---

i m thinking of buying a new motor for my bw. its a 1978 21' 4" outrage . i m looking for any opinions on make, model, hp. and how does financing work? is it a large monthly payment or should i just use my 95 225 mariner untils she is done??

---

J Taylor,

Instead of financing, calculate what you think your monthly payment would be for a new engine and deposit that cash every month into a special account. Maintain and run the Mariner to the best of your ability. When she does go, you'll have a nice chunk of change to plunk down on your new Yamaha F225 (hint). If you can get her to last long enough you may find you can pay for the entire engine without making payments and getting hammered with interest by a banker who's already been bailed out by the American tax payer.

Best of luck,

Norm


Actually Kamie,

I think most of us are tired of folks not being able to do their jobs and then being bailed out by US taxpayers.

---

If your present engine is running fine, why buy another engine? When your engine is on it's way out, that should be the time you start thinking about repowering. That should give you plenty of time to do some research and make an educated decision on the next engine.

---

j taylor,

Norm's political comments aside he has a good point. Unless your boat is part of business keep your current one running as long as possible while you save for a new one.

I disagree with Kevin, the time to think about a new engine is the first day you get your boat or a new engine. Engines, like cars only last so long. The sooner you start saving and planing for the day you need a new one, the more engine you will be able to afford.

Financing for boats and engines works exactly like cars. You can either go to your local bank / credit union of choice and take out a personal loan or finance thru one of the big lending companies associated with the boat / engine manufacture. For everything except loans against real property ( i.e your home) it's a money loosing/ expensive undertaking.

---

I agree with Norm in Both his political and finacial points. Save now for a new motor in the future.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

---

Kamie, the only problem with thinking about an engine now is the industry keeps changing. My engine is a 1999, if I started thinking about an engine then, I would be at 1999 technology. Your saying the day you get a new engine you should be looking at the next engine? Engines are like cars, yes I agree. My mom had a 1975 camaro until 3 yrs ago. I kept that car running perfect. If you conduct proper maintence, there is no reason why a motor should not last many years.

---

Cliff & Norm

Last time I checked this was a whaler site. If you want to place to express your political views there are forums for that. Please leave it off WC.

Kevin,
I did not mean that you should limit yourself only start planning for the engines death. Had your mom saved just $1 per day for the life of her Camaro, she would have saved $11680. A nice tidy sum to put toward a new more fuel efficient car.

---

Jt -

What type of use will you be doing with the boat? Do you cruise in protected rivers and bays, near coast or offshore?

How many hours would you estimate your season will be?

How long do you expect to own the boat? If only a few years, the benefit of a new motor is greatly reduced.

Do you venture offshore (>5 miles off the coast), then reliability is very important.
If you are a heavy user, down time due to breakdowns will be frustrating.

While I agree that if the engine is reliable, use it. If it is costing many hundreds per year to care for it, consider a younger engine that is used.

The challenge with outboard motors is a new one is very expensive and depreciates horrendously fast.

For the record, I bought my boat which was re-powered (30 hrs) a few months before the sale. The seller lost his shirt.

---

When your present motor gets to the point that you are reluctant and uneasy about whether or not it will bring you back home then the time has come to seriously weighing your options for replacing it. Peace of mind is worth a lot when you are out on the water

---

J , something else to consider is the tax. In our state if you buy a boat and motor we have a cap of $300. This does not apply to an engine by itself. On a 225 it will take a bit more saving. BG

---

I would also suggest when buying a brand new engine is to buy the cleanest models available and that is the CARB3 rated engines.

You can buy CARB3 rated engines in both new 2 strokes and 4 strokes.
The less weight the engine is the better for Classic models.

Here are a couple of guides depending on what size engine you choose.
Again, CARB3 rating and the lighter the better.
http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...ticle_id=6
http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...icle_id=30

---

Pick an engine that has the best service locally, the engine that came with my boat was an "Evinrude", I needed some shop work done, and the dealer near me has been there since 1961. I asked around and everyone said that he has an "Excellent" reputation. The shop then made a mistake on my repair work, I "politely" told them about it, and they fixed it right away, they then "launched me" at no charge. Good "Service" is what you want when deciding on an engine. I went back to them when it was time to re-power.

---

I agree with Joe in regards of buying a new outboard. I would purchase an outboard soon. I have a feeling the EPA will set standards that the outboard industry can't conform too. Also, with the big government we have that likes to give my money away to people buying a house and cars. Inflation is coming soon.

---

Surfncrow, I don't think it is the end of the outboard industry. Like every other aspect of travel, the outboard industry will adjust to EPA standards as technology improves.

---

Great advice. If you can't pay with cash, its better to wait until you have the cash. This is some of the best advice you can take to prevent from living paycheck to paycheck.

By the way, great signature.

---

I bought my 1991 17' Outrage with a 115 Merc used with less than 50 hours on the motor in 1992. I just finally re-powered with a new etec 115 this last summer. I paid more for the new etec and rigging than I did for the entire boat when it was only a year old.

As far as my new etec? I've been extremely happy with it though only being able to run E10 has me very concerned about potential issues down the road. I planned and saved for my etec. Bought it outright. I figure the banks already have enough of my money.

---

Paying cash is the way to go in times like this. Great advice Johnny.

---

If you don't have the means for instant gratification, it takes patience. The lack of patience and the desire for instant gratification is helping ruin this country IMO.

---

Hi, if you're thinking of buying a new engine, Joe is right in the 3 star rating. The EPA is going to really come down on outboards very soon. Some sort of a catalyc converter IS going to happen. This will only INCREASE the cost of the engine(s). If you can do it soon, do it you'll save money.

---

I think that I was $1.17 short when I busted open the "Piggy Bank" for my engine (come to think about it, it cost more than my whole boat purchase as well). I told the guy that own's the shop "I can throw in a really swell pocket knife, and a comb too".

---

JT, as far as make/model/hp goes, I can tell you that I have been very pleased with my Honda 135hp on my '77 21'. Let me know if you would like performance details.

I would keep the weight as light as possible.