Life expectancy of today’s outboard motors

[MakoMatt]

What can you expect in terms of the hours on life expectancy on todays outboard motors?? Also, what does maintenance costs look like? This would be for twin outboards in the 200-300hp range.

 

[Roccus7]

2 or 4 cycle? A well-maintained, regularly serviced with all factory recommended service, and not abused, 4 cycle should go over 2000 hours. And since they need to be plugged into the "Mother Ship's Computer", even basic maintenance if difficult DIY...

Winterization, yearly service will probably run you a good $300 - 500 each if it's done by a mechanic, that's a SWAG. I spend a good $300 on my 115, but because I put on around 150 hours per year, I insist on new water pump, thermostat and internal zincs as part of my winterization program.

Boats are easy, but they ain't cheap...

 

[MakoMatt]

Thank you, they would be 4 strokes. So I’m going to budget about $500 each motor, $1,000 per year. If I come in less than that…… great. I would think that i will on an occasional year come in higher than the $1,000 due to some unknown right now repair.

I wish I could find something diesel powered without breaking the bank where I could get some good speed. 2,000 hours on a diesel is nothing and the 100 hour maintenance is pretty simple for a DIYer.

 

[Roccus7]

Thank you, they would be 4 strokes. So I’m going to budget about $500 each motor, $1,000 per year. If I come in less than that…… great. I would think that i will on an occasional year come in higher than the $1,000 due to some unknown right now repair.

Oh year, I just replaced my tilt/trim motor and shift/throttle cables.

Now what I quoted was engines only, and did not include things boat specific like shrink wrapping, bottom painting, trailer stuff, etc. If you're on a tight budget you can't forget all these too...

I had a friend who wanted me to help him do a P&L on a sailboat, figuring if he spent weekends on it, it would save him money because he wouldn't be going anywhere on vacations. I just started laughing saying, "1st, your wife isn't going to let the boat replace all vacations, and most importantly, NEVER look at a boat as a Profit/Loss scenario unless you're ready to drown in a sea of blood..."

Bottom line, unless you're going to be using the boat quite frequently, Freedom Boat Clubs can help reduce the $$ one bleeds on boating.