115 - 225 Four Stroke Outboard's Typical Life Expectancy Hours?

[Pseudomind]

I have read discussions about Diesels and gas engine hour life expectancy ratings here, but nothing that I can recall about outboards typical Life expectancy hours. As much as I hate to admit it, but my life items have changed and I am looking for a good condition Hurricane SunDeck in the 19 - 21 foot range. I have found in south Florida with a few, but they have 900 - 1000 hours on them. So it has me curious about life board engine hours. I am saying this with this caveat engines have had some semblance of routine maintenance and have not been run a lot at WOT.

I am only interested in the four stroke outboards as I plan on getting a fiberglass sun deck boat as you can typically find the sun deck with a walk through windshield, which is another requirement I have besides it being an outboard.

Thanks

 

[Xplicitlnck]

I hear a properly maintained Yamaha outboard will run forever. Just what I hear tho

 

[fwebster]

They are like any other boat motor……they last a long time provided they are properly maintained. Generally, however, 1000 hours is considered a very high time engine in salt water since most die of water ingestion, over heat or corrosion issues before then.

The USCG had a small boat in the shop here last week…..2 225hp Honda 4 strokes, 150 hours, and one needed a new power head due to water ingestion. We also have a commercial fisherman who is very popular and runs charters nearly every day. He has a single 4 stroke Mercury on a 24 ft center console and he is having his second power head installed right now, but he has 6500 hours total on the engines and this power head has 4000 hours on it. He does have the engine serviced religiously at the local dealer every 50 hours.

I think your challenge with high time boats may be finding one that has a verifiable service history. If the seller can't/won't provide that for a buyer of a 1000 hour outboard, then he probably has some reason for selling the boat.

 

[Carver370]

I have 1455 hours on a 2004 115 Yamaha 4-stroke. The motor runs silent still, has been used exclusively in salt water so far, and makes all he power it should.

Before I purchased it I had them run the Yamaha diagnostics on the motor and it showed 75% of the total run time to be under 3800 rpm which gave me piece of mind. I also did a compression check which was showing good numbers across the board in factory spec. Upon taking delivery I did a full tune up, had the valves checked and retorqued, replaced the VST filter, installed new thermostat, water pump, plugs, fluid changes, and a fuel pump rebuild as piece of mind to know where I'm at. I am extremely happy with the Yamaha, I can't say I have had the same happiness with any Merc I have owned.

 

[Bucit]

I agree, a 1000 hours on an outboard is alot but doesn't mean it won't run for another 1000. Really depends on how it was taken care of. Compression check and such is a good place to start.

 

[Pseudomind]

Thanks Frank and all the rest who have replied.

 

[JVM225]

Tough to predict the longevity of any used motor that isn't your own. People run and maintain their motors differently.
If I had a choice, I would look for a boat with a tired motor, get it for less money, and buy a brand new motor so you can start fresh.