No matter how well an engine is maintained, there comes a time when it finally reaches the end of its service life. What are some of the signs an engine needs replacing? Sometimes the problem appears suddenly, such as a failure to shift into gear, a strange new noise, or it just won’t start. At other times, a gradual loss of performance is one of the indicators that something’s amiss. While most problems are fixable, the cost may be more than the old engine is worth. And even if that problem is corrected, there may be another issue just down the road?
While some people will buy a new boat and sell their old one or trade it in, this can be pricey. A repower makes sense if the owner loves their old boat and it meets all their needs, but they want it to be more reliable. A good rule of thumb is to ask whether you’ll be keeping the repowered boat for at least five years. If not, perhaps a new boat might make more sense because when you go to sell it, most prospective buyers tend to look at the age of the boat rather than the age of the motors.
New or Used?
If you are considering a used outboard, ensure it undergoes a thorough pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic. This survey should include a compression check, an examination of all fluids, a test of all electrical components like tilt and trim, a visual inspection for corrosion, a check on belts and seals, and a sea trial to assess its performance under load. They should also plug in a computer with state-of-the-art diagnostics to review the information on an outboard’s ECU, which can reveal existing issues that may not be apparent.
Even if a previous owner has complete, up-to-date service records, one question to ask is why they are selling it? Oftentimes, it’s because an owner feels like it will become too expensive to maintain. You don’t want to inherit their problems.
Things to Consider When Buying a New Outboard
Buying a new outboard is a good way to take advantage of the latest technology. If you are replacing an older two-stroke engine with a four-stroke, you’ll no longer need to add oil to the fuel, and improved fuel economy and quietude will be among the first benefits. Modern advances in four-stroke engines include snappier acceleration, improved fuel economy, and lighter weight, which will all enhance a boat’s performance.
What horsepower to choose?
If your previous engine’s horsepower was less than the maximum power set by the boat’s manufacturer, an increase in horsepower will yield an immediate boost in performance. It will also allow owners to run the engine at a lower rpm, which can extend longevity and provide improved fuel economy over smaller motors that are frequently being run at near wide-open throttle. While some owners don’t usually drive fast, having the option to get back to your home port quickly is never a bad thing.
Consider Adding a Jack Plate
A jack plate is a motor mount that allows drivers to raise the engine height on demand, thereby reducing a boat’s draft. If you fish in shallow water, adding a jack plate at the time of repowering will give your boat the ability to run in skinnier water without bumping bottom and can open up new fishing grounds.
Digital or Mechanical Shift?
One of the decisions to consider is whether to buy an outboard with a digital or mechanical shift. While the mechanical versions are less expensive, outboards with digital shift make the perfect shift every time and eliminate the grinding of gears that occurs when a driver shifts too slowly, which increases wear and tear. For individuals who put lots of hours on their motors, this is a crucial feature. The downside of going from mechanical to digital engines is the added expense of upgrading to compatible shift and throttle controls.
Another advantage of digital outboards is the ability to add joystick control, such as Yamaha’s Helm Master EX®, which is available on Yamaha outboards of 150 horsepower and larger that have Digital Electronic Control (DEC). Not only does this provide the ultimate in boat control for maneuvers like docking, but it also includes a host of additional features, such as DriftPoint, FishPoint, and StayPoint, that precisely control the positioning of a boat in various situations. There’s even a Yamaha Wireless Controller® option that gives drivers the ability to take control from anywhere on the boat. Most joystick systems require two or more engines but Yamaha introduced its industry-first single engine application Helm Master EX, which employs many of its advanced functions for boats with
one engine.
Steering System Upgrade
Yamaha also offers the ability to upgrade select DEC-equipped boats to include a Digital Electric Steering (DES) option, which integrates the steering system directly into the outboard and eliminates hydraulic steering systems that require external tanks and hydraulic lines, thereby clearing the transom of clutter.
Change to New Gauges or Use the Old Ones?
For older boats with outdated analog gauges, upgrading them when repowering makes sense in order to take advantage of the digital information a new outboard provides, such as fuel flow, fault indicators, and precise information about charging systems. Also, with the proper wiring harness, the outboard’s operating information can be displayed on select multi-function electronics displays that boaters use for navigation and sonar imaging.
Make Sure Battery Systems Are Adequate
New outboards have advanced electronic components that make them more sensitive to voltage fluctuations so make sure your batteries and charging systems are compatible with your new motor and are functioning correctly.
DIY or a Professional Install?
While owners can easily mount smaller outboards with tiller steering themselves, larger motors should be installed by qualified mechanics for several reasons. Not only is the installation process more complicated than it looks, but if it’s done improperly, it can void the manufacturer’s warranty. An authorized mechanic will have the necessary tools, ensure the transom is capable of supporting a new motor, verify the mounting height is ideal, and that everything, from fuel lines and wiring harnesses to steering systems, is installed correctly.
Break in a New Engine the Right Way
After a new motor installation, the first few hours of its operation are critical to increasing its longevity. Review the Yamaha manual to learn the correct break-in procedure. For most new Yamaha outboards, it’s straightforward. For the first hour, keep the engine speed below 2,000 rpm while varying the throttle. For the next hour, bring the boat onto plane and avoid going full throttle, varying speeds every minute or so. For the next eight hours, operate the engine normally and avoid going to full throttle for periods longer than five minutes at a time. At the end of 20 hours of operation, bring it back to a Yamaha dealership for its initial service. Additional service intervals occur at 100 hours and 300 hours of operation.
