Repower Your Boat?

AMONG THE RATHER shocking, unpredictable, and downright weird effects of the Covid pandemic is a shortage of boats.

Yes, boats.

This spring and summer family after family canceled their vacation travel plans and tried to think of safe forms of recreation. So, the popularity of fishing from a boat shot through the roof.

In a matter of months it became difficult to find some specific makes and models. According to the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association, boat sales nationwide jumped a hair-raising 59 percent from April to May this spring.

This is great news for boat dealers and manufacturers. But, what about for those of us who had hoped to buy a new boat? In some cases we may have to pay a premium, and in others we may have to wait for months on end to get the exact boat we want. These issues have led a lot of people who already own fishing boats to consider another option: repowering them.

Before even beginning this discussion, we should note that most powerboats today are built so well they will outlast their power plants by a wide margin. However, it might mean a rewiring job, replacing things such as canvas and vinyl, and/or deoxidizing the gel coat. If you own a boat built in the past 20 or so years, chances are it’s structurally solid and will remain so long after the engine(s) it was first sold with go kaput.

If you like the boat you already have, but the engine has become aged or unreliable—or maybe you’d just like to add a bit of zing to the boat’s performance—repowering has several plusses and minuses. On the upside, the number-one benefit is your boat will probably be very reliable for a number of years—hopefully, many years.

Performance can be enhanced if you up-size the engine. Often, even a motor of the same horsepower rating will provide a bit of a performance boost simply because it’s fresh.

Performance may also go up a (small) notch because the rig’s overall weight can be reduced, as well. Many modern four-strokes are lighter than the versions built in previous years. Reducing the weight of your rig means better efficiency plus potentially a better running angle.

Another possible positive side effect in this case is a reduced fuel burn. Not only is this because of weight reduction, but many modern four-strokes are more fuel efficient than the versions built five or 10 years ago. This might be to the tune of four to seven percent.

You might enjoy some peripheral benefits after repowering a boat, too. If you replace the steering and controls at the same time (which is commonly the case) handling can be greatly enhanced. You might have the option of upgrading to fly-by-wire as opposed to cable controls. This can make the boat easier to run and more reliable. Maybe you covet a jack plate, power-assisted steering, or an autopilot. A repower job offers the perfect opportunity to have it installed.

One must recognize, of course, a few downsides to repowering. The biggest relates to cost and value. You’re likely to devalue the new engine the moment you hang it on your old boat’s transom.

Resale value of the package can’t be expected to increase by more than around 70-percent of the cost of the engine. And yes, additional devaluation does go on from there.

Remember, however, somewhat counter-intuitive cost-savings are involved with a repower. With a new engine that doesn’t need constant repairs, your maintenance costs will probably go way down, at least for the first several years.

Added bonus: if something does go wrong early in the game, you’ll be covered by a warranty.

More potential downsides arise when considering what upgrades (read: additional expenses) may be necessary to support the new power plant. Some newer model outboards may have integrated power steering systems that require electrical and/or battery upgrades.

If you up the horsepower, you might need to have larger fuel lines installed. If you switch brands, going from cable to fly-by-wire, or to replace a very old outboard, you can bet that all your gauges and wiring harnesses should be replaced.

If you get rid of an older two-stroke you might have a net increase in the package’s weight. This negates some of the potential up-sides of having a new motor. However, if you go from a smoky old two-banger to a modern four-stroke, you’ll be thrilled at the vast reduction in sound, vibration, and emission levels.

Once upon a time you needed a serious wad of cash to repower a boat. However, repowering has become popular enough that marine lenders now offer financing programs specifically for these jobs. Most of the major outboard manufacturers offer financing programs or work directly with companies that do. This can make the financing process easy and seamless.

It’s common for your local dealer to set up the deal, then roll the cost of removing the old engine and mounting the new one right into the loan—sometimes with no money down.

Is repowering the best move for you, personally? That’s a decision only you can make. The first step is asking yourself whether you love your boat or not. If you do, repowering is probably an option deserving serious consideration.

Either way, one thing is for sure. If you want a better fishing boat and your choices are limited, repowering will give that old boat a new lease on life. In the long run, that may be exactly what you need to seek out more and bigger fish.

 

Email Lenny Rudow at ContactUs@fishgame.com

 

 

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