The American marine industry posted some remarkable figures a few years back, (prior to the universal rise of four stroke outboards) The average lifetime of the OMC -as was and Mercury outboards was 60 hours ! Yes that is right prior to the Japanese takeover and Four stroke outboards -, most outboards in salt water at least corroded away rather than wore out , also stale two stroke pre mix took its toll with carbs gumming up etc etc. Of course the relatively small number of commercial users got good hours running them hard (like courier vans). Now with lightweight efficient four strokes and Diesel outboards for the commercial market the whole scene has changed for the better. I have a Suzuki 20hp with self powered electronic fuel injection on one of my boats and it is a marvel of economy, especially when I recall a V6 200hp two stroke Evinrude I owned in 1978 that my friends used to say one gallon two gallon three every couple of minutes, luckily petrol was cheap then!
