What brand of outboard engines is most KNOWN to be poor quality?

[cadmus]

What brand of small outboards is “known” to be the absolute worst quality and/or is "known" to be nearly impossible to fix or find parts?



The key here is “KNOWN” as in the company has large distribution and most everyone knows it is a junk brand.



I hope to rebrand my beloved engine with the aforementioned logo as it looks too new and is a good brand. Even if replacement stickers are not available I can reproduce them on vinyl. If our awesome globetrotting cruisersforum members can also advise where (regionally) these brands would or would not be recognized or loathed, that will help.

Thanks in advance for your ideas.

[skipperpete]

Well John Steinbeck hated the Hanson SeaCow and my former crew had a deep loathing for the “ British Seagull”, the only outboard motor that came with a starter cord and handle that you could use to beat the engine with when it inevitably misbehaved. My personal most hated was Chrysler.
....and of the more modern engines, Mercury and I have not had an amicable relationship.

[gaucho]

Yamaha rules the caribbean. If you get your hands on a 2 stroke Enduro, simplicity and reliability are the name.

[SVTatia]

Why not just paint the cover with a very distinguished color or come up with a fake brand, like NoGo?
No matter what brand they can still be stolen, and I think this is the purpose of your post?
Be careful though, as an example, Mercury outboards are rebranded Tohatsus.

[cadmus]

Originally Posted by SVTatia

they can still be stolen, and I think this is the purpose of your post?

Yes, a strategy not unlike the ugly globby fake patches on my hypalon rib.

[cadmus]

Originally Posted by SVTatia

Why not just paint the cover with a very distinguished color or come up with a fake brand, like NoGo?

thanks for the response

Reflective bright spray paint was what i originally planned. bright pink. Or something else offensive to the eyes and hard to hide.

I have a close friend with a vinyl sticker maker so a cowling sticker disguise is not hard.
I COULD make up a fake brand or just copy one off alibaba or madeinchina[dot]com. I figured if people knew of an infamously bad Asian knockoff brand it would make the decision easy. I can cut a paste a few for shnits and giggles.

[cadmus]

Originally Posted by skipperpete

Well John Steinbeck hated the Hanson SeaCow and my former crew had a deep loathing for the “ British Seagull”....

thank you for this laugh (seahorse). I read that book in high school because it was the only nonfiction book on the "acceptable" American Lit list. I should revisit it.
Thank you also for introducing me to a fine piece of British boating history. I read the history page:
https://www.britishseagull.com/history.php
Sadly it has no cowling sticker

[cadmus]

Originally Posted by gaucho

Yamaha rules the caribbean. If you get your hands on a 2 stroke Enduro, simplicity and reliability are the name.

That is the problem Gaucho, I have a pristine Yamaha 2stroke and i want to keep it from being nicked.

[Oeanda]

Paint it up hideously, and add an unappealing brand name like Schitz or Suxzuki. My least favourite have been the Mercs I’ve had but... they’re still stealable looking when shiny.

[boden36]

I suggest you paint it green and affix a Volvo logo.

[LittleWing77]

Mercury...

[CarlF]

Sears

Although getting the rust and yellowed plastic details may be a graphics challenge.

[Sand crab]

Coleman had a short run of outboards. They were rebranded chinese somethings and were guaranteed to fail as soon as they left the store.

[rwidman]

Rather than messing up a perfectly good motor, why not:

1) Be more selective in where you leave it unattended.
2) Secure the motor with a lock and steel cable or other theft deterring device.
3) Get theft insurance.

[cadmus]