Ask the Experts | Motor Migraines

toneeees

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[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]With few exceptions, every boat will reach a point in time where its engines are simply too exhausted or outdated to run safely and reliably. Whether by high hours or catastrophic failure, many boaters find themselves facing the expensive cost of considering a new boat. In some cases, starting fresh with a brand new engine as a re-power option is the best way to get back on the water, but a rebuild is certainly an avenue worth considering- particularly for those on a more constricting budget.[/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]The benefits of a repower are numerous.[/FONT]
  • [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Near-absolute reliability being the foremost, of course.[/FONT]
  • [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Fuel efficiency by result of newer technology is nice also.[/FONT]
  • [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Repowering always inflates a boat's resale value as well- though never enough to offset the costs completely.[/FONT]
  • [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Also consider that typically a new engine will come with a new user interface (controls, displays, etc) that can make operation simpler and easier. All of this is then covered by a pretty inclusive warranty in most cases.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]That all sounds great, but when it hits the expense account, it's sometimes difficult to justify. For a small fraction of the cost of a repower, an engine's powerhead can be professionally rebuilt and restored to factory specs to leave you with, essentially, a new engine. This doesn't do much for your efficiency, resale value, or improved operation, but you'll have saved a staggering amount of money and be back on the water.[/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Determining which is better for your situation relies on several main criteria (This list is not exhaustive). They are as follows:[/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Length of time you plan to own the boat.[/FONT]
  • [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]If you plan on selling the boat within the next few months or so, you may never see the true benefits of a repower and may price yourself out of the market trying to recoup your investment for new power.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Condition of the engine in question.[/FONT]
  • [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Is the engine a "salty dog"? Is the entire engine in poor, beat-up shape? If yes, it may not make sense to put any more money into the engine but rather start fresh.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Intended use of boat.[/FONT]
  • [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Does the boat run offshore often? Is the boat used in smaller lakes? Of course if absolute reliability is crucial, a repower may be the most effective strategy. By contrast, if the boat is used in small lakes where a tow is easily procured, a rebuild may be a more financially sound option.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Even after the decision is made to either repower or repair, options still exist concerning how intensive the rebuild is, who performs it, or in the case of a repower, what brand you choose and who installs it. As always, it is best to thoroughly research your options before spending your hard earned money; even if to achieve the noble goal of spending more time on the water. You can find some great re-power engines for your consideration on these iboats.com site pages:http://www.boatmotors.com/[/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]As the leading provider of watercraft history reports, BoatHistoryReport.com helps boat buyers make better used watercraft purchase decisions by putting all available information at your fingertips.
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