If you are a boat enthusiast or owner, you know that together with the luxury of boating, maintenance and upkeep is crucial. The most important part of the boat that requires regular maintenance is the motor, especially an outboard motor. It’s the part that controls the propulsion of the boat in various speeds. Some of the outboard motor parts include the jet drive, propeller, and gearbox that have different sizes and types.
Maintenance and repair might be too expensive, and that’s why most boat owners prefer purchasing used outboard motor parts. However, before making any decisions, there are many factors you should consider. It’s important to understand how the outboard motor works and all the different types available on the market. Once you understand the fundamentals, you can use a few good tips for purchasing used outboard motor parts.
If you have looked through the relevant information and feel comfortable with your choices, it’s time to make the purchases for used outboard motor parts. Start by checking the local motorized shops that sell used parts as well as marinas. Before buying anything, you should inspect it entirely to make sure that it’s in a good working condition. On the other hand, you can also visit various websites and find the best-used parts for your outboard motor.
Description
As mentioned above, an outboard motor works like an engine of a vehicle and aids in propulsion of the boat. It’s quite different to an inboard motor that is usually fastened inside the boat. The outboard motor contains various parts that power boats of different sizes at varying speeds. Besides propulsion, the motor can also be used for steering. It can run on electric or gas depending on the owners preferences.
The Parts
The entire motor is made up of several parts that are self-contained and work together to provide steering and propulsion. Therefore, if you are looking to buy used parts for your outboard motor, you need to know all the parts and their specific jobs for the best results. Here is what you need to know.
* Gearbox – it is the part responsible for transmission on an outboard motor. It also rotates the gears in different directions thus powering the propeller. It’s also responsible for generating torque thus providing speed.
* Propeller – It is a fan usually attached to the outboard motor used for creating propulsion or thrust by rotating. It is connected to the bottom part of the motor to allow propulsion through water.
* Skeg – It is the lowest part found on an outboard motor. It’s purposely used for steering only, especially when you have turned off the engine.
The above three parts are the most important components of an outboard motor that provide steering, thrusting and propulsion. Besides the above main components, some motors might have accessories or additional parts. Therefore, if you are looking to purchase used parts for the outboard motor, check for any accessories or other parts that you might or not need.
Types Of Motors
Outboard motors come in different kinds that can withstand varying amounts of power. If you are looking to purchase used parts, you need to know the various parts of outboard motors available. That way, you can understand what you are looking for as well as the expectations regarding the performance.
* Large Outboard Motors – These are not quite popular and are used on larger boats. Mostly, they are found on the front part of the boat connected to the controls. Depending on the number of cylinders in use, the large outboard motors can propel the boat for varying distances.
* Small Outboard Motors – They are portable and commonly used for small boats. They have less power than their counterparts and are powered manually by pulling the cord. There are also gearshift controls and a rudder found on the motors. Small outboard motors come in either 2-stroke or 4-stroke kinds. Before buying used parts for your outboard motor, check the various types available.
Tips For Buying Used Motor Parts
Once you have understood the fundamentals of an outboard motor as well as the various parts found in each motor, you can now start purchasing used parts. Here are some useful tips that will aid you in the purchase. As mentioned above, you can either buy the parts from used motor parts shops, marinas or online.
First, you should check whether the parts are specifically suited to your outboard motor. You can purchase parts for a large motor if you are using a small motor. On the other hand, you canít buy parts for a 4-stroke motor when you are using a 2-stroke motor. Therefore, check thoroughly to make sure the parts you are buying are suited to the type of motor on your boat.
Secondly, rather than purchasing an entirely used outboard motor, check every part separately to make sure that they are in a good condition. Some used part retailers might offer some new parts mixed in with the old thus forcing you to replace some parts later on. If every part is working well on its own, you can combine them and inspect whether the used outboard motor is working properly.
Finally, if you choose to purchase the parts online, you should have a money back guarantee with the seller. That way, if the parts are not working as they should, you can always get your money back without being scammed. With these amazing tips, you should be able to buy used parts for your outboard motor effortlessly.