When i was on the market to buy a boat, I often came across a good deal on a used boat. But when I looked at the hours, I didn’t know how many was too many. Just like your car’s engine is one of its most important parts, so it is your boat’s engine. This is why I took it upon myself to research the average number of hours a boat’s engine lasts during usage.
So what are the average hours a boat engine has? Gasoline boat engines run for an average of 1500 hours before the need for an extreme overhaul. While the average marine diesel engine will run more than three times the gasoline engine will and can log about an average of 5000 hours under the same conditions.
Usually, marine gasoline engines typically work just fine their first 1000 hours of use, but after that, they begin to show some minor problem signs which if not quickly attended to can grow into major problems that can even reduce its whole estimated average lifespan.
How Many Hours on a Boat is Considered High?
The number of hours marine boat engines run on is reliant upon several factors, including the quality and amount of maintenance and care administered throughout the years. A marine gasoline boat engine that is well cared for and maintained and used under great conditions can run for more than the allotted 1500 hours without the need for a major overhaul. However, those that are operated under very bad conditions such as operating at infrequent intervals, neglect, salty air, and a damp bilge are certain to cause the engine to perish way more quickly.
If you want a more long-lasting running engine, then you should consider some factors such as the engine and fuel type it uses.
- Diesel engines are made sturdier than gasoline engines. If their maintenance is well attended to, they can deliver up to 8000 hours of diligent performance before needing to be replaced. They may even last as long as your boat does if you take excellent care of it. They can be quite costly but are worth considering because they give good value for the money. A recreational boater can possibly use their boat an average of 200 hours per year meaning the 8000-hour engine can last up to 40 years. Diesel engines are very durable and safer to use because of their higher flash points than gasoline engines, reducing the danger of explosions.
- Automobile engines can run twice as long as a typical marine gasoline engine. Some can go 3000+ hours and this because they are used in less harsh conditions and do not perform as intensively.
- Marine engines work under adverse conditions that contribute to their longevity or lack thereof. The lack of dry cool air which they need to function at their best prevents them from doing so. It is recommended by naval architects that engine compartments should have access to lots of dry, clean, cool air ideally at 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Life Expectancy of an Outboard, Inboard and Jet Boat Engines
It is important to be informed about your outboard boat’s engine capacity concerning how long it has before it finally gives out. Many underlying factors affect the endurance of the motor, such as maintenance, type, and age.
An outboard engine can run on an average of about 1500 hours. Although every outboard engine is different, as long as it’s maintained well, it is bound to last longer but only if it is used regularly.
Outboard parts are prone to breakage as opposed to wearing, which is why it is essential to take good care of them to increase their longevity. Neglecting your outboard or using them without constant check-ups tend to cause various problems.
An inboard engine can run for an average of between 1500 to 2000 hours depending on the type. As with outboard engines, maintenance is crucial to prolonging the usefulness of an inboard motor.
Ventilation is crucial for an inboard motor and should be continuously checked; otherwise overheating could cause a fire. Constant checks and maintenance are essential to ensure the engine performs at optimal levels for a longer period.
Jetboat engines also average around 1500 of usage before changes need to be made. However, due to having fewer moving parts than other engine types, jet engines tend to be less demanding in terms of repairs. In spite of this, maintenance is still key and will largely dictate how long the engine lasts.
Although most engines have an average life expectancy of about 1500 hours before major overhauls are needed. Good maintenance practices are key to ensuring that your engine lasts the course or even further.
Other factors affect the life expectancy of an engine as well, including brand and type. Some high quality brand motors are more likely to be more durable, although this is not always the case. Also, diesel engines are known to, on average, last for about 4-5 times more hours than gas engines.
Average Boat Usage Per Year
Industry experts place the average usage for a boat around 50-100 hours a year. However, several factors determine whether this average will apply to you or not. Some of these factors include the purpose of the usage as well as the climate and the location where the boat is being used.
50-100 hours of usage a year is usually typical for recreational boaters. The number of usage hours, however, is significantly higher for boats that are used for some form of business like fishing.
The location of the boat owner and the climate can also affect the average usage of the boat. Some places have longer boating seasons than others, which usually translates into more boating hours. Shorter boating seasons will also often mean fewer usage hours in a year.
How Many Hours are Too Many for a Used Boat?
If you’re preparing to purchase a used boat, this question will be of most interest to you. According to industry people and experts, 1000 hours is the maximum mileage for a used boat you’re considering purchasing.
The truth about boat hours, however, is much more complex and depends on so many other decisive factors. For instance, a high hour boat that has been well cared for will be a much better option than a low hour boat which has been largely neglected.
In all reality, unless you are looking at a high hour boat (2,000+ hours) there are not a lot of drawbacks to the number of hours a boat has especially as boats with constant use (average 50-100 hours per year) will usually run better than boats with low hours. V-Drive boats
equipped with high-performance V8 engines that shouldn’t be overused but should also not sit and perform better when running regularly. Settling (non-use) will usually cause more problems over time than overuse.
Making a decision based on the number of hours alone is not the best. Rather, the number of hours for each boat is best judged in the context of the following conditions:
The quality of the ship itself, the history of the boat and the current condition of the boat.
The quality of a boat is probably the first thing to consider when looking at the hours. For instance, if the boat in question is a high-quality boat that is known for usually running 2000+ hours before a rebuild is needed, then at 1000 hours you could still get 1000 hours of usage from the boat if only it’s in good condition. In that scenario, 1000 hours of usage is not a deal-breaker at all.
The history of the boat in question is also essential when considering the number of hours. Before checking the boat out, you should find out about its history. How many owners has it had? How long did they keep it for? Has it undergone any major incidents or repairs? Knowing the history can help you quickly ascertain whether the number of hours on the boat is extremely significant or can be overlooked.
The condition of the boat is also important when deciding whether its hours are too much. If a vessel has been maintained correctly and is in excellent condition upon several checks, then a relatively high number of hours will not be as huge a red flag. If on the other hand the boat has been abandoned or poorly taken care of, making it liable to break down at any point shortly.
Considering this should help you make the best choice regarding what number of hours is too many for any specifically used boat. Just make sure to consider the number of hours when negotiating the price no matter how favourable the other factors are.
Related Questions
Is it safe to purchase a used boat? Buying a used boat always comes with a risk as a perfectly functional machine could give up on you suddenly or cause you problems out of the blue. To reduce this risk, it is best to look for a boat that has been well cared for. Documents like Service records, Computer printouts etc. as well as pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic are extremely important when evaluating the condition of a motor.
What else should you consider before buying a used boat? You should also always thoroughly check the current condition of the boat. When checking the boat, make sure to look out extensively for leaks, no matter how small. Check the bolts on the engines to ensure there haven’t been any undisclosed maintenance. The idea is to have an accurate picture of the boat’s condition depicted in your mind so you can accurately gauge how much impact the usage hours have on it. It is normal for a high hour boat to have had some repairs or need some repairs, however disclosure and proof that these repairs have been handled correctly is crucial in your purchase of one.
