Replacing outboards

[dmcummins]

Lost an engine last week. Of coarse I was 50 miles out and could only make around 8mph on the way back.

Unfortunately engine would need to be rebuild. Water got into a cylinder and trashed the spark plug, no compression in that cylinder. Engines only have around 575 hours on them, but are 2006 models.

Started checking prices, rebuild would be around $15,000, not going that route as I don’t trust the other engine now. I bought the boat three years ago and knew corrosion was a concern even with low hour engines, just hoping I would get 5 or more years out of them.

Big shock was prices of new. $56,000 replacing with 300hp Yamahas and using my existing rigging. $55,000 to $63,000 going with Suzuki and new rigging. I got a bid for some new Mercury V8, $90,000. And I should be happy that I can get them. Stock is still limited with any option, but all said they could get me going in a month.

My wife who does not use the boat is not real pleased. I just spent over $10,000 updating the electronics.

I sold my plane 3 years ago and used the money to buy this boat. Also bought a home on the water. I’m wondering if that was a good move today.

[KFC911]

BOAT .... for an inflatable raft repair! Ouch....

Mebbe thoroughbreds next ?

[Tim Hancock]

Crazy how much outboards go for these days. Just as bad as airplane parts now.

[wilnj]

Would a rebuild of both engines make sense?


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[masraum]

Originally Posted by dmcummins

Started checking prices, rebuild would be around $15,000

YIKES!

Well, they do always say that a boat is a hole in the water that you shovel money into. Apparently, boat mechanics know it too. Those rebuild prices are right up there with Porsche rebuild prices.

LSx swap(s)!

[dmcummins]

Originally Posted by wilnj

Would a rebuild of both engines make sense?


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I’ve thought about that, but that’s still $30,000 for 2006 engines. Who knows, the other engine may be fine, but I was lucky that it was a calm day when this one went down. And I was only 50 miles out and not 75.

I’ve owned the boat for 3 years and put about 250 trouble free hours on the engines. But now I’ve lost faith in them.

I don’t know what was done the previous 325 hours. And there is the salt water .

[dmcummins]

I’ve just updated the electronics and upholstery, next thing will probably be the fuel tanks. But a new one is over 400 grand, can’t go there.

[911 Rod]

B.O.A.Thirty thousand

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by dmcummins

I’ve thought about that, but that’s still $30,000 for 2006 engines. Who knows, the other engine may be fine, but I was lucky that it was a calm day when this one went down. And I was only 50 miles out and not 75.

I’ve owned the boat for 3 years and put about 250 trouble free hours on the engines. But now I’ve lost faith in them.

I don’t know what was done the previous 325 hours. And there is the salt water .

I am not an outboard expert, but if it were my boat, I would only fix the bad engine. Rebuilding the other engine would be wasting usable life that still remains on it.

Multi engine airplanes often have engines that are only rebuilt as needed.

[911 Rod]

I agree with Tim.
Replacing the short block would be the best if it were me. (been there)

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by dmcummins

I’ve just updated the electronics and upholstery, next thing will probably be the fuel tanks. But a new one is over 400 grand, can’t go there.

Seems like you'll get there eventually the way things are going,..

I have new respect for the guy with 2 enormous Honda engines on the back of his fishin' boat.

[dmcummins]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Seems like you'll get there eventually the way things are going,..

I have new respect for the guy with 2 enormous Honda engines on the back of his fishin' boat.

Hopefully not, I have around $85,000 in the boat now and have owned it 3 years. I bought the boat before things started getting crazy with covid. So I’ll have around $135,000 in it now. I’ve seen them for sale for much more than that with fairly new engines.

But 50 grand is still a lot of money for me. Im just a little bummed.

[dmcummins]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

I am not an outboard expert, but if it were my boat, I would only fix the bad engine. Rebuilding the other engine would be wasting usable life that still remains on it.

Multi engine airplanes often have engines that are only rebuilt as needed.

This is the way I would approach it, but there is still the 17 years of salt water use also to consider. When I was looking at boats there were many with new power heads, so it’s done, but generally the engines were newer.

Cheapest route would be to buy a used motor, around $7,000-$8000. If I only fished in the harbor, within 20 miles from home that is what I would do. But going offshore there is not as much help and it takes a while for someone to get there.

[Zeke]

Remind me that if I ever buy a boat to get one with a chevy motor. Someone in the family Was convinced to rip out 2 gas v8's and replace them with state of the art turbo diesels with all the trimmings. 25K each all installed with electronics. Ready to sail.

[911 Rod]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Remind me that if I ever buy a boat to get one with a chevy motor. Someone in the family Was convinced to rip out 2 gas v8's and replace them with state of the art turbo diesels with all the trimmings. 25K each all installed with electronics. Ready to sail.

You are taking I/O's here. He has an outboard and GM does not make them.

[Tobra]

8 mph beats the hell out of paddling 50 miles

Too bad you are in Florida. Have a patient who is retired and works in a boat yard fixing stuff so he does not get bored. I told him he should build another hot rod, but he does not figure his heart will last long enough to finish

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Remind me that if I ever buy a boat to get one with a chevy motor. Someone in the family Was convinced to rip out 2 gas v8's and replace them with state of the art turbo diesels with all the trimmings. 25K each all installed with electronics. Ready to sail.

Most of my boating has always been on fresh water lakes and rivers with most waterways always plenty deep. In saltwater and in Florida's intercoastal waterways and bays that are also effected by tides, shallow water is common. My 21' boat has a chevy 350 based Mercruiser IO and it works just fine in fresh water and our relatively deep water. I much prefer it to an outboard for our pleasure boating use. If I was in saltwater however, I would 100% go outboard due to being able to tilt motor out of the corrosive saltwater when not in use and also to be able to operate in shallower water.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by dmcummins

-snip-

Cheapest route would be to buy a used motor, around $7,000-$8000. If I only fished in the harbor, within 20 miles from home that is what I would do. But going offshore there is not as much help and it takes a while for someone to get there.

This is what I would do. They show up all the time on FB Marketplace.

I've been looking for a 150 HP 20" shaft for my 19' Mako for a while so I see what's being posted.

Local Suzuki dealer quoted me around $12K for a new one including controls and install.

I wouldn't mind paying up to $4K for a good condition used one and then go from there.

I'm in a Mako FB group so have LOTS of technical support - just like P-car folks have here and at other enthusiast sites.

As for getting stranded. I plan on getting a smaller outboard like a 12 HP to take along "just in case". Of course you can also subscribe to Sea Tow - not a bad option if you go outside often enough, which I really don't with my Mako.

$199/year

Sea Tow Gold Card membership has the most comprehensive boat towing services available on the water at one annual rate with no fine print.

24/7/365 service on both salt & fresh waters nationwide
Covered on any boat owned by the member, regardless of who is operating
Covered on any boat the member owns or rents
100% dock-to-dock boat tow coverage from homeport to repair facility (or trailer ramp) for all boats owned by the member
Priority service (because members are served first)
No offshore distance limits
Service from the Bahamas back to the U.S.
Ask Sea Tow™
And more

[HobieMarty]

A boat is a hole in the water that you throw money into!

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[dmcummins]

I do have sea tow, but there is no guarantee when they will get there that far out. I’d rather not spend the night out there. Of coarse there is a risk with new motors also.

I’m still waiting for some quotes, havnt decided which way to go yet. But I’m leaning heavy on replacing with new. I plan on keeping the boat, and they will probably have to be replaced at some point. If new ones last 1500-2000 hours, that’s probably longer than I’ll be around, or at least going offshore.