My annual pilgrimage to the London Boat Show, and a thorough analysis of the catalogues, failed to reveal any totally new outboard, but did reveal many interesting improvements.
It also showed that the increased strength of sterling against the principal outboard currencies has caused some prices to drop.
The outboard motor trade is fiercely competitive. A number of engines in different liveries come from the same manufacturer, Mariner, so it pays to compare prices for equivalent horsepower. In one instance there is a £600rrp difference between virtually identical products. There is also an instance of a possible £770 saving for equivalent power.
Equally, price lists need to be taken with the salt of scepticism. There is still a vast difference between catalogue price and street price following negotiation. Dealers hate anybody saying this, but it happens and can only be of benefit to buyers.
The main discernible trend is towards four-stroke engines. What Honda once did exclusively, others are now also doing. The big boys have solved all the problems of less-than-perfect cowls and internal corrosion and have some marvellous mid-range four-strokes on offer.
They can be a bit heavier - but it is worth it to get the vastly improved starting, minimal oil consumption, smooth running and huge improvements in fuel economy. If you want sheer speed and brute power, the two-stroke will continue to have the edge for some time yet. If you want more reliability, reduced exhaust emission and a quiet life with lower running costs, go for the super fours around now.
Yamaha is taking the shift seriously. Its dealers are now all specialists - its Four Stroke Centre personnel will have attended a week's course and be specially tooled up for this style of engine.

Having said that, the thirst and emission problems of big two-strokes have received plenty of design engineer time, and both are much improved on what they were a decade back.
Once the work has been done to get a hotter, cleaner and more efficient burn of fuel and lubricant, the next planned advance seems to be in construction materials. Both the Americans and Japanese have shown their hands by making blocks using lost foam technology to create a one-piece main structure devoid of gaps and gaskets.
It seems that the next changes will relate to engine weight. Mercury has already announced the arrival of its new lightweight engines in the 25hp range. This is an interesting development. The new motors are said to be at least 30 per cent lighter than their current equivalents. This gives the option of installing twin engines for roughly the same weight as a conventional single. The reduced weight should mean a boat with faster climb on the plane and the decreased fuel consumption of lower rpm to keep it there.
The Mercury Service Monitor is a sensible accessory, especially for a boat being used by several different people. Even solo owners are usually wildly inaccurate in their estimates of number of hours run between engine services. The monitor clips on beneath the cowl and acts as an hour meter. Given the high cost of engine replacements and repairs, at around £60 it could be money well spent.
Plenty of thought is also being given to installation and control. Hydraulic steering is now very good and not too expensive. One source is International Marine Supplies, which has also introduced a range of throttle and gearshift controls that are much thinner and more flexible than normal. They come from manufacturers normally concerned with aircraft trim tabs and elevators.
Those I examined can be taken around tight corners and even be tied in knots without losing the smooth, light and positive action.
Behind the scenes there is plenty more going on, but it costs big money to launch a major new product. The big companies need to be sure of massive sales to recoup their investment. With mainland Europe economies on something of a slide, and Japan and America fairly static, do not expect too much for next year.
What about a sporting bet on a glut of new engines with such logos as AD2000 and Millennium?