in trying a new manufacturer.
Honda’s scale trickles down to prospective engine buyers in a few important ways. The company, well capable of absorbing losses, offers engine buyers a 5-year warranty, good financing options, and servicing infrastructure you would expect from such a major player. It’s these perks of corporate longevity that keep Honda, and the other well-known brands on our list, relevant in the face of a changing industry.
Suzuki will continue to be one of the most popular outboard motor brands for a number of reasons, but in 2022 they’re earning their spot on our list for their initiatives in environmentally-conscious motor design, as part of their Clean Ocean Project.
In August, Suzuki announced they had started production on 5 new outboard motor models that would each feature the world’s first micro-plastic collecting device as a standard feature on their equipment. The devices are designed to collect harmful plastic through the course of ordinary boat operation.
Yamaha, like Suzuki, like Honda, and like Mercury, has earned its place of the top of the outboard motor industry through years of proven reliability, widespread customer satisfaction, and a healthy blend of engine innovation while continuing to produce some of the industries greatest hits.
Like the other major brands, Yamaha keeps the public happy with a number of public-service initiatives. While these by no means improve or hurt the performance of their products, such projects, coming on top of the excellent statistics of their outboard motors, are one more reason for commercial fisherman to be happy giving their money to Yamaha.
Conclusion
Outboard engines are not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of large commercial fishing vessels, but fishing vessel owners know the value of a good outboard engine for dinghies and smaller vessels in their fleet. Our research into the 6 outboard engine companies commercial fishing vessel owners need to know about in 2022 identifies the major companies leading the way with safer, more efficient diesel engines and the stalwart major brands that have built their reputations for great outboard engines over decades, while also continuing to innovate.
