Quote:
Originally Posted by BroadHopper
I have a 28 year old boat with 1032 hours on the original motor. Meticulously maintained by LLM. Previous owner had the boat in storage for 7 years is the reason for the low mileage. Inside storage in the winter and covered slip in the summer. Motor is still running strong. Talked to other owners of 454 Magnum engines in the marina and 1700 hours is common! I expect many more years of enjoyment!
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While Woodsy had a point about Marine engines being consistently under load, thus wearing out faster... One must think about the car... I have had hour meters in my last several vehicles..... Which have all gone over 5000 hours, with out issue...By the way, I have a truck, that regularly Tows, and is generally used as a Truck, not as a passenger car... Trust me lots of hours under load, Trailering in the Mountains
As I stated earlier, if you aren't needing performance out of the engine, for watersking etc.... putting 2000 hours on an engine is perfectly reasonable. In fact most well loved ski boats get up into the 1000-1200 hour range.... But remember most of these engines are "production engines" when properly sized for the boat, they are built with longevity in mind, this includes the 8.2 and 496 HO models that you find in the larger bow riders and cuddy cabins.....
Now when you move from the production engines, that most people have in their boats, and get into the Mercury High Performance engines..... H.P. 500, H.P. 525 and upward.... these are a different story... These engines are not built for longevity... they are built for performance and power.... They do need regular maintenance, and rebuilding them at around 500 hours is not unheard of... or doing a valve and lifter job at 200 hours .......
Now if Bill really likes his boat.... I suggest the step by step approach....Starting with some MMO.... and then taking the next step....As Dave R mentioned yes you may never recoup your money from putting a new engine in a old boat... but if you love your boat, and its in good shape, investing in it isn't a bad way to go...
I myself am thinking of a new boat... Not because I am scared to invest in my current boat, but only because I want something bigger.... If I wasn't looking to be in a bigger boat.... I would drop a new engine in my boat no problem... replace the transom, with out question... replace stringers, undoubtedly.... Because yes these things cost money... but so does a new boat....I had to invest 2500$ in my boat for an epoxy bottom because of blistering... Money I knew I couldn't get back out of the boat if I sold it... but now its 10 years later..... so it cost me 250$ dollars a year average out.... yep I have gotten that much and more in enjoyment with my wife and kids.....
You Pay for this hobby one way or another.... if you enjoy it.... The money is the least of your concerns.... Finding the time before you retire is the bigger concern!!!!!!!!!!