There are several questions that come to mind when you go looking for a used outboard. For instance, there is the question of maximum horsepower, size, your budget, availability of control box, age of the motor, motor in good working condition and several other such things. In other words, it can be a challenging experience if you’re not aware of the things you need to look for when you are searching for used outboards for sale. Here is a list of some of the important parameters you should take into account in order to buy the perfect used outboard motor.
Tips to Buy Used Outboards for Sale
Sellers
One of the first things you need to do is find where you can find good used outboards for sale. You should begin your search by going online on your favourite search engine. It will help you discover several websites specialising in selling used motors.
In addition, you also have the option of scouring the local classified websites. You will find a lot of options on local classified websites but more often than not, buying from complete strangers is a big risk as not everyone is going to be completely truthful about the condition of the motor they are selling. You may also find several options on social media platforms such as Facebook.
As far as the best place to buy a used outboard is concerned, it is through a specialised shop with years of experience in selling used outboards for sale. One of the biggest advantages of buying from a used outboard dealer is that they have been in the business for many years which means they are a known name and would want to maintain their reputation. Reputed dealers typically have a lot of inventory which means you should be able to find the kind of model you want easily. Also, you will get a lot of options in terms of model types, brands, shaft length, size as well as horsepower among other things. In case you decide to buy from a dealer, it is important to first check their reviews and ratings before getting in touch with them.
Age
As far as the age of the motor is concerned, the most important thing you need to ensure is that the motor shouldn’t be so old that you find it impossible to get parts for it at a later date. However, this does not mean that a motor that is more than 20 years old is not good for you. In simple terms, you need to make sure that parts for the type of model you are buying are easily available at an affordable price in case you need such parts at a later date. You should never ignore easy availability of spare parts.
Horsepower
The horsepower will depend on the maximum horsepower mentioned for your boat. Every single boat in the market these days has a tag will tell you about the maximum person capacity, total weight of the boat as well as maximum horsepower it can handle. Experts recommend getting a motor that is as close to the maximum horsepower as possible but it is not advisable to go below two-thirds of the maximum horsepower mentioned for the boat.
If you go below the two-thirds threshold, you will always get a feeling of being on an underpowered boat. Needless to say, the maximum horsepower will also depend on the use case as you can use any horsepower if your only purpose is to go from one point to another and you do not want to take the boat out in the open.
Brand
One of the most common misconceptions regarding choice of a brand is that a particular brand is better than another brand. When it comes to buying used outboards for sale, brands do not matter as much but brand motor and controls currently on your boat become much more important.
If you want to save money, it’s better to stick with a brand that is currently on your boat as it will allow you to use the existing controls. In case you switch to a new brand, you will have to replace the controls. In simple terms, replacing the controls along with other accessories and labour will cost you a lot more money. So, buy a new brand only if you have the budget.
Condition
Needless to say, you need to check the condition of the motor before paying. Experts recommend testing compression as well as spark before buying a motor to make sure that it runs as good as described by the seller.
This is another reason you should stick to buying from a reputed dealer of used outboards as these reputed dealers do not buy motors until it clears their own checks which include spark and compression check. In addition, it is also recommended to check the gear lube.
Ask Questions
In case you choose not to buy from a used outboard dealer and want to buy straight from an individual seller, it is important that you ask a lot of questions to ensure that you are getting good value for your money. The first thing you need to ask is why they are selling and whether the motor had any known issues.
Keep in mind that most individuals won’t sell a perfect motor without any particular reason. There are a lot of resources available online in the form of articles as well as videos where you can find out more about things you need to look for when you are checking a used outboard motor.
Conclusion
Overall, these are some of the important parameters you should consider before paying money for a used outboard motor. Take a close look at the physical appearance to ensure that there is no corrosion. Also, ask the seller to run the motor for spark and compression check.
In case you do not want to get too technical or you do not have much knowledge about outboard motors, it is better to stick to a reputed used outboard seller to ensure that you’re getting a good deal. Do not forget to shop around in order to make sure that you get the most value for your money.