Mechanic said he would never buy used saltwater outboards, no matter how cheap. - The Hull Truth

RussH · 10-26-2007, 05:25 AM

I had an opportunity to purchase a pair of 2003 Yamaha 250HP outboards w/ less than 500 hours for $11K so I called my local mechanic and asked him how much he would charge to rig these onto my boat. He asked where I was getting them and I told him Florida and he said I would be a fool to purchase these engines. He wouldn't buy a saltwater outboard no matter what brand, no matter how cheap.

I understand the corrosion problem with saltwater but does it significantly reduce the life of the engine? What is the problem with a pair of 4 year old outboards with less than 500 hours on them because they were used in saltwater? Is it a problem taking outboards from saltwater to freshwater?

He didn't offer to sell me a pair of outboards so I don't think that was his motivation to discourage me from buying these engines.

Russ

Cuzmondo · 10-26-2007, 05:33 AM

You need to find another mechanic. These motors are designed to run a long time in the saltwater environment. I had a pair of '91 model 150 Yamaha's on my last boat with over 1,000 hrs. on them and they're still running strong for the people I sold the boat to. Depends a lot on how well they were maintained; we live in Florida and have never used a boat in freshwater, but wash boat motor and trailer top to bottom after each use. The only problem I ever had with corrosion was a trim motor rusted through on a 1996 model Johnson - Oceanrunner. No problem going from saltwater to fresh, but there may be a differend zinc you need to use for exclusive freshwater use.

Samn · 10-26-2007, 05:34 AM

What are a pair of saltwater 250 for??? Ive got a 250 yamaha, fresh water flushed every trip. if you want new, buy new ,but after the first trip its used...

Pursuit2470 · 10-26-2007, 05:54 AM

I agree with the others......I just sold my 2002 Yam 250OX66.........500 hours........They are very durable engines......I'd flush them out with Salt-X....change out the water pumps and T' stats..........I think you can a make a bettter deal than 11K.....on them but.......If maintained probably have another 1,500 hours left in them.......The only reason I sold mine was ....5 years old..and sometimes run way offshore with a single..........except for a healthy fuel/oil burn, it was a good engine.........

Real Screamer · 10-26-2007, 06:07 AM

Sounds like a parts changer, not mechanic.

SEASWIRL PAUL · 10-26-2007, 06:08 AM

Russ, I totally agree with your mechanic. If you look at a boat thats been saltwater used and compare it with the freshwater boats that you see around here there is no comparison. Pitting, corrosion and basic thrashing occurs in a saltwater environment.

In 8 years of use there is not one spot of corrosion anywhere on my boat or motor. If it had been saltwater docked for the last 8 years I guarantee that the boat and motor would look A LOT worse.

Heck, we live on the Great lakes. Why even consider saltwater motors when we have a large selection of "Freshwater" used motors to buy? Not to mention that our season is so much shorter here any motor would theoretically have much less use for the age of the motors.

DONT DO IT. JM2C Good luck Paul

Door#3 · 10-26-2007, 06:18 AM

My 2002 Yamaha has been used in nothing but salt water but you wouldn't know it unless I told you.

What water an engine is used in is a consideration, not an absolute reason to bail.

Grady Wahoo · 10-26-2007, 06:52 AM

Quote:

SEASWIRL PAUL - 10/26/2007 5:08 AM

Russ, I totally agree with your mechanic. If you look at a boat thats been saltwater used and compare it with the freshwater boats that you see around here there is no comparison. Pitting, corrosion and basic thrashing occurs in a saltwater environment.

In 8 years of use there is not one spot of corrosion anywhere on my boat or motor. If it had been saltwater docked for the last 8 years I guarantee that the boat and motor would look A LOT worse.

Heck, we live on the Great lakes. Why even consider saltwater motors when we have a large selection of "Freshwater" used motors to buy? Not to mention that our season is so much shorter here any motor would theoretically have much less use for the age of the motors.

DONT DO IT. JM2C Good luck Paul

He said 03 not 83. Sigh, like we're on 2 different planets here. OK so all the motors in use up and down the coast are junk? sigh Yeah, fresh water motors will have less corrosion, and if you live in a lake area-sure look for fresh water motors. On the other hand, I don't think outboard technology would be where it is today if the only motors they sold were sitting in lakes. Done with rant.............

richinct · 10-26-2007, 07:04 AM

Given a choice I would buy fresh water motors first but there is nothing wrong with salt water motors, that is what they are made for. I would be hesitant to buy used motors that are 1000 or 1500 miles away. How are you going to check them out? I am not sure I would buy Florida motors, they boat year round down there, how would you verify the less than 500 hours? If you are in the market for used motors I would try to buy local.

