Do you have a large outboard motor that you would like to replace on your fishing boat? It may have been reliable for many years, but over time, it has become problematic. You are not able to started quickly, if at all, or perhaps the motor is beginning to overheat. You might have problems with the gearbox, causing the propeller to not spin properly.
These are all issues that can either be repaired by a local repair company, or you may have to replace it with something brand-new. The following tips on buying second hand outboard motors will lead you to businesses that have been doing this for many years and will probably have the exact motor that you need.
Typical Problems That May Occur With Outboard Motors
If you are having problems with these motors, they are likely very similar to what most people experience. Outboard motors are actually very complex devices. They are made in three specific components, each with their own secondary components, all of which work together. At the very top you are going to have the powerhead.
This is where the engine is located. If the engine is going bad, or overheating, this will need to be replaced or repaired. This is adjacent to the tiller, and also the midsection below. This is where the exhaust housing is located, and on the other side of this will be the mounting bracket which is what allows it to sit comfortably at the end of your boat.
All the way down at the bottom you have what is called the lower unit. This is one of the more complex areas of a outboard motor. You are going to have the anti-ventilation plate, the gearbox, water intake, the propeller, and also the skeg at the very bottom. Some of these will be easy to replace, whereas others may actually require the entire unit to be taken apart to be repaired.
In some cases, it might be better to simply upgrade to a completely brand-new motor that is going to help you resolve these issues.
Problems That Can Happen With The Gearbox
The gearbox is directly connected to the motor up above. It is going to spin all of the gears once it is turned on. The gears allow the propeller to spin, and if the gears are not properly fitted, or if they are wearing down, you are going to have significant issues. It may not spin at all after some point in time, and that will require the gearbox to be taken out and replaced with the new one.
Depending upon the company you are working with to do the repairs, you might want to look into just getting one of the many second hand outboard motors that you could purchase. This is going to make it easier for you to take care of the problem without worrying if other issues are going to develop simply because the outboard motor is old.
How To Find Businesses That Offer Replacements And Repairs
If the company does offer replacements, find out how much they are going to cost. If they do also offer repairs, get an estimate. Based on the amounts of money that they are quoting you, you can make a very fast decision on whether or not to have them repair the problems on your existing motor, or simply by one of the second hand motors from them.
If you decide to go with buying second hand outboard motors, you can be back in the water the same day. All you have to do is have them replace the motor that is already there. This is the easiest way for anyone to take care of these issues. If you would prefer just upgrading, you need to compare the different businesses that have the second hand motors for sale.
Ways To Compare The Prices On These Outboard Motors
When you purchase these, you need to find out if the motors are simply used, or if they have been rebuilt. Depending upon the motor that you are looking at, there could be a substantial difference in the pricing. In many cases, the price of replacing the motor is going to be much more than the repairs.
Sometimes the repairs could be as simple as replacing a couple parts that may have fallen off. It’s common for the skeg or propeller to fall off which can easily be replaced. They might have to order these parts, but this is going to be very inexpensive by comparison to replacing the entire outboard motor.
Once you have these estimates back, you will know which one to work with. It is likely going to cost at least $100 for even the most minimal repairs. If you can save money by not replacing the entire motor, and if the repairs can be done quickly, this might be your best option.
Reasons To Get A Larger Outboard Motor
if you end up replacing the outboard motor that you have, you may as well get a bigger one. It may only be a few hundred dollars more. When you are working with second hand motors, the prices are going to be substantially lower than those that are brand-new. By doing so, you are going to have access to more speed, and perhaps more reliability, by changing the type of motor and the brand of the motor that you will be using. Even if you have been using a particular brand for many years, you may want to go with something that’s a little more expensive. It could end up lasting longer, and have fewer problems, simply because you decided to use one that’s a little more expensive.
How To Locate The Top Outboard Motor Companies
If you are going to go the route of buying second hand outboard motors, you need to know that you are working with one of the best companies. Some of them might have low prices, but the quality of the motors might be suspect. Therefore, do your research and find one that has good reviews on the web.
If you do a lot of fishing, you likely have a few friends that have also recently upgraded the outboard motor that they have on their boat. If that is the case, then you will be able to contact this business quickly, find out what they have available, and have them replace the motor that is currently on your boat.
If they also have excellent prices, then the next time that you need to replace another one, or get repairs, you will know who to call. This might be from a tip that you get from a local fisherman that is also upgrading their motors on a regular basis.
Your decision to either upgrade or repair your outboard motor will be dependent upon the cost. Most people are on a budget. That is why they will spend a little bit of time researching the different companies that offer these products and services. The outboard motor that you have might be extremely small to begin with. It might be worth it to simply upgrade to something larger.
If that is the case, take your time, look at the different companies that sell them, and the manufacturers that produce the motors. Whether you decide to go with buying second hand outboard motors from Yamaha, Tanaka or Briggs & Stratton, make sure that the outboard motor has good reviews. If you do decide to go with repairs, just make sure that they do have a reputation for doing excellent repairs at prices that are reasonable.