Did you know that boat sales have reached a 13 year high? Everyone is realizing how fun it is to be out and about on the water. But choosing the right boat means selecting the right motor, and you need to know how to get it right.
Luckily, we are here to help. Read on for our guide on the must-know considerations when choosing a boat motor.
Your Boat Size
Knowing the boat size is vital when choosing a motor for a boat. Getting the wrong size can cause serious problems, and bigger is not always better.
Attach a large motor to a small boat and you can face overheating and burnt spark plugs. The extra power may also make the boat hard to control.
Get an outboard motor that is too small, and it will face overwork. It can cause safety issues, particularly if you run into problems on the water. You may also face trouble with the boat’s plane.
The Horsepower
When thinking about horsepower, you need to decide what you will actually be doing in the boat. How many passengers will you have on board, and what kind of cruising speed will you be traveling at?
Smaller boats, like canoes and sailboats, should only need around 10 horsepower for recreational boating if they are on small water bodies. For light boats that are slightly longer, this should increase to around 15-20 horsepower.
When you get into bigger boats, 300 horsepower is needed for fast, long-distance travel, though leisurely speeds can be achieved with horsepower as low as 75. Larger boats over 25 feet in length should opt for two outboard motors, both over 300 horsepower.
Four or Two Stroke Boat Motor?
Four and two-stroke motors both have their advantages and disadvantages. In a four-stroke, you have more parts such as intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust strokes. They can work using gas alone.
Two-stroke motors have fewer parts, making them lighter and easier to clean and repair. However, they need gas and oil to run and are generally less economical.
Choosing Fuel Injection
When choosing a boat motor, you have three choices of fuel injection. Each operates slightly differently. The first is a carburetor system, which has the worst fuel economy of the three.
The next is DFI and EFI systems. With DFI, fuel will be injected directly into the engine cylinders. EFI controls air and fuel flow using electronic methods.
Fuel Types
Finally, the fuel type must be decided. This comes down to diesel, petrol or an electric boat motor. In some cases, you can even get hybrid systems. This will really depend upon the specification of the boat you have purchased, though you may be able to change later should you wish.
If you want the motor to last, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Don’t mix fuels and stick to a decision once you have made it.
On the Waterfront
Once you have selected your boat motor, you are ready to get out on the water. Follow the state rules and make sure you have all the necessary licenses and permits. After this, make sure to enjoy yourself and relax.
If you enjoyed our article, then visit the rest of our blog. We have everything from mechanical advice to leisure ideas, to help you get the most of your downtime!
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