What to look for in used outboard

[tomyoud]

Hi guys, I'm looking at a boat tomorrow, it's a 2019 model with a warranty on the hull (3 years remaining) and engine (1 year remaining) and has been drystack all it's life and very lightly used with under 50 hours.


The outboard has apparently been flushed after each use, under the hood it looks really tidy.
I was tempted to pull a spark plug and also one of the anodes to see if I could get an idea of flushing etc


What would people be looking out for? Anything else to look at?

[TmMorris]

I think this is becoming one of my most common phrases on this forum

Compression test the cylinders.

Your basic servicing should all be up to date and you could spend a lot of time checking the various systems etc but if you were going to go that far you'd probably be sensible to pay a proper surveyor to run through the whole rig.

What a compression test will do is assure you that the engine hasn't been fubarred. You can fix cooling, fuelling, electrics at home but if you don't have uniform and strong compression across the cylinders then there is a serious issue. At the same time you can look at the plugs and check all are uniform and with the right type of muck on them.

[TonyM]

Originally Posted by TmMorris

I think this is becoming one of my most common phrases on this forum

Compression test the cylinders.

Your basic servicing should all be up to date and you could spend a lot of time checking the various systems etc but if you were going to go that far you'd probably be sensible to pay a proper surveyor to run through the whole rig.

What a compression test will do is assure you that the engine hasn't been fubarred. You can fix cooling, fuelling, electrics at home but if you don't have uniform and strong compression across the cylinders then there is a serious issue. At the same time you can look at the plugs and check all are uniform and with the right type of muck on them.

Amen to that one

Start and run the engine cold and re-start from warm, water flow, ease of start, throttle response, leaks, function of charging system, warning lights, instruments etc. check all frictions, tilts, controls, prop damage, evidence of crappy repiars previously (Welding, mild steel bolts etc. Dependant on the engine and it's value, a professional survey could be money very well spent.

[Jon Tallis]

Don't forget to check the power Trim if fitted......he says from bitter experience [emoji17]

[Orwell boy]

Does anybody else consider the trust issue ,consider the reputation of the seller ,their reasons for selling ,the story so far ,whether their ownership looks honest ,
If your meeting in a lay by ,its possibily not worth getting your compression tester out ,if you know what i mean !
Maybe a bit old school but i persnally wouldnt have anybody waste my time with their compression tester if i was selling

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by TmMorris

I think this is becoming one of my most common phrases on this forum
.

Aye, one of many…

[909]

I buy a lot of older outboards. In my limited experience ...

Buy someone's personal motor. Make sure they're mechanically competent. Bring a stand and a bucket just in case. You wouldn't buy a car without driving it.

A lot of guys go to boat graveyards and pick up 2 or 3 junk motors and frankenstein them into a working outboard. Everything should match.