Tips on How to Get The Best Outboard Motor | The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide

With the number of boaters on the rise, you may find yourself among those who are looking for their opportunity to get out on the water.

If you are buying an outboard motor, it doesn’t matter if you have a new boat or used boat; this needs to be on your to-do list.

While there are plenty of cheap boat engines available, don’t purchase based on price alone. You won’t know what you’re getting if you buy from an unauthorized dealer, so consider what you want to get out of your boating experience and let that guide you towards the right motor for you.

They say B-O-A-T stands for “Break Out Another Thousand,” which is why you’ll want to take the time to make an informed decision before you go all-in.

Buying the right outboard motor will help guarantee your expectations for performance, reliability, fuel efficiency and power are met.

Buying Outboard Motor Parts

When buying an outboard motor, you want the best performance for the best price. A good motor is only as good as the sum of its parts, so consider everything.

Have you thought about what type of propeller you’ll need? Three blades or four?

Selecting the right prop will get your boat up on a plane faster and will help it run at the ideal RPMs at wide-open throttle.

Prop diameter, pitch, rotation direction, and the material will affect your boat’s performance.

To narrow down which prop is right for you, ask yourself how you’ll use the boat. Are you towing water skiers? Speeding out to your favourite fishing spot? Will your boat be loaded down with gear and people?

All of these will be a factor in choosing the parts that make up your ideal outboard.

Err on the Side of More Power

Horsepower is a significant consideration when searching for outboard boat engines. But what is it, and how much is enough?

First, let’s understand that horsepower is defined as a unit of power equal to 550 foot-pounds per second, and it’s used to measure the power of a motor.

To figure out how much horsepower your boat needs, use the general rule of thumb of between 25 and 40 pounds of weight for each horsepower.

By dividing the weight of your boat by the amount of horsepower, you will get pounds per horsepower. The lower the number, the faster your boat will go.

Keep in mind when you sea-test different types of boat engines, your recorded speed will be a bit faster than what you’ll get once you bring it home. The boats at dealers are not loaded down with passengers, gear, and full gas tanks, all of which will slow you down.

Many people like a lot of power, so when it comes time to resell your boat and motor, a more powerful engine will usually sell faster and for more money.

In some cases, it is illegal to overpower your boat. Do some research and find out the laws in your state to avoid getting dinged with fines and having to replace your motor.

Consider the Control Systems

The digital throttle and shift systems are a lot smoother and more reliable than the old shifting system. Smaller motors rely on throttle cables, which are not always trusty, especially on older motors. Cables will loosen or degrade over time, requiring regular maintenance.

If you are looking at a smaller motor that does not have a digital control system, consider upgrading to a larger motor that does. Digital control systems are superior, and it’ll be worthwhile to upgrade for the control system alone, not to mention the added power.

Fuel Injection Systems Make a Difference

Today’s outboard two-stroke motors are much more efficient than the old puttering hunks of yesteryear. Modern advancement has eliminated the carburetor, which relied on air to carry an approximate amount of fuel into the combustion chamber.

Today’s two-stroke engines use a direct fuel injection or electric fuel injection to force a carefully calculated amount of fuel and air into the cylinder. The fuel mixture is highly atomized, resulting in increased engine power, better fuel economy and a cleaner, complete combustion of fuel.

The direct injection systems also make an environmental difference. By burning all of the available fuel, there is no excess to spill into the exhaust port and pollute our waterways.

Both direct fuel injection and electronic fuel injection eliminate the need for fuel priming, resulting in quick engine starting. With proper maintenance and regular inspection, these engines will outperform their ancestors.

And even though modern two-stroke engines are a bit loud, these upgraded injection systems are more reliable, more fuel-efficient, and friendlier towards the environment.

Too Noisy?

If traditional two-stroke engines are too noisy for your taste, then you’ll want to consider the popular four-stroke. Like automotive engines, these use valves to combust fuel and power the motor.

This system is more complicated, creating a heavier and larger motor. However, advances in technology have lead modern four-strokes to shed a few pounds.

The reduction in size and weight makes this a viable option for smaller boats while increasing performance output.

Four-stroke engines have excellent fuel efficiency, they’re durable and don’t require you to add oil.

Is It in Your Weight Class?

Each boat is affixed with a capacity plate, letting you know how much weight the hull can hold. Be sure to check the specs for your boat and do not load her down with excess engine weight. An engine that’s too heavy will put unnecessary torque on the transom, stressing the hull, which will cause damage and create problems down the road.

Outboard boat motors come in all different weights, so be sure to do your research and find the right engine for your vessel.

Ready to Hit the Water?

There is a lot to consider when buying an outboard motor for a boat. After factoring in cost, horsepower, control and shifting systems, safety, weight regulations, and fuel economy, you may still have many questions.

Please reach out to us by contacting us or visit us in the store so we can help match you up with the best outboard engine to meet your needs.