Re: What makes a commercial motor…commercial?

[DAN ANDERSON]

It depends on when (year you asked) as far as OMC was concerned. We are talking late model engines here (1980 and up). In the beginning there wasn’t much difference at all. Maybe a chrome water pump kit, styling (paint, decals). They would advertise SS hardware, but all of the motors had that. Later they added the next larger gearcase to the motors. Two cylinders would run a three cylinder gearcase. Three cylinders a four cylinder. V-6s a V-8. They added some fuel filters, etc! Not that much different really. Worldwide they would offer strange models to us. 22 1/2" length versions, 125hp electric start tiller steered loopers. A/C lighting. Of course jets in all kinds of HP. I’m sure I’m leaving some oddball stuff out, but all kinds of things got built over the years. You have probably seen Sea Drives, but has everybody seen a Quiet Rider and its application? Check out the military engine they throw out of an airplane. Sinks to the bottom of the ocean. They bring it up, purge the cylinders and start it, go. That is a throw away motor! Oh, I forgot the diesels and kero motors!

Dan in TN