FLASHING SERVICES

What does “Flashing”, “Re-Mapping”, or “Tuning “mean on a modern outboard engine?

To understand advantages of Flashing, Re-Mapping and Electronic Tuning on Todays Production Outboard Engines one should step back in history in the evolution of Recreational Outboard Engine Manufacturing. 

Outboard Engine Development was about making boating fun including fishing, Skiing and Family cruising/outings. Larger, wider, and stable vessels meant opportunities for more family and friends to join the weekend fun. This created the need for larger displacement Engines. Enthusiastic boaters seem to fall in love with Performance. Vessel performance was not for everybody, but it was a vision for the Outboard Manufactures Corporate growth. Automotive Manufactures Muscle Car Production had already experienced “Win on Sunday Sell on Monday” and the Outboard Manufactures wanted this success too. 

So as the story goes, the unbridled Outboard Horsepower “Race” was born, and Outboard Manufacture Engineering teams were tasked to develop more powerful outboards than the competition-Annually. The boating communities were eager to discover which manufacture offered the largest outboard for current model year. Manufacture Engineering Departments experienced no constraints on large horsepower creation and development, and they had complete cooperation from the major boat builders. 

An important part of this phenomenon was the escalating involvement of the manufactures with organized Boat Racing. Suddenly, Factory Racing Teams and Winning became significate to Manufactures Brand identification.  American Powerboat Association (APBA) and Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) Sanctioning Bodies certified events including World Championships, Kilo/5 Mile-3 Lap Records and Endurance 24 Hours of Rouen. Marine Engine Dealers proudly displayed promotional banners of the results of these events and it bolstered sales, brand strength and awareness. Additionally, Hi Performance Boating migrated into Sanctioned Competitive Fishing – Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) Walmart FLW Tour, Bass Pro Tour (BPT). 

In 1996 United States released new rules and policies to reduce emissions by 75% for Outboard Engines. This was a phase in approach beginning in 1998. Almost immediately, the Marine Manufactures deleted Boat Racing programs to support and fund serious efforts of research, development, prototype, and manufacturing engines to comply with restrictions. I owned and operated a dealership that managed a field test program of prototype Evinude’s on tour vessels and participated in the study of evaluations based out of the Ralph Evinrude Test Center. Some manufactures barrowed proven designs and technologies within their other industries “umbrella” while others pioneered brand new concepts and designs. This was a huge challenge for the Recreational Marine Industry. 

Today, marine engine manufactures have conquered the restrictions and now focus on technological advances to make boating more convenient and user friendly. Model designation and shared family displacement platforms are now coupled with technological features such as Mercury’s “DockSense”. This technology uses a Virtual Bumper Zone around the vessel to assist boat owners in tight-quarter Docking = “Assisted Docking System” or Autonomous Vessel Control which uses precursor technologies “Zues” and “Axius Joystick Steering”. These Advances in Boating Technologies have found to be favorable to new boat owners, however they add considerable cost up front for the consumer. This explains why Manufactures commonly practice shared family displacement platforms which substantially minimizes production costs.

The technological bells and whistles of today’s Outboard Powered Vessels has taken precedence with properly/adequately powering vessels, basically many vessels are underpowered. Boating forums content about marginally powered vessels is huge. Legitimate concerns of overworking the engine, mpg at cruising, controlling the vessel in heavy seas, having reserve power to overcome unfavorable situations such as weather are common. Seasoned Boaters object to minimum power, however consumers new to boating simply don’t know until long after the closing. Best practice is to use maximum power for the vessel as you are allowed. Enjoyable/Safe boating begins with good power to weight ratio.

Interestingly, many identical engine displacement platforms share different horsepower ratings. Example, some 150hp, 175hp and 200hp platforms remain identical except for the Electronic Control Unit (ECU). This is a huge cost saving for the manufacture and allows for tacking on profitable technological features to help close the deal with the potential new boat owner. 

Right now, owners of underpowered vessels and owners desiring performance gains can take full advantage of a economical, simple and safe solution to increase horsepower and performance, this is the Process and Procedure of “Flashing”,” Re-Mapping” or “Tuning” the Electronic Control Unit (ECU). This Process and Procedure on certain common displacement family platforms have proven horsepower gains of 75hp* (single engine vessels) and some twin, triple, and quad engine vessel applications the increase approaches 150hp*, additionally our testing has shown outputs to 300hp* without compromising reliability and some vessels cruising fuel efficiency is improved.