Outboard Lifespan?

DonK · 03-09-2009, 02:18 PM

This topic may have been broached previously, but I couldn't find it via keyword search. There are alot of opinions on the net, and a substantially wide variation on the opinions...so I wanted to see what SFC members think:

How long should an outboard last? (hours)

!! Obviously there are many, many factors which affect the answer, so I'll place the caveats as follows:

-larger v-6/paired
-2-strokers, EFI, computer oil mixing
-normal southern use: around 100 hours/year, saltwater
-good to very good maintenance: flush regularly, scheduled service
-no tournament hammering...i.e. engines run within reasonable rpm ranges

quack quack · 03-09-2009, 02:31 PM

A outboard motor no matter what brand,stroke,size or how maintained will all run the same amount of hours!!!

They will last for as long as you want to keep repairing them!! LOL

I know guys that have 3000hrs on outboards with very little done to them. I know guys with 250hrs on their 3rd power head and second lower unit. No abuse or miss use just the luck of the draw so to speak. But I think 1500hrs seems to be the avg life of most outboards.

Brand H · 03-09-2009, 02:57 PM

Great topic! I wonder about this all of the time. I have 650 hours on mine and hope I can get that much more. From everything I read, QQ is pretty close. However, I think my comfort level would go down way before that. What I mean is, if I were making a long run say 50+ miles I would be hesitant before 1500. Not sure how much before 1500. That would have to do with any issues I had had with the engine prior and the overall condition.

DonK · 03-09-2009, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quack quack

They will last for as long as you want to keep repairing them!! LOL

nice......

mneptune · 03-09-2009, 04:31 PM

From what I have seen, if all scheduled maintence is observed, they will usually go between 1000 to 1200 hours before a head rebuild. In the end, what matters most is how well you take care of them.

Just my .02

miamiangler1 · 03-09-2009, 04:47 PM

I dont know how many hours For sure on my outboard( Approx 2500 hours ) , 65hp, 1987 Suzuki, but I use it on the weekends Sat & Sunday Have never had any problems with it yet , gets flushed out after every use , yearly mant( lower unit oil and plugs) Cant kill the thing after 22years running ! My Mec, is wondering why my engine isnt beer cans yet

GT Fish · 03-09-2009, 10:28 PM

Hondas that the coast guard uses on there boats have seen 6000+hours on them!

Harry Klauber · 03-10-2009, 05:59 AM

The Yamaha and Honda 4 stroke engines (225-250 HP) are car engines turned on end. How long does your car's engine run without significant repair - in hours? Two things lower the life of an outboard. The first is normal RPM is about twice that of normal for your car thus twice the wear in the same amount of time. The second is they run in a salt air environment which doesn't hurt them that much when they are running as the salt is entrained in the most air. When you shut your engine down at the dock any air trappped within the engine eventually dries and leaves salt deposits. When you start up these salt crystals pass through your engine acting like an abrasive. If you are lucky/unlucky enough (as you see it) to trailer your boat you should always run the engines back at the house and get salt free air through them before any crystalization occurs. With normal maintenance, flushing out after each use, and fogging down after 2-3 trips 5000 - 6000 hours should be no problem. Of course there are those, like were written about, that give up after 250 hours and require powerheads. I believe those to be the exception and the 4 strokes can be expected to last alot longer than the old 2 strokes did. Harry

Disco Lady · 03-10-2009, 07:48 AM

:toast

TTesterman · 03-10-2009, 08:04 AM

a set of 2- stroke , oil injected , pair / set , properly maintained engines ...
we used to get 1800 hrs on the 250 2 stroke yama 250's then it was time for a new set .. the old set seemed to only get another 500 hrs on them before failing .. as for 4 stroke yama 225's.. the engines were taken apart and timing gears and chain at 3,100 hrs still looked good engines still run good. if you figure that some people only run thier engines 150 hrs a year and some put 800 hrs a year .. sometimes the sitting and doing nothing takes it's toll more. I have to hand it to yamaha for the 225 four strokes they are good...