Repowering with a new engine will give added peace of mind to make boating more trouble-free and help you fall in love with your favorite boat again.
Back to Blue Life
While some people will buy a new boat and sell their old one or trade it in, this can be pricey. A repower makes sense if the owner loves their old boat and it meets all their needs, but they want it to be more reliable. A good rule of thumb is to ask whether you’ll be keeping the repowered boat for at least five years. If not, perhaps a new boat might make more sense because when you go to sell it, most prospective buyers tend to look at the age of the boat rather than the age of the motors.
New or Used?
If you are considering a used outboard, ensure it undergoes a thorough pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic. This survey should include a compression check, an examination of all fluids, a test of all electrical components like tilt and trim, a visual inspection for corrosion, a check on belts and seals, and a sea trial to assess its performance under load. They should also plug in a computer with state-of-the-art diagnostics to review the information on an outboard’s ECU, which can reveal existing issues that may not be apparent.
Even if a previous owner has complete, up-to-date service records, one question to ask is why they are selling it? Oftentimes, it’s because an owner feels like it will become too expensive to maintain. You don’t want to inherit their problems.
Things to Consider When Buying a New Outboard
Buying a new outboard is a good way to take advantage of the latest technology. If you are replacing an older two-stroke engine with a four-stroke, you’ll no longer need to add oil to the fuel, and improved fuel economy and quietude will be among the first benefits. Modern advances in four-stroke engines include snappier acceleration, improved fuel economy, and lighter weight, which will all enhance a boat’s performance.
What horsepower to choose?
If your previous engine’s horsepower was less than the maximum power set by the boat’s manufacturer, an increase in horsepower will yield an immediate boost in performance. It will also allow owners to run the engine at a lower rpm, which can extend longevity and provide improved fuel economy over smaller motors that are frequently being run at near wide-open throttle. While some owners don’t usually drive fast, having the option to get back to your home port quickly is never a bad thing.
Consider Adding a Jack Plate
A jack plate is a motor mount that allows drivers to raise the engine height on demand, thereby reducing a boat’s draft. If you fish in shallow water, adding a jack plate at the time of repowering will give your boat the ability to run in skinnier water without bumping bottom and can open up new fishing grounds.
Digital or Mechanical Shift?
One of the decisions to consider is whether to buy an outboard with a digital or mechanical shift. While the mechanical versions are less expensive, outboards with digital shift make the perfect shift every time and eliminate the grinding of gears that occurs when a driver shifts too slowly, which increases wear and tear. For individuals who put lots of hours on their motors, this is a crucial feature. The downside of going from mechanical to digital engines is the added expense of upgrading to compatible shift and throttle controls.
Another advantage of digital outboards is the ability to add joystick control, such as Yamaha’s Helm Master EX®, which is available on Yamaha outboards of 150 horsepower and larger that have Digital Electronic Control (DEC). Not only does this provide the ultimate in boat control for maneuvers like docking, but it also includes a host of additional features, such as DriftPoint, FishPoint, and StayPoint, that precisely control the positioning of a boat in various situations. There’s even a Yamaha Wireless Controller® option that gives drivers the ability to take control from anywhere on the boat. Most joystick systems require two or more engines but Yamaha introduced its industry-first single engine application Helm Master EX, which employs many of its advanced functions for boats with
one engine.
Steering System Upgrade
Yamaha also offers the ability to upgrade select DEC-equipped boats to include a Digital Electric Steering (DES) option, which integrates the steering system directly into the outboard and eliminates hydraulic steering systems that require external tanks and hydraulic lines, thereby clearing the transom of clutter.
Change to New Gauges or Use the Old Ones?
For older boats with outdated analog gauges, upgrading them when repowering makes sense in order to take advantage of the digital information a new outboard provides, such as fuel flow, fault indicators, and precise information about charging systems. Also, with the proper wiring harness, the outboard’s operating information can be displayed on select multi-function electronics displays that boaters use for navigation and sonar imaging.
Make Sure Battery Systems Are Adequate
New outboards have advanced electronic components that make them more sensitive to voltage fluctuations so make sure your batteries and charging systems are compatible with your new motor and are functioning correctly.
DIY or a Professional Install?
While owners can easily mount smaller outboards with tiller steering themselves, larger motors should be installed by qualified mechanics for several reasons. Not only is the installation process more complicated than it looks, but if it’s done improperly, it can void the manufacturer’s warranty. An authorized mechanic will have the necessary tools, ensure the transom is capable of supporting a new motor, verify the mounting height is ideal, and that everything, from fuel lines and wiring harnesses to steering systems, is installed correctly.
Break in a New Engine the Right Way
After a new motor installation, the first few hours of its operation are critical to increasing its longevity. Review the Yamaha manual to learn the correct break-in procedure. For most new Yamaha outboards, it’s straightforward. For the first hour, keep the engine speed below 2,000 rpm while varying the throttle. For the next hour, bring the boat onto plane and avoid going full throttle, varying speeds every minute or so. For the next eight hours, operate the engine normally and avoid going to full throttle for periods longer than five minutes at a time. At the end of 20 hours of operation, bring it back to a Yamaha dealership for its initial service. Additional service intervals occur at 100 hours and 300 hours of operation.
Repowering with a new engine will give added peace of mind to make boating more trouble-free and help you fall in love with your favorite boat again.
Back to Blue Life