Find Boat Motor Parts
Owning a boat is a luxury that most do not get to afford or even experience, but once you have your own craft that goes out sailing on the water, you understand just what a fun time it is. Whether you have a small boat you use for fishing, a large boat you take out on a lake for sun and fun, or even an ocean-worthy vessel docked on the coast, you are fortunate to own such a craft and have the time to enjoy it.
Still, even if you can afford it initially, keeping it up and running is another matter, but one you want to do to keep enjoying your investment. Knowing where to find components for your engine is essential to this, so keep reading to learn 5 places to find boat motor parts sellors.
1) Boat dealerships are probably a place you think of as where you get boats, and not parts, and yet they are a very strong place to get what you need. Dealerships are probably going to have the highest prices on parts, since they want to sell you boats and not parts, but if you ask, they probably offer them as a form of customer service to current owners.
The advantage you get to paying the premiums here are that you often get to put parts into a motor that are the same brand and manufacturer of the motor. While many aftermarket parts are probably going to work just fine for far less money, it does sometimes happen that original equipment manufacturer or OEM parts work best of all without issues.
In some motor designs, the manufacturer created the engine in such a way that only their own custom and proprietary parts can be used, as no one else can or even knows how to make the replacement parts. In these cases, you often have no choice but the dealership.
2) There are retail chains that focus on outdoor adventures or even specifically to boating in general. These stores are going to sell boat motors and the parts that go in or with them. They will always have a selection of the most popular and common parts available on their shelves, and while the manufacturers might be generic or independent of the actual motor brands, this is advantageous to you because you do not pay the price markup that you get hit with at the dealership.
3) Trade shows, conventions, and expos are something of an open secret when it comes to meeting boat motor parts sellors. At these events you can find and talk to dealers, manufacturers, boat owners, mechanics, and a wide variety of other professionals and enthusiasts within the industry and realm of boating. Some parts dealers only sell at shows, so you might find some hard to find parts here at really good prices. Keep an open mind when walking the floor of such an event, because in addition to what you are looking for yourself, you might just find something a friend or other fellow boat owner can use. Buying something like that in advance can be a little risky, but if they really need it, then a trade can sometimes be done that gets you something else that you need or want.
4) Boat mechanics and boat shops are a place that you might think more of about getting your boat fixed up then a place to shop for parts. However, they have to get their parts from somewhere don’t they? As professional mechanics, they might have access to wholesale distributors and other shipping channels that you do not find yourself or eleswhere on this list. If you have a particular part you need for a project or just to add to your own reserve and stockpile, talk to your mechanic to see if you can get you something different or better than what is on store shelves.
5) The Internet has revolutionized how and where people are able to get parts for their boat motors. Many brick and mortar retail businesses, as well as the aforementioned dealerships may offer their stocks online for sale. Many independent websites that only sell online are also on the playing field. On top of this, you can find used and sometimes even new or replacement parts for sale by individual sellers through avenues like eBay, Amazon, and Craigslist.
The upside of looking online is that you can find practically any part you could ever need or dream of. The downsides though can be numerous. The prices might not be much better than the first four options. While the Internet is often thought of as a place to find many things cheap, boat motor parts might not fall in line with this reality, especially if shipping and handling add up.
You also have to be very wary of the seller in question. Most mainstream .com businesses, especially if associated with a physical retailer, can be trusted, and many online-only retailers are easily verified. However, international websites have to be investigated thoroughly, and you have to watch out for import fees and tariffs. Sellers on auction or individual listing sites also need to have their feedback and reputation scrutinized thoroughly. Also always check fine print regarding warranties and refunds.
Now that you know 5 places to find boat motor parts sellors, you can get the components you need to keep your boat’s engine sailing strong and long.