A used outboard motor is a good alternative to buying new. A new outboard engine can cost anywhere between $5,000 and $10,000, making used alternatives very appealing. Used motors represent a significant discount off the retail price, and they also come with several advantages over their newer counterparts. For example, a new outboard motor comes with warranty protections that transfer to the buyer when the unit is resold as he or she is essentially now the “owner” of the product.
The most important thing to consider before making such an investment is how you intend on using your boat. If it is for pleasure exclusively, you may want to choose one motor over another based upon other criteria, but if you are looking for something that can be used for everyday boating, then you may want to look at the water displacement of the motor, its horsepower rating and overall size.
Outboard motors are measured in cubic centimeters, which is abbreviated as cc’s. This directly indicates how much area is displaced by the cylinders inside the engine. The more cubic centimeters, the larger an engine will be. This also correlates with torque output, which determines whether it will fit your boat. If space is limited on board, consider maintaining a maximum of 150cc per cylinder when selecting one outboard model. Anything above that will likely make your vessel difficult to maneuver around docks or other boats in crowded waterways with limited room for error.
Horsepower is another criterion to consider when looking at different outboard motors. Horsepower is a direct indication of how much power an engine can produce. The more horsepower, the higher likelihood it will have the torque necessary for heavier boating applications such as running fishing lines or pulling skiers or tubers behind your vessel. When selecting an outboard motor with more than 150cc’s, consider choosing one with at least four horsepower per cylinder, therefore totaling eight horsepower overall. This is especially true if you are looking to pull several people with your boat at once, whether on skis or tubes.
The size of the outboard motor needs to correspond with the size of your boat and its intended use. For example, if your boat is on the smaller side and you are looking for something that can be used exclusively for pleasure, then a 70 to 90 horsepower outboard motor will likely suit your needs. However, if you have a larger vessel or intend to use it for fishing purposes, consider one of the larger engines with 100 to 150 horsepower. Smaller motors are suitable for smaller vessels, but they may not have enough power necessary to pull multiple people behind your boat, which could make it difficult to enjoy boating activities with friends and family members.
When purchasing used outboard motors online, there are some additional considerations to note—the first question is whether the engine was running when it was removed from its previous vessel or not. If so, find out why it was replaced and if there were any previous issues. Also, determine where the engine was located and how it has been stored since its previous use. Then, if you can, try and meet with the seller in person to look at the motor and inspect it more closely before making an offer on it or purchase.
