Top 12 Tips To Buy The Perfect Outboard

Top 12 Tips To Buy The Perfect Outboard

We have put together a guide to help support you in finding your perfect outboard.

How Much Power:

A boat will only go as fast as the hull will allow. Putting a bigger more powerful engine on the back of your boat doesn’t mean you will be able to go faster. Your boat will be rated by the manufacturer for a maximum horsepower. You should be able to find out what it’s rated to by looking at the plate on the transom.

Shaft Length:

Shaft length matters. Outboards come in a variety of sizes from Short to XXL. Using the wrong shaft length can significantly impact the performance of the boat. Too long and you will cause excess drag, increase your chances of damaging your prop in shallow waters and possibly stop you getting on the plain. Too short and you are likely to get cavitation. To find the correct shaft length, measure the transom height which is the length from the top of the boat’s transom to the bottom of the boat. Common sizes are: - Short shaft 19” - Long shaft 21” - Extra Long shaft 25” - Ultra long shaft 25” plus

Weight:

As with power, your boats transom will be rated to a maximum weight. If you’re looking to upgrade from an old two stroke it’s worth noting, there could be a big weight increase going to a new four stroke outboard of the same horsepower. It’s not just the weight your transom can take, if you’re looking at portable outboards you need to be able to lift it. It might not feel too heavy in the dealership showroom, but could you safely lift it in and out of your car? How about off a sailing boat onto a tender on the water? The biggest most powerful outboard might be the best option when in use out on the water but if it’s not practical to get to that stage then it might be worth considering going for a less powerful but more manageable option.

Reliability:

We all know the risks of being out on the water so why put yourself and others in more danger by using an unreliable outboard? Not everyone can justify buying a brand new outboard if this is the case and you’re looking to the second-hand market, stick to the well-known manufactures Honda, Suzuki, Tohatsu etc. a good second hand outboard is going to be a lot more reliable than a new unbranded outboard from ebay or amazon and parts will be easier to source.

Dealer Support:

The top outboard manufactures will have an extensive dealer network throughout the UK but it’s always worth checking before you purchase an outboard online to later find out that you need to travel hours away to get your outboard serviced. You may live minutes away from a main dealer but if you’re planning on taking your boat abroad it’s worth looking into dealer locations in the areas you plan to visit.

Servicing Cost:

Although a brand of outboard may be cheaper to purchase initially, you may end up worse off in the long run. Service items between manufactures vary massively. Before making the decision of which outboard to go for it might be worth checking servicing costs with your local service centre. You can find and compare some of the main manufacture service kits here… Honda Outboard service kits – Suzuki Outboard service kits – Tohatsu Outboard service kits

Warranty:

The longest warranty is the best warranty, right? Not necessarily. It’s worth looking into what’s covered under the manufactures warranty terms and conditions. A manufacturer may offer a 10 year warranty but does that cover all parts and labour for the whole 10 years? Some will offer parts and labour for 5 years whereas others might offer a 7 year warranty but split it into 3 years parts and labour plus another 4 years parts only.

New vs Second Hand:

There are many benefits to buying a new outboard from the warranty, reliability and knowing the service history of the motor. But for many people buying new isn’t justifiable and buying second hand is the way to go. We will do a separate post on what to look out for when buying used but some of the main things to look for when buying used are: • Buy from well-known manufactures Honda Outboard Engines – Suzuki Outboard Engine – Tohatsu Outboard Engine etc. a good second hand outboard is going to be a lot more reliable than a new unbranded outboard from eBay or amazon. • Getting a factory trained engineer to attend and carryout an engine inspection • Check the service records • Check the oils for signs of water and emulsification

Prop Size:

Most portable outboards will come with a prop, but this isn’t necessarily the correct size for your boat. With the smaller engines prop size isn’t usual too important for most users as long as it pushes them along without putting excess strain on the motor but if you are looking to get the most from your outboard you should contact the boat manufacturer/importer or dealer. They will be able to advise you on the perfect prop for your boat and outboard package.

Budget:

New or used all comes down to budget but you should also keep a close eye on current market value. Used outboards are niche market and can be like trading any other commodity. They fluctuate in price dramatically and on one hand you could buy cheap, get a bargain and sell high a few years later, on the other you could pay only 10-15% less than a new outboard from a dealer. Always explore both options. SAL Marine are able to offer finance on some engine packages so if you want new but are a little stretched, we can always look into this for you.

Fuel Efficiency:

There are several reasons why fuel efficiency is crucial. For starters, choosing an efficient engine is better for the environment. You save money on petrol and lower your carbon footprint. The overall range of your boat is calculated by multiplying the capacity of your gasoline tank in gallons by the mileage per gallon, so a more efficient engine allows you to travel further between fill-ups. Honda offer “Eco mode” a fuel saving mode that kicks in when an RPM range is maintained. It backs off and fine tunes fuel delivery to make sure you are getting the most out of a tank. Suzuki offer, “Lean burn” Which changes multiple fuel map and timing parameters to ensure optimal fuel burn

Summary:

• New or used is up to you but check the service costs and make sur you get the right shaft length. • Make sure you check the weight and horsepower rating for your boat before you buy. • Find out where your local dealer is and make sure you will have support when you need it • Warranty, not all created equal so read up on what’s covered • If your buying used, get a qualified engineer to carry out an inspection. • All new Outboard have similar fuel efficiency so if your buying new you will save on fuel.

Our key brands:

View our range of outboard here - SAL Marine

Honda Outboard Engines

Suzuki Outboard Engine

Tohatsu Outboard Engine