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POWER AMERICA TOUR
COMES TO MODESTO
By: Tim Paes
October 31, 2002…. I spent last weekend
at Bob’s Marine, in Modesto, at the Evinrude Outboards Power
America Tour. Bombardier, the parent company of Evinrude, tours a
specialty trailer that carries a full line of 2003 product plus displays
and information on the Evinrude Ficht Direct Injection technology.
The trailer made it’s way to Modesto as
part of its nationwide tour and Bob’s Marine was selected for this
West Coast stop. Bill Donaleski, owner of Bob’s Marine, is northern
California’s Evinrude dealer and also the newest Stratos dealer in the
region. I’m sponsored by Bob’s Marine and Stratos Boats and was on
hand to lend my support.
Present on Friday was Krista Heidgerken,
Senior Communications Specialist with Bombardier’s Boats and Outboard
Engines Division along with Mike Martinson, Field Service Manager with
Bombardier’s Boats and Outboard Engines Division. Also on hand was
Stratos/Evinrude National Prostaff members Norval Pimentel and Rich
Tauber along with Bob’s Marine Prostaff members, Anthony Pimentel,
Kirk Hill, Jason Horton and Tom Gaylor.
I spoke with Krista about Evinrude
Outboards and Bombardier’s plans for the future.
She told me that Bombardier understood the importance of the west
coast market and their intent was to vigorously support us. It was
refreshing to hear Krista talk about the west coast as a viable market
for Evinrude products because sometimes we feel like forgotten souls out
west. It was clear to me that Bombardier was going to let their presence
be known and the consumers would be the beneficiary.
 I
also spent some time talking to Mike Martinson about the outboards. In
talking with Mike it became clear to me that Bombardier and OMC, the
original parent company of Evinrude, are two completely different
organizations. Bombardier has taken the proven Ficht technology and
revamped them to be stronger and more durable. They have addressed and
corrected design issues with the motors. They have improved the lower
units by redesigning and installing larger gears to make them stronger
and much more dependable. These motors have been significantly improved
since the days of OMC!
California is a very stringent state to
operate an outboard motor in. Many companies feel four stroke technology
is the way to go because of emissions and fuel economy. However, four
strokes are heavier and don’t provide hole shot acceleration and the
top end speed of two strokes. Bombardier takes both these issues head
on!
Bombardier doesn’t feel you should have
to sacrifice performance just because you live in California. They have
proven that with Ficht Direct Injection technology. Evinrude outboards
exceed 2006 EPA emission regulations and meet the even more stringent
California Air Resources Board regulations. They were chosen by the
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency as the outboard to patrol Lake Tahoe,
beating out the four-stroke competition. They insist Evinrude Ficht
Direct Injection technology will continue to meet future regulations
without compromising performance.
With today’s rising fuel costs,
efficiency on the water is also very important. With Evinrude, you
don’t have to sacrifice fuel economy for performance. Evinrude
outboards are equal too, and exceed some of the four-stroke competition
in fuel economy.
I walked away this weekend feeling good
about the future of boating in California, knowing that my next Stratos
boat will run an Evinrude outboard that surpasses the four-stroke
competition on speed, hole shot, weight, fuel economy and emissions.
Plus they are the only outboard motor offering a three-year
non-declining warranty. This tells me they believe in their product!
Bob’s Marine will have the new motors
in stock soon. Come by for a visit to get more information. They’ll
also be getting Stratos boats very soon; you’ll want to see the
2003’s!
Bob’s is a full service, parts and
accessories boat shop that carries Stratos and Champion bass boats,
Crestliner fishing and pontoon boats, Glastron pleasure boats and Gekko
ski boats. |