sharkslayer45 · 03-18-2009, 08:02 PM

my engine came with the boat new! 93 225hp yamaha, never had a hour meter on it but it takes me swordin on a regular basis! i have replaced everything but the powerhead, still good compression everytime we check it!

novomarine · 03-18-2009, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTesterman

a set of 2- stroke , oil injected , pair / set , properly maintained engines ...
we used to get 1800 hrs on the 250 2 stroke yama 250's then it was time for a new set .. the old set seemed to only get another 500 hrs on them before failing .. as for 4 stroke yama 225's.. the engines were taken apart and timing gears and chain at 3,100 hrs still looked good engines still run good. if you figure that some people only run thier engines 150 hrs a year and some put 800 hrs a year .. sometimes the sitting and doing nothing takes it's toll more. I have to hand it to yamaha for the 225 four strokes they are good...

a popular bait guy out of Haulover has a 2003 225 Yamaha 4 stroke and it has 5000 hrs on it, 2 weeks ago he had the first problem with it... the fuel pump broke....

Harry Klauber · 03-19-2009, 08:12 AM

And I have a pair of the same engines (later year) only they have 250 hours on them and my stbd engine's fuel pump just broke yesterday. There is always going to be those weird early breakdowns but the 5,000 hours that he has on the engine are actually to be expected. My problem is a warranty repair and it can happen to any engine. Harry

ballyhu · 03-19-2009, 08:37 AM

I think outboards suck. I've had a bunch of outboard powered boats and I can't remember a single trip to the islands where something didn't break. Jmho.

Harry Klauber · 03-19-2009, 09:16 AM

Bill,
I already agreed I'd take a single diesel over twin OB's any day but thay are better than they were years ago and serve their purpose - High HP with low weight allowing smaller boats to run really fast. Harry

TTesterman · 03-19-2009, 09:18 AM

On a bad note here is what can happen with the fuel pumps.. these pics were taken of our port engine with 412 hrs on it.. the filters were clean, secondary filter was clean. good fuel all the time same place.. same station.. warrantee was not even discussed at all because a service manager pointed his finger at us and said 'FUEL'.. funny how we are now up n running good without problems again.. starboard engine has about 68 extra hours on it in the '5 months' it took and about $4,800.00 'OUT of pocket' and many many hassels and arguments with people to try to get the problem fixed.. I learned my engines really fast after all this went down.. starboard engine had like 3 specs of dirt or whatever on the screen.. this is our port engine vst tank and screen .. new fuel pump installed and new hoses on that side and runs like a champ.. guess what..? nobody ever even contacted us on re-imbersment or to say they were wrong.. at least I now know where 'NOT' to go... I would not wish this on anyone...!!!

Disco Lady · 03-19-2009, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballyhu

I think outboards suck. I've had a bunch of outboard powered boats and I can't remember a single trip to the islands where something didn't break. Jmho.

freezorburn · 03-20-2009, 10:26 AM

20 years Fresh water

10-15 years Saltwater

publius · 09-17-2009, 05:58 PM

1988 grady w/'88 yamaha 200's. don't really know about hours but it is dry docked in Venice, LA and we go out probably 12 times/yr. sometimes 100mi. offshore, sometimes 40 miles running in the marsh. They don't get flushed with freshwater, picked up and put directly on the rack. replaced one powerhead at prob 500 hrs (water contamination). Still running great (consume more fuel than they used too). I would have repowered already if it was a single engine. probably about to repower just b/c things are bound to start happening.

emijess · 09-17-2009, 06:30 PM

yamaha f150 2005 twins 1700 hrs

03-09-2009, 02:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
DonK Grander Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boca Raton Boat: "the Fish-Tank", 1986 Rybo Runner Best Catch: 395# Broadbill Occupation: Restaurant software engineer, Mis-Boated 6-pack Capt. Posts: 1,024	Outboard Lifespan? This topic may have been broached previously, but I couldn't find it via keyword search. There are alot of opinions on the net, and a substantially wide variation on the opinions...so I wanted to see what SFC members think: How long should an outboard last? (hours) !! Obviously there are many, many factors which affect the answer, so I'll place the caveats as follows: -larger v-6/paired -2-strokers, EFI, computer oil mixing -normal southern use: around 100 hours/year, saltwater -good to very good maintenance: flush regularly, scheduled service -no tournament hammering...i.e. engines run within reasonable rpm ranges __________________ "thank God they are not as intelligent as we who kill them, although they are more noble...and able." -the old man Gunter glieben glauten globen

