How to Ensure That Used Boat Motors Are Safe
Thinking of buying a new motor?
Seeing as the recreational boat sales in Canada jumped by 13%, and the sales of new boats reached $2 billion within a year, you might be. The industry surrounding boats and other maritime products continues its growth, but if you’re on a budget, you might want to consider getting used boat motors instead.
The sale of used boats rose by 17%, making it a $935 million industry that continues growing.
With used boat motors around, you can expect more affordable prices. However, if you’re using a boat for the spring boating season and would like to replace your motor with a used one, you need to know some things to ensure that the one you buy is safe and durable enough.
Here are some tips to ensure that your used boat motors are safe:
Check for Impurities in the Engine Oil
Much like buying a pre-owned boat one of the first things you should check out in used boat motors is the dipstick to inspect the oil. The composition of the engine oil generally doesn’t change much. If it looks like black ink, has streaks of milky colour, or smells foul, the boat motor has problems.
The black ink is not an issue if it’s a diesel engine. If not, you might be looking at a worn out motor or possible contamination. This shouldn’t immediately turn you away, though, as darkening of the oil is normal in most cases.
A milky colour mixed in with the oil, however, is not normal. This means that water somehow got in, signalling broken parts and even corroded gears. It might be better for you to pass on the deal and look for other used boat motors.
It shouldn’t have any trace of metal fillings, either, which you can feel by rubbing it between your fingers. If it feels gritty, it’s positive of metal fillings. This can indicate a major problem or serious engine wear. In either case, jump ship (pun intended).
The smell will also alert you to possible contamination. Fortunately, oil has a distinct smell. You’ll be able to notice right away if there’s any foul odour or gas stink. Both of which are strong indicators that there’s a problem with the engine.
If you want to be extra sure that the engine oil is safe, find a marina that offers a lubricant analysis. The process can pick up any trace chemicals that might point to other problems. Find one that has a warranty and reasonable pricing.
The Boat Motor Should Start Cold
When shopping for used boat motors, you need to make sure that their engines are stone cold when you get there. When starting it up, it should be the first time it got started that day. This becomes important the older and more used the boat motor is.
The reason behind it is that when the motor sits for an extended period, like overnight, the oil pressure between all the surfaces bleeds off. When you do the cold startup, you can hear the telltale knocking, ticking, or slapping that indicates too much clearance. The clearance between the pistons and cylinder as well as the connecting rods and bearings manifest as these sounds.
When you let the boat motor start soon before you can check on it, you miss the opportunity to listen to these noises. It can be a good indicator that your seller is trying to mask these defects as well. In that case, you’re better off choosing another used boat motors dealer.
Pay Attention to the Number of Boat Motor Hours
It’s normal to choose boats based on the number of hours of use since it means it’s closer to being new. This type of mentality applies to used boat motors as well. Having lower hours means that there’s more boat motor left for you to use once you buy it.
You can conveniently check the engine hour meter on the boat to see how many hours it has run. The average boater is on the water for about 50 hours per year. If the motor is five years old, 250 hours is a good number.
The lower the hours in relation to the boat’s age, the better. However, don’t take the number on the meter at face value. If possible, take the boat itself for a spin first.
Note how many engine hours the meter displays before and after. Did the hours go up? Or did it stay the same?
If the hour meter didn’t move, the seller might have tweaked it, possibly to display a low number. If that’s the case, move on to another prospect. Who knows what other tweaks they’ve done to the boat motor?
If boarding the boat is not possible, check the engine management system. It should have a more reliable record of the engine hours but note that this method doesn’t work on a carbureted engine. Consider looking for other boat motors that you can test if you’re unsure.
Make Sure It’s the Right Type of Motor for Your Boat
This should be obvious, but we need to say it after all. Before you go shopping for used boat motors, make sure that you’re looking at the right type with ample horsepower for your boat.
There are 4 types of boat motors: inboard, outboard, jet drive, and stern drive. If you own the boat that the boat motor is for, you should already know it. If you’re buying for someone else, make sure you ask the owner or inspect the boat to see which one is compatible with it.
When you’re sure about the type, check the horsepower next. It should be able to offer enough power to push your boat efficiently.
Horsepower is much more than how fast it can propel the boat into the water. With the right horsepower, you can better handle your boat. You can more easily navigate through rough waters.
Refer to the owner’s manual to see the maximum horsepower you can equip your boat. This is ideal if you want to get the performance you want while minimizing gas consumption. As opposed to a common misconception, a smaller engine will burn gas faster if you push it hard to see your boat roar through the waters.
Be careful in going over the maximum limit, though. Exceeding it will cause a malfunction at best or damage your boat at worst.
Test the Boat Motor if Possible
We strongly recommend that you do a test drive before buying used boat motors. This allows you to gauge its performance and see if it fits what you need. Testing it will also give you a chance to experience a problem that the seller might not be telling you.
Sometimes, it won’t be possible to test drive used boat motors because they might not be on the boat anymore. Consider this as a bad practice that you should avoid at all cost. If you have no choice, make sure you perform all other tests, such as the compression test.
Outboard motors, for instance, can run on a barrel of water. This is one way to test the motor without needing to attach it to a boat and run it on the water.
A Checklist For Buying Used Boat Motors
Seeing the boat motor first-hand is your best bet on finding a good deal. You’ll be able to test everything yourself, and you’ll get to have a chat with the seller. Here are things you should consider during the inspection:
Reason for Selling
Could there be a hidden reason? Ask the story. If it checks out, and you see no problem, it’s likely to be a good buy.
State of Maintenance
You can’t expect much from used boat motors, but it shouldn’t look abused still. If the boat looks rundown, there’s a good chance that the engine is, too.
Repaired or Broken Parts
Have a close look at the engine and all of its nooks and crannies. Are all parts in place? Are there any signs of repair?
Ask the seller if it needed any repair in the past. It’s normal for older engines to undergo repairs, but a major overhaul may cause a future problem.
Also, look out for cracks, chips, and broken metal parts. Some flaws are acceptable, especially if you’re on a tight budget. However, if the flaw compromises the integrity of the engine, it might be better to move on to another seller.
Dealership
If possible, check out the dealers in your area first. They often offer a guarantee in case something goes wrong with your purchase. This is something you won’t be able to get if you talk to a person you meet online.
We don’t discourage finding a used boat motor through individual boat owners. However, keep in mind that you won’t be able to chase an individual if you end up buying a faulty engine.
Learn More About Boat Motors
Buying a motor is not as simple as buying a used bike. There are safety issues you need to consider. Not to mention the expensive repairs if you, unfortunately, bought a defective model.
If you want to buy a used boat motor and you need help, contact us now and let one of our helpful staff assist you.