But this week is a little different - I have been up at a Tohatsu conference in Wyong and along with a few new models coming out, there was a presentation session with an Australian Government official – the director of Air Quality Environment Standards Division, Declan O’Connor-Cox, regarding the reduction of “Non Road Spark Ignition Engines” (two stroke motors).

This is my interpretation of what was said.

In early 2017, yep next year, there will be a Bill put forward to government regarding the phase out of Non Road Spark Ignited Engines (I am now going to refer to them as carby 2 strokes cos I type with two fingers only and it takes too long to write the other).

I have written about this before saying that it is going to be implemented, I didn’t realise it was going to be as soon as this.

There will be a phase in period of “X” amount of months, more than likely at the end of 2017 that dealers who have carby 2 strokes in stock can still sell them but after this it will be prohibited to sell or import these engines.

There will be some exemptions available for the likes of government entities who require these engines and also for race boats (this is only a very small percentage of units) similar to the US.

Now we all know that this was implemented in the US and Europe back in the early 2000s so it is nothing new and we were expecting it.

I can only assume that lawn mowers, blowers, edgers, etc will also be involved as it was mentioned that a 2 stroke lawn mower can put out the same emissions per hour as 40 modern vehicles for the same hour.

I know the majority of boaters in the Riverina are 4 stroke people but for those who aren’t you may just have to change your way of thinking regarding 2 strokes.

I don’t know what effect this will have on pricing. It could go one of two ways; it may drop the price of 4 stroke motors due to the fact that manufacturers don’t have to make 2 strokes, or 2 stroke parts anymore and only have to concentrate on 4 stroke therefore dropping the price, (well that’s what I would like to see) or now 4 strokes will have a captive market the price might increase, hopefully not.

It was also stated that, but no timeline given, there will be a change in regulations regarding evaporation emissions as well, what has that got to do with anything you say, well that means fuel tanks, portable and fixed will have to be made completely different as per modern vehicles.

Some figures were shown (not from the government) and these showed that 2 stroke engine sales are at 51.2 per cent and 4 stroke/ DFI motors are at 49.8 per cent.

For the majority of Riverina boaters who are 4 strokers, it won’t be an issue and not much will change but to those who are 2 strokers it means a different thought process.

To abide by the above new air restrictions, in 2017 Tohatsu are releasing 5hp LPG motor and a 15hp and 20hp EFI 4 stroke, these don’t have to be electric start so manual start and they have assured me that they will work well at all heights – sea level and Alpine areas – so interesting times ahead for ALL manufacturers in the small HP 2 stroke range of outboards.

While up Sydney way we, my wife and I, also dropped into the Sydney International Boat Show and this would be why the editor of this article would be pulling her hair out, as I usually have the column in on Wednesday.

Anyway, had a look around and the only thing that jumped out and grabbed me was the latest models of Minn Kota Electric motors.

I can’t tell you too much as they will not be released into Australia until later in the year but suffice to say, Minn Kota will be offering a premium product with all the bells and whistles.

I will write about these next week with a few stats as well.

Other than that, even though Glebe Island is a lot smaller than the Darling Harbour venue it seemed as if everything fitted.

I was speaking with a couple of mates who had stands there and the cost of showing your product far and I mean FAR outweighs what you get in return.

Some of the larger stands cost in excess of 100k and no this isn’t a typo, $100,000.

Having worked at these shows in the past, everyone wants a discount to purchase at the show so there is bugga all money to be made but for the majority of the capital city dealers it is a necessary evil I ‘spose, but it does make me wonder how much it will cost to have a stand at the newly refurbished Darling Harbour (when finished) at the cost of a couple of billion dollars.

Think I will hold an in-house boat show, can’t afford to participate in one of these.

WELL, to be honest the recent weather has not been conducive to fun fishing times. Last weekend’s weather was atrocious so not many reports at all but at least the dams are filling.

Pictures (when you can get out) to – craig@waggamarine.com.au or 0419 493 313.