Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating - View Single Post - How many engine hours do you expect to get from your outboard before you replace it?

Mr. Sandman · 07-15-2003, 08:08 AM

IMHO, running WOT will reduce any engine life. No manufacture recommends running WOT for any length of time.

I have always liked the powering scheme where you slightly over-power and cruise at a reduced rpm. IMO, this gives you less strain on the engine, decent fuel economy a good cruise speed and plenty in reserve to really haul ass when you have to. The downside is more weight.

I have met a couple guys that use their motors nearly everyday and they seem to get upwards of 1500-1600 before the re-power. To me that is amazing....Most rec's seem to get much less then 1000 before they start having serious problems. It is probably more a function of a time(years in salt water) and engine hours. I know (from experience) that engine hours are not everything...electrical problems can be a pain in the butt even though you've got low hours.

I was thinking of re-powering ( or trading up) @ 600-700 range....I figure this will give me 3 decent seasons of running.

07-15-2003, 08:08 AM	#6
Mr. Sandman Registered User iTrader: (0) Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 7,649	IMHO, running WOT will reduce any engine life. No manufacture recommends running WOT for any length of time. I have always liked the powering scheme where you slightly over-power and cruise at a reduced rpm. IMO, this gives you less strain on the engine, decent fuel economy a good cruise speed and plenty in reserve to really haul ass when you have to. The downside is more weight. I have met a couple guys that use their motors nearly everyday and they seem to get upwards of 1500-1600 before the re-power. To me that is amazing....Most rec's seem to get much less then 1000 before they start having serious problems. It is probably more a function of a time(years in salt water) and engine hours. I know (from experience) that engine hours are not everything...electrical problems can be a pain in the butt even though you've got low hours. I was thinking of re-powering ( or trading up) @ 600-700 range....I figure this will give me 3 decent seasons of running.