There is nothing quite like getting out on the water and enjoying a day on your boat. For some, it may be a matter of doing some fishing and for others, it could be anything from water skiing or just relaxing and getting away from it all. Although owning a boat gives you a great way to enjoy this opportunity to relax often, there are also some frustrations that can take place from time to time. One of those frustrations is when something breaks down and one of those items just might be your outboard motor. Buying second hand outboard motors might just save you some money but there are some things to consider.
First of all, you are likely considering buying second hand outboard motors because you want to save some money but that might be somewhat problematic. If you are looking for a used motor and you don’t want to do any work on it, you are going to pay a premium and, more than likely, you aren’t going to find many for sale anyway. Most people who have an outboard motor are going to use it until it doesn’t work any longer and when that time comes, they may sell it in the hopes that someone will buy it and fix it.
The good news is, if you do find a used motor that doesn’t work any longer, you might just be able to get the ultimate deal on it. Many people who are trying to sell these motors are not going to try to make a killing on the sale and in fact, they might just be willing to give it away if you are willing to haul it off of their property. This can be a very good deal if the motor only needs some minor repairs but you may not know until you get it home and take it apart.
If you find yourself in this type of a situation remember the old adage, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t true. This is going to ring in your ears when you are interested in buying second hand outboard motors and you end up inheriting someone else’s problem. It may have seemed like the deal of the century but when you get it home and the smoke clears, suddenly you realize why they were so eager to get someone to haul it away.
Then again, you might run into a different type of problem when buying a used outboard motor. Some people are just natural born salesmen and they are going to make everything look good, even when it isn’t. You might even say that they could “sell ice cream to an Eskimo.” We all know that they are out there but some of us just tend to fall into that trap more often than we should. Just chalk it up to a life experience and move on to the next adventure.
When buying second hand outboard motors, make sure that you also buy the factory manuals. These can often be purchased online for around $25 and in some cases, you might be able to download them. They will prove to be an invaluable resource when it comes to keeping the motor up and running.
If you are ready to get out there and find the right motor for you, there are some things you should keep in mind. Ask yourself the following questions when looking around:
Am I interested in this motor because of the price or is it really what I want? Don’t just look at the motor as being an investment, make sure it fits in with your needs and offers everything you expect to get out of the motor.
Is this an off-brand motor? You might be able to get a killer deal when buying a second hand outboard motor but that doesn’t mean it is actually a deal. If you have a motor from a well-known manufacturer, you will be able to get it serviced or find parts fairly easily. If it is an off-brand, you might not find the parts when you need them.
Can you find the model and serial number? The last thing you want is to buy a stolen motor and if the plate with the serial number is missing, that is a good indication. Even if the plate is on the motor you might want to run it through the system to see if it trips any red flags. This is a problem that could really come back to bite you after a while.
Why are you going to use it? There are so many different things you can do with a motor, it is difficult to list them. You may want to fish, water ski, go out for some sun or just have a lot of fun on the water. Some people even do a mixture of all of those options. Make sure you choose an outboard that is going to allow you to do what you want to do.
Does it run? This is a fairly standard question but you might be surprised with how many people buy an outboard without asking. Make sure it is in running condition and regardless of the answer, ask when the last time it was used.
Was it ever used in saltwater? Many of us will only use the motor in fresh water but if it was used in saltwater, it requires special care. Find out if it was in saltwater and if it was cared for properly. It really does make a difference.
When it comes to buying a used outboard motor, there are many things to consider. Having a motor that runs and runs well will allow you to make the most of owning a boat. It is an option to consider when you are having a problem with your outboard and one that will have you back out on the water in no time at all.