How to measure "hours"

[jadunbar]

Okay, maybe a dumb question. I know what high mileage means on a car but how many hours are high on a boat? What is the average life of a motor in hours?

 

[Glen S]

For gasoline inboards all the people I talk to seem to agree on around 2000 hrs is the typical life. In our area the average is about 50 hrs / year.

 

[Uplate]

Certainly depends on maintainence. We see rental houseboats with genearators at 4000 hours on gensets. I have seen gas engines with hours as high as 1600 and still going strong.
Local Rumours report 3000+ hours on well maintained gas engines, but I cannot confirm from owners of such.

My 98 just turned 500 hours last week. Changed oil and filters and movin on. My Westerbeke just turned 200 hours, and a needed a major tune up and governor dialed in as it was hunting bad. Swinging between 80V and 140V! that could crap out some electronics for sure.

I plan on using my genset much more this season now that it has stable voltage.

 

[Iprof]

I agree it is going to depend on how hard you drive it and how well you maintain it. I use the hour meter for maintenance on my boat only only. I have almost 1000 hours on my gas engines and the compression is good, they don't burn oil and run great.
The top speed on my boat is 38 miles an hour WOT if it was driven at that speed for the 1000 hours I have 38000 miles on the boat but if all the hours where at hull speed 7 miles an hour then I only have 7000 miles on her. That's not a lot of miles and if this was a car at 7000 miles I would be saying just nicely broken in but on a boat some people think they are almost done. I don't think they are close to being done, the records of maintenance on this boat since new shows it has been looked after. I will be doing another 6 week trip this summer on the boat same as last year did 650 miles and averaged 7.5 miles an hour. Lots of hours at a slow speed, a great way to travel but we did make a run from Killarney to Alexander Passage at 28 mph (55 mile run).

Ken

 

[Presentation]

OK People, I’m going to post it assuming the original poster does not know who David Pascoe is.

Jadunbar, my short answer is a gas engine with proper care and maintenance will last on average 1,500 hours before needing a replacement or rebuild and think hard and long before going the rebuild route, it may be the more expensive option. You can find some that go far less and some that go far more just like some people live to 100+ and others fall over dead in their 30’s or sooner.

If you would like to learn more, there is a person named David Pascoe. He has a article on the subject, well, three articles.

Before you just go to his article, a warning / disclaimer is in order. David Pascoe is considered harsh / negative / and self promoting.

Although I admit there is some truth to these accusations I ask you to look at the alternatives.

Pick up a boating magazine, any boating magazine and read a boat review. They are all fluff. Under pro’s and con’s you will read con’s like “this boat has so much storage that you will need to buy stuff just to fill it all up.” Oppostie the review is a ad for the boat.

See, the magazine gets advertising from the boat builder and they are afraid if they are harsh in their review they will lose revenue.

David Pascoe does not have to worry about that. He already has pissed off every major boat builder, including Sea Ray, so he does not have to concern himself with ever getting a penny from them.

My suggestion is to take the time to read his articles, at least his free ones, read some opposing views then form your own opinion.

Oh, here are the links:

#1) http://www.yachtsurvey.com/GasDiesel.htm
#2) http://www.yachtsurvey.com/GasNdiesel.htm
#3) http://www.yachtsurvey.com/Overhauls!!.htm

 

[tollycraft]

Okay, maybe a dumb question. I know what high mileage means on a car but how many hours are high on a boat? What is the average life of a motor in hours?

I put 2400 hrs on my Tollycraft (twin 318 gas engines) and it was still running strong when I sold it. I still see the boat often to this day and it's still going strong. My dock neighbour had a 5.7 in his 25 ft Sea Ray and he had about 2200 hrs and the boat still ran like a top. Not sure if this helps but good consistant basic maintainance will. All in all, I think 2000 hours is a fair number, IMHO.

 

[tdappleman]

Regular maintenance and quality parts (fluids,filters,gas,etc) will all be factors. The 2000 hour mark seems to be what most people agree with. Mine have 620 hours and run like great - the only thing I see is a slight oil leak (maybe 10 drops on a complete day of running) from the front seal behind the crank. Not enough to even lower the oil level on the dipstick between oil changes - neither engine ever needs to have oil added through the season.

 

[Summer Fun II]

David Pascoe is considered harsh / negative / and self promoting.

Thats a understatement !!!. :smt043

I use to read his articles until his head got to big !!!. :smt021
If I had listened to him I'd never have a boat. :grin:

I have 1600hrs on my girls and they're still going strong. :smt038

 

[Iprof]

OK People, I’m going to post it assuming the original poster does not know who David Pascoe is.

Jadunbar, my short answer is a gas engine with proper care and maintenance will last on average 1,500 hours before needing a replacement or rebuild and think hard and long before going the rebuild route, it may be the more expensive option. You can find some that go far less and some that go far more just like some people live to 100+ and others fall over dead in their 30’s or sooner.

If you would like to learn more, there is a person named David Pascoe. He has a article on the subject, well, three articles.

Before you just go to his article, a warning / disclaimer is in order. David Pascoe is considered harsh / negative / and self promoting.

Although I admit there is some truth to these accusations I ask you to look at the alternatives.

Pick up a boating magazine, any boating magazine and read a boat review. They are all fluff. Under pro’s and con’s you will read con’s like “this boat has so much storage that you will need to buy stuff just to fill it all up.” Oppostie the review is a ad for the boat.

See, the magazine gets advertising from the boat builder and they are afraid if they are harsh in their review they will lose revenue.

David Pascoe does not have to worry about that. He already has pissed off every major boat builder, including Sea Ray, so he does not have to concern himself with ever getting a penny from them.

My suggestion is to take the time to read his articles, at least his free ones, read some opposing views then form your own opinion.

Oh, here are the links:

#1) http://www.yachtsurvey.com/GasDiesel.htm
#2) http://www.yachtsurvey.com/GasNdiesel.htm
#3) http://www.yachtsurvey.com/Overhauls!!.htm

His first article makes perfect sense, never read him before but I have been preaching that for years.

Ken

 

[aquaskiman]

I have seen inboard ski boats like master crafts with over 4000 hrs on them and still running strong. I have an Infinity inboard with 2500 hrs on it and it runs as good as the day it was built. I think ski boats are used harder that cursers so I think 3000hrs on a well maintained engine should be normal. My Weekender has only 600 hrs on it runs like new.

 

[desperado]

to me a selling point on a boat is not necessarily low hours. that can actually be a bad thing. It's touted as being the end all in used boats, but a captain who uses and takes care of his engine(s) has probably taken care of his/her boat.

How many times have you seen 2005 Sea Ray "whatever" ONLY 60 hours!!!!!!!!!!! no thank you.... these engines are built to be run. NOt to mention that signals a potential lack of interest in the boat itself from owner.

JL