If you want to test outboard motors for durability and reliability, what better way than to put them in the hands of group of rabid striped bass anglers?

To them, the boat and motors are merely a means to an end—one that has scales, gills and a tail. And while these guys appreciate a handsome boat, a pretty sheer line and high-gloss gelcoat are not their primary concern. Their goal is fish, not looking good.

Earlier this year, we bolted a pair of 115-hp Evinrude DFI outboards (Ficht Ram) from Bombardier to the transom of our Twin Vee Awesome 22 test boat (see PBR August 2003) to begin a series of…