03-09-2009, 02:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
quack quack Old Salt Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: lake worth Best Catch: 25lb codfish 5 yrs old first hanger Posts: 6,219	A outboard motor no matter what brand,stroke,size or how maintained will all run the same amount of hours!!! They will last for as long as you want to keep repairing them!! LOL I know guys that have 3000hrs on outboards with very little done to them. I know guys with 250hrs on their 3rd power head and second lower unit. No abuse or miss use just the luck of the draw so to speak. But I think 1500hrs seems to be the avg life of most outboards. __________________ Amagansett means “place of good water” in one American Indian tongue, and for generations of Lesters who have lived here, it’s been true in the most literal way.

03-09-2009, 04:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
mneptune Grander Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Palm Beach Boat: Grady White 25' CC Posts: 1,763	From what I have seen, if all scheduled maintence is observed, they will usually go between 1000 to 1200 hours before a head rebuild. In the end, what matters most is how well you take care of them. Just my .02 __________________

03-09-2009, 04:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
miamiangler1 Grander Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: north miami, keystone point Boat: ,live bait ,deep dropping,swordfishing Best Catch: 7ft sailfish on 10#test with diawaBG20, 100#tarpon on 6#test baitcaster bass rod Occupation: selfemployed,real estate, painter,model builder Posts: 1,685	I dont know how many hours For sure on my outboard( Approx 2500 hours ) , 65hp, 1987 Suzuki, but I use it on the weekends Sat & Sunday Have never had any problems with it yet , gets flushed out after every use , yearly mant( lower unit oil and plugs) Cant kill the thing after 22years running ! My Mec, is wondering why my engine isnt beer cans yet Last edited by miamiangler1; 03-09-2009 at 04:49 PM..

03-10-2009, 05:59 AM	#8 (permalink)
Harry Klauber Grander Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Miami Best Catch: Blue Fin Tuna - 1049 Pounds Occupation: Retired USCG Unlimited HP Chief Engineer Posts: 1,089	The Yamaha and Honda 4 stroke engines (225-250 HP) are car engines turned on end. How long does your car's engine run without significant repair - in hours? Two things lower the life of an outboard. The first is normal RPM is about twice that of normal for your car thus twice the wear in the same amount of time. The second is they run in a salt air environment which doesn't hurt them that much when they are running as the salt is entrained in the most air. When you shut your engine down at the dock any air trappped within the engine eventually dries and leaves salt deposits. When you start up these salt crystals pass through your engine acting like an abrasive. If you are lucky/unlucky enough (as you see it) to trailer your boat you should always run the engines back at the house and get salt free air through them before any crystalization occurs. With normal maintenance, flushing out after each use, and fogging down after 2-3 trips 5000 - 6000 hours should be no problem. Of course there are those, like were written about, that give up after 250 hours and require powerheads. I believe those to be the exception and the 4 strokes can be expected to last alot longer than the old 2 strokes did. Harry Last edited by Harry Klauber; 03-10-2009 at 06:02 AM..

03-09-2009, 02:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
Brand H Hooked Up Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Jupiter, FL Boat: SeaVee Best Catch: my old lady Occupation: Fishery Biologist Posts: 236	Great topic! I wonder about this all of the time. I have 650 hours on mine and hope I can get that much more. From everything I read, QQ is pretty close. However, I think my comfort level would go down way before that. What I mean is, if I were making a long run say 50+ miles I would be hesitant before 1500. Not sure how much before 1500. That would have to do with any issues I had had with the engine prior and the overall condition.

03-09-2009, 10:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
GT Fish Hooked Up Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: J-Town Boat: 25 Competition Occupation: Buisness Owner Posts: 364	Hondas that the coast guard uses on there boats have seen 6000+hours on them!