Afishinado · 10-26-2007, 07:04 AM

Grady is right "He said 03 not 83" That'd be the deal breaker in todays world anyway... I have bought few freshwater engines that were 10 year oldish off ebay and forum classifieds, amazing difference no doubt. But 3 or 4 years shouldn't make any difference at all...

Sleeper · 10-26-2007, 07:10 AM

Find a new mechanic, this one is an idiot.

rwidman · 10-26-2007, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Cuzmondo - 10/26/2007 7:33 AM

You need to find another mechanic. .

Seacat FL · 10-26-2007, 07:43 AM

Quote:

RussH - 10/26/2007 7:25 AM

I had an opportunity to purchase a pair of 2003 Yamaha 250HP outboards w/ less than 500 hours for $11K so I called my local mechanic and asked him how much he would charge to rig these onto my boat. He asked where I was getting them and I told him Florida and he said I would be a fool to purchase these engines. He wouldn't buy a saltwater outboard no matter what brand, no matter how cheap.

I understand the corrosion problem with saltwater but does it significantly reduce the life of the engine? What is the problem with a pair of 4 year old outboards with less than 500 hours on them because they were used in saltwater? Is it a problem taking outboards from saltwater to freshwater?

He didn't offer to sell me a pair of outboards so I don't think that was his motivation to discourage me from buying these engines.

Russ

You didn't say what model they were. If they were 2003 250 HPDI's I wouldn't buy them if they had been kept new in the crate in a warehouse since 2003.

Yamaha had major problems with the 250 HPDI motors and eventually discontinued them. Do a search here at THT for 250 HPDI.

Eyehooker · 10-26-2007, 07:54 AM

Yes and No-- Care and age means everything--- if kept in the water and if out of warranty; I would walk-- towed or dry stacked less than 6 years old --purchase @ good price otherwise would look for freshwater engine up North they are luck to get 50-100 hours use per year especilly if the boat had a kicker

jenkinsph · 10-26-2007, 07:59 AM

Not mentioning names but a pair of 250 Verados' sold recently for $9000 2005 models and were used in saltwater and I am
positive were very well maintained. This would have been the ones to get.

Steve

danno1 · 10-26-2007, 08:06 AM

There are MORE outboards used in saltwater, than fresh around the coast. Constantly being bought and sold, with long years and hours on them. If you live near a lake, and can find a fresh motor thats great. But, it could still have high hrs, where something can wear out anyway.

mkus · 10-26-2007, 08:32 AM

Most outboards have a zinc inside the water jacket I found mine under the exhaust manifold cover they need to be replaced too.
I had no corrision inside my honda and its used in the salt allthe time just flush after every use.

RussH · 10-26-2007, 09:06 AM

I've been looking for twin 225HP or 250HP outboards in the great lakes area and haven't been able to find any for a decent price. Since I've decided to put my boat up for sale I am no longer looking for a pair of engines but I am now looking for a 23' or 25'
Parker pilothouse but there are no used ones for sale in my area so I am considering buying one from the east coast which would
be a saltwater engine.

I was surprised by Mike's (the mechanic) strong opinion about buying saltwater outboards. Many newer outboards say "saltwater series" or some reference to saltwater so obviously they are built for saltwater use.

Russ

ScarabChris · 10-26-2007, 09:54 AM

Yeah and try to find a pair of used but newer 250 HP outboards used only in fresh water. That could take some time. Russ......buy the engines, its comon to buy used engines that have been in salt water.

And a fresh water engine isn't always that good either. Back in the 90s I bought a fresh water 150 Johsnon that lasted less than a year. At the time the engine was about 5 years old.

It doesn't matter what water the engine was used in but rather how it was taken care of.

tuna1 · 10-26-2007, 09:57 AM

Totally agree with the 1st mechanic-No Way! To many variables with used engines in salt water,more the further south you go! My life and people aboard are more important than money saved on used power!!!! To much can go wrong at sea as it is,don't need someones else's problems that they had little confidence in and replaced! Now a 100 percent taredown and proper rebuilt- Better than a new power plant !- The only problem it costs more than new power!!!!