Just when it looked liked OMC could begin re- gaining consumer confidence with improved ûFICHT engines, the corporation's collapse has ûcustomers wondering whether warranty work ûwill be honored.

On the 22 of December, OMC, a marine institution, filed for bankruptcy. The Outboard Marine Corporation of Waukegan, IL, manufacturer of Evinrude and Johnson outboards as well as a host of pleasure craft, finally succumbed to a cash-draining series of technical problems (centered on their FICHT engines) and management mis-steps.

This action is of particular concern to boaters who have purchased FICHT engines, and may now find themselves with limited or no warranty protection.

“This leaves me up a tree,” says Herbert Lehrhoff, whose starboard 150-hp Evinrude FICHT engine on his 25’ OMC-built Stratos walkaround is due for a new powerhead—under warranty. “I assume my dealer has done it already. If…