Repowering Your Boat

If your outboard motor hasn’t been delivering like it should, it may be time for a change. If you’re looking to upgrade your power source, increase fuel efficiency, and take advantage of digital instrumentation, repowering your boat may be the answer. While repowering your boat with a new outboard motor can be pricey, it costs a lot less than buying a new boat or continuing to spend money to fix an aging machine.

And the latest technology offers exciting new features you can incorporate into your existing boat. Power and Motor Yacht says outboards have gone high-tech. “They have digital brains under the cowling, digital controls at the helm, active throttle adjustment and auto trim … they’re fuel-efficient, less polluting and ultra-reliable. Repower now … and your boat will be faster and burn less fuel.”

What’s your goal?

Repowering your boat is much more complex than pulling out the old engine and bolting in a new one. You also need to determine what, if any, ancillary equipment also needs updating. Factors to consider include:

Your budget. First, do your homework. In addition to the cost of a new motor, you may need new controls and instruments. Larry Teeling, product category manager for Mercury Marine told Sport Fishing Magazine that, when repowering, “It’s a good idea to update everything — steering, throttle and shift, cables, electrical harnesses, battery cables, and instruments.” Significant advances in digital instruments provide valuable information on fuel consumption and efficiency, providing cost savings over the long haul.
Estimate how long you plan to keep your boat. If you plan to keep your boat another 10 years or so, the cost of repowering makes sense. If you hope to buy a new boat sooner than that, it may make better sense to do that now rather than sinking a lot of money into repowering.
Horsepower and fuel efficiency. Determine the maximum rated horsepower for your boat (found on the capacity plate). For best performance, your new engine should be rated for that maximum. This will ensure the best fuel economy, and will give you the power you need. It’s also highly recommended to replace all fuel hoses with Coast Guard-approved, ethanol-resistant hoses.
New technology options. The sky’s the limit with new available tech. From intuitive joysticks that will make docking a 30+ foot boat in a tight space a breeze, to eco-friendly electric or propane motors, to tiller options that feature touch troll and trim switches, and more. Make a list of all the features on your wish list, then price them out, and trim the list down to what you can’t live without.

Your Choice of Outboards By

We also have financing Available