The new EU 2006 emission regulations.
The new European emissions regulations are due to come into force on 1st January 2007
and will have a major impact on the sale of new 2-stroke outboards.
All 2-strokes that do not meet the new regulations are banned from being placed
on the market in the EU after 31st December 2006.
All outstanding stock can be legally sold,
and all 2-strokes that are in the EU on the cut-off date can
still be used and freely bought and sold second hand.
There is the technology to make 2-strokes clean enough to pass
the new regulations, but it's expensive and will be confined to the larger
2-stroke (40hp plus) engines.
The only option for tenders and smaller boats appears to be a 4-stroke engine.
If you are thinking of buying a new small 2-stroke then hurry,
as once dealer's stocks have run out there will be no way that you can
legally get a new small 2-stroke for leisure use.