#zeglarstwo #historia #mechanika

EVINRUDE introduced a “FOUR-STROKE” outboard, two inboards and two boats in 1916

In 1916, Evinrude Motors, now owned by Ole’s ex-partner Chris Meyer, introduced a four-cycle, opposed twin-cylinder outboard producing 4-horsepower and costing $125 to its product line. Unfortunately, the motor failed to deliver any significant speed or performance increase over the improved single-cylinder, two-cycle Evinrudes, though weighting and costing considerably more. It was discontinued after 1917.

Notably, a pair of two-cycle “inboards” were also introduced in 1916. The single-cylinder 2-horsepower model cost $50, while the two-cylinder 5-horsepower model cost $90. That year, Evinrude Motors also ventured into the boat building business showcasing two 16-foot boats - a round bottom model ($80) and flat bottom model ($40) - for use with its motors.

Sales, however, continued to decline for Meyer, and by 1917, had fallen to 5,534 units, or roughly half the volume produced by Ole and Bess the year they embarked on their five-year retirement and non-compete in 1914. Despite lagging in sales, Evinrude Motors was still the leading outboard producer when Ole’s non-compete expired in 1919.

(Brochure cover upper left.)