The reason for the OMC 5hp was Sears. Sears was selling their Eska-built motors like crazy. So, OMC built their 5hp to directly compete. The strategy was to offer a good, high quality, motor at a competitive price to Eska’s noisy lawn mower-on-a prop. Didn’t work, as Sears continued to out-sell with their Eska’s. The REAL reason was their no down payment, easy monthly (or no) payment Revolving Charge Accounts.
