Does new engine turn you off.

[chambers1517]

I noticed when looking at boats I tend to skip the adds with "New Engine" in them. Should this be a selling point, do owners think this is a selling point. I would be more interested in a boat with 400 hours on it than the same boat with a " New Engine" Do you guys tend to feel the same way.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Does new engine turn you off.

In summary, Yes, I feel that way. Too many questions about what happened that will never get answered truthfully in my opinion. I have a 22 year old boat that had not seen the best care before me, but the engine is still in great condition.

 

[redneck joe]

Re: Does new engine turn you off.

really all depends on the rest of the boat I guess. While I've never bought one with a new engine, buddy of mine did so last year. Like new boat plus a new motor (with warranty) and at his age and bad knee that's what he was looking for.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Does new engine turn you off.

Not always.

If the boat was sold originally underpowered then absolutely no, we have all seen the 24'-25' bowrider with a 5.0L motor, and that is underpowered for most buyers, if that same boat was cared for properly over its lifetime and is in good or great shape, it is the perfect boat for a repower, plus it would make it more valuable on the US market.

But I agree with you that the majority of time, it certainly causes me to wonder what the owner did wrong, and what else could the owner have done.

But the fact is that most of the time US owners are all about horsepower, those that look for fuel efficient boats are very much in the minority, add to that the fact that bigger motors in bigger boats can be more fuel efficient then smaller motors in the same boat and uneducated new buyers with lots of money and you have a perfect storm for underpowered large boats.

So I guess for me the answer is Yes and No?!

 

[Maclin]

Re: Does new engine turn you off.

I guess to me it depends on the wording in the ad if I would pursue with more questions. Like "Repowered recently" versus "New Engine, all you have to do is..." that kind of thing.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Does new engine turn you off.

"Replaced under warranty" sounds nice though

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: Does new engine turn you off.

I've replaced my motor (due to PO's non-winterization). Agreed it's a turn off for me as well. In my mind, there's too many "what ifs" from a motor that's been replaced. I tend to not trust someone selling their stuff as often seller's will say whatever needs to be said to get an item sold.

Funny thing, I'm fair person and when I sold my Baja I forced the buyer to take a lake test before I took his money. He was ready to hand over the cash at the house. I told him to wait until after we water tested it. I wanted the peace of mind knowing the boat did what I claimed it would do with him present...and then promptly took his cash!

 

[chambers1517]

Re: Does new engine turn you off.

Just the thought also that someone has removed the engine and replaced it worries me. I would wonder if the job was done correctly. I had a friend who had a new engine put in his boat. It had frozen and cracked. They bought the long block from an auto store and switched all his components over to it. I dont know if there is a difference in a longblock from an auto store or not but he spent all summer trying to figure it out. The boat would run smooth, plane out quickly and pull strong but it would slowly overheat. I think he replaced every component of the cooling system and never did figure it out. He finally said it must be because it was a truck engine. The bad thing is he sold the boat with the "New Engine pitch.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Does new engine turn you off.

I'm not sure why a boat having a new engine would be a reason to disregard the boat. My boat has about 20 hours of run time on a reman 351w, which was put in because the previous 351w (~700 hours) being seized from water reversion from lack of exhaust flappers right before we yanked the engine to repair a rotten transom. The new engine has many new components and a few small performance add-ons. In all respects, it's better than the original engine and runs like a top.

Obviously when you see the "new engine" comment, it should prompt you to ask questions. It shouldn't solely be a reason to disregard a potential boat that may be pristine in all other respects. If the owner "forgot to winterize", then there's a good chance they "forgot" to do a lot of other maintenance. Lastly, if the engine is new and has only been run for 10-20 hours or so, there's a chance you'll still have some gremlins to work out, but at least it's hard to let the maintenance lapse in that short of a time period.

 

[jkust]

Re: Does new engine turn you off.

It wouldn't turn me off but I don't know that I'd pay a premium for it.

 

[Ned L]

Re: Does new engine turn you off.

Repowering wouldn't turn me off at all. In 'larger' boats where age is mush less of a factor boats will normally go through multiple engine replacements, and new engines can be a positive selling point.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Does new engine turn you off.

Depends, if it is some redneck that took the engine out of the Camaro in his front lawn and put in the boat then yes, if its some dude that had a shop do it then no.

 

[Fleetwin]

Re: Does new engine turn you off.

It's a plus, especially if it's an outboard repower.

Inboard-I/O it just is an idicator to ask more questions.

 

[Brian 26]

Re: Does new engine turn you off.

If it's a guy with an old boat who claims it was but doesn't have receipts - yes.

On the flip side if its a newer boat with receipts showing the $10k repair was done by a dealer then it's a bonus. However those are the two extreme examples, lotta gray area in between.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Does new engine turn you off.

On an Outboard it is a plus ~~ depending on price of the boat/motor. I changed once simply for more power. Changed a Merc once to Yamaha simply because I'll not own anything but a Yamaha. Always a NEW OB, never used.

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

Re: Does new engine turn you off.

I'm another in the "ask more questions" camp. A professionally replaced new engine on an older boat is a bonus, you are largely starting out with a clean slate. A shade tree replaced engine, or a "replacement" with no receipts.....not so much.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Does new engine turn you off.

In the world of coastal you can't give away a carbureted or EFI 2 stroke no matter what condition it is in.

A "new" outboard on an "older" hull is expected or your buying / selling the boat for "hull value" only.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Does new engine turn you off.

My definition of new engine and seller may differ...I'd still get it checked out..concerned. .na..

 

[tazrig]

Re: Does new engine turn you off.

If the age of the boat and hours on old engine warrant a re-power then no I wouldn't be concerned. I have a 1976 boat that is on it's 3rd set of engines. If the old engines have been replaced with complete power packages and the boat is in good condition then what's to worry about? :noidea:

 

[san dimas]

Re: Does new engine turn you off.

"Rebuilt Engine" worries me more. I don't trust anyone to rebuild a motor these days.