03-10-2009, 07:48 AM	#9 (permalink)
Disco Lady Grander Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Miami, FL Boat: 37 Merritt Best Catch: (Blue Marlin)550 Lbs ST. Thomas (North Drop) Occupation: Charter Captain and Pimp! at night. Posts: 5,715	:toast

03-10-2009, 08:04 AM	#10 (permalink)
TTesterman Hooked Up Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 773	If your question was... a set of 2- stroke , oil injected , pair / set , properly maintained engines ... we used to get 1800 hrs on the 250 2 stroke yama 250's then it was time for a new set .. the old set seemed to only get another 500 hrs on them before failing .. as for 4 stroke yama 225's.. the engines were taken apart and timing gears and chain at 3,100 hrs still looked good engines still run good. if you figure that some people only run thier engines 150 hrs a year and some put 800 hrs a year .. sometimes the sitting and doing nothing takes it's toll more. I have to hand it to yamaha for the 225 four strokes they are good...

03-18-2009, 08:02 PM	#11 (permalink)
sharkslayer45 Hooked Up Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Fort Lauderdale Boat: Reel Stubborn, 221 mako cc Best Catch: blue marlin, sailfish, swordfish, tarpon, snook Occupation: contractor Posts: 145	my engine came with the boat new! 93 225hp yamaha, never had a hour meter on it but it takes me swordin on a regular basis! i have replaced everything but the powerhead, still good compression everytime we check it! __________________ www.ingramfence.com

03-19-2009, 08:12 AM	#13 (permalink)
Harry Klauber Grander Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Miami Best Catch: Blue Fin Tuna - 1049 Pounds Occupation: Retired USCG Unlimited HP Chief Engineer Posts: 1,089	And I have a pair of the same engines (later year) only they have 250 hours on them and my stbd engine's fuel pump just broke yesterday. There is always going to be those weird early breakdowns but the 5,000 hours that he has on the engine are actually to be expected. My problem is a warranty repair and it can happen to any engine. Harry

03-19-2009, 08:37 AM	#14 (permalink)
ballyhu Hooked Up Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Palm Beach Gardens Boat: 27' Custom "Sunchaser" Best Catch: Double slam on 8 kilo spin Occupation: Yacht Broker Posts: 485	I think outboards suck. I've had a bunch of outboard powered boats and I can't remember a single trip to the islands where something didn't break. Jmho.

03-19-2009, 09:16 AM	#15 (permalink)
Harry Klauber Grander Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Miami Best Catch: Blue Fin Tuna - 1049 Pounds Occupation: Retired USCG Unlimited HP Chief Engineer Posts: 1,089	Bill, I already agreed I'd take a single diesel over twin OB's any day but thay are better than they were years ago and serve their purpose - High HP with low weight allowing smaller boats to run really fast. Harry Last edited by Harry Klauber; 03-19-2009 at 09:17 AM.. Reason: Sign off

03-20-2009, 10:26 AM	#18 (permalink)
freezorburn Hooked Up Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New Jersey\Key Biscayne, FL Boat: "Norson" Custom Canaveral 28' Pilot House Best Catch: They where all the Best! Occupation: Programmer\Construction Work Posts: 412	20 years Fresh water 10-15 years Saltwater __________________ "The Sea Love Those Only Who Fear It"--KBYC-- Capt. Ken of the "NORSON"

09-17-2009, 05:58 PM	#19 (permalink)
publius Lines In Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 21	1988 grady w/'88 yamaha 200's. don't really know about hours but it is dry docked in Venice, LA and we go out probably 12 times/yr. sometimes 100mi. offshore, sometimes 40 miles running in the marsh. They don't get flushed with freshwater, picked up and put directly on the rack. replaced one powerhead at prob 500 hrs (water contamination). Still running great (consume more fuel than they used too). I would have repowered already if it was a single engine. probably about to repower just b/c things are bound to start happening.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

09-17-2009, 06:30 PM	#20 (permalink)
emijess Hooked Up Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 146	yamaha f150 2005 twins 1700 hrs

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