-> The room fell silent as T Owen whispered to Brian Glapa... 
 TO> Mercury is the best gasoline powered consumer marine engine, bar none. 
My, my, rather harsh statements. Consider the following, if you will: OMC is
the largest outboard manufacturer in the world, period. It makes more models
than everyone else and sells to more countries than anyone else. Do you think
they got this way by building an inferior product? Piffle. OMC has problems
just like anyone else and has produced models they aren't proud of, just like
Merc (ever own a 402?), Suzuki, Yamaha, et al. What really matters is how
they handle warranty and service after the sale. You can own the most
reliable motor in the world, but it won't mean squat to you if no one knows
how to service it or parts can't be found. This, IMHO, is what sets OMC
apart. 
As a dealer, I see the good, the bad, and the ugly and my experience in
dealing with OMC for parts and service is better than any other supplier. I
have been able to secure warranty repairs for customers as long as 3 years
after their warranty expired and parts availability has always been
excellent. As always, there will be exceptions and I'm sure there are many
people who could site examples where they felt they weren't treated fairly.
Such is the case with Mercury, I'm sure you'll agree. You get the same type
of circular arguments when people start arguing about Ford being better than
GM etc. It's all in who you talk to and what model you're talking about. I
think anyone making outboards nowadays makes a good product. Each has its
strengths and each has its weaknesses. Like politics, you can't please all
the people all the time so what are ya gonna do? 
 TO> Yes I have an idea that the OMC people know that Mercs are better, and
 TO> are ashamed to be associated with OMC!
How does one respond to such an outlandish statement? Words fail me.....
If this were the case, why wouldn't I just switch? 
 TO> There are a few kinks with a  
 TO> Merc, but I wouldn't buy anything else. The only thing that I dislike
 TO> about Mercs is that they are often hard to start, requiring a few 
 TO> trys.  
Funny, most people I know would find that reason enough to not buy one. Ask
yourself this, if they're so good, why won't they start? This seems pretty
basic to me. As a side bar, I should point out that Merc's are not hard to
start, buy they require a different technique. I store many Mercs and they
have as many problems as anyone.
 TO> Indeed, the end of season is the time to switch (to a Merc). You've 
 TO> had a Johnson, and that's the story with OMC; we've had 'em, and now 
 TO> we know better!
One motor didn't perform to expectation, and you slam the whole product line?
If I made my assessment of you based on what I've seen thus far, I'd think
you were an asshole, but I'm more open minded than that and prefer to give
you the benefit of the doubt and if given the chance, you're probably not as
bad a guy as your first impression indicates.
Regards,
          Dave
 
... After we pull the pin, Mr Grenade is no longer our friend.
--- Blue Wave v2.12
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