[gahooligan]

Read in another post and I have heard it from my brother-in-law who is really into boats that an engines life is only about 1000-1500 hrs in a boat. That seems like a Really Short lifespan. I am curious to hear opinions and expert opinions on why boat engines only last this long before needing a rebuild. I understand the WOT aspect but you don't run it wot very long periods and it's not like these things are built racing engines only made to last a race either. Not doubting the lifespan just curious why there wear out so fast. Anyone have a formula for boat hours=car mileage? This ought to be an interesting conversation. But hey it's getting colder and we need boat stuff to talk about!

[Oregondunes]

if the props are turning the motor is under full load (or darn near it) no matter the engine speed. its not like a car where you can throttle back to near zero vacuum and almost coast for the best fuel economy.

[mikeyt]

Originally Posted by Oregondunes

if the props are turning the motor is under full load (or darn near it) no matter the engine speed. its not like a car where you can throttle back to near zero vacuum and almost coast for the best fuel economy.

Agreed. Boat engines work hard all of the time and they dont live in the best of environments thus wear faster. But the other side to that equation is time. It generally takes a few years before you can rack up 1000 hrs (I've had mine for 6 yrs and still have less than 250 on it) so if you can get 10-15 yrs then its likely fairly close to a car engine lasting 10-15 yrs before it needs some significant work too.

[gahooligan]

Very good points. I never even considered the fact that a boat doesn't exactly Coast like a car can...

[vman]

It takes alot to turn props in the water and move 3500 plus pounds considering the fact water is like a wall. But my talari that I had was a 1995 and had 198 hrs on it and was in pristine shape. Still had original plugs in it. If you maintain it you should get alot of years out of it

[finleydj]

Curious, post your boat and hours, let's see who has the most! Mine is still a baby, 1995 220 Talari with only 201 hours.

[Oregondunes]

Originally Posted by finleydj

Curious, post your boat and hours, let's see who has the most! Mine is still a baby, 1995 220 Talari with only 201 hours.

2000 Z302, clock says 455 hrs, but the motor/outdrive has like 2 on it now.

[lumbercitybravest]

I dont have an hour meter on my 95 Davanti, but the guy I bought it from spent more time cleaning it than on plane....and the guy he bought it from (original owner) used it on Seneca Lake at his vacation home...So Im assuming under 300-400 for sure.

[johnnymo]

On a normal production engine with proper maintenance and under normal driving conditions look at having the cylinder heads done around 600 to 1000 hrs. Then from say 1000 hrs to 1600 hrs most likey the bottom end will need attention. 4 bangers will never last that long. V- 6 motors will be somewhere in between.

The most important things is proper timely maintenance and proper storage for longevity. Proper cooling temps at all times is very important for any motor. Next to help longevity of any motor is a motor oil pre lube system before start up as it will prime the internal engine parts of motor oil before engine start up. This alone greatly reduces engine wear at start up since boats sit for longer periods of time.

In my area 25 to 80 hrs per year is the normal driving time for boat owners. That's it for most DFW boaters. Too hot and not enough water in the lakes year after year to even want to go boating. Getting old here.

[gahooligan]

Mine is a 99 Shabah 202 with a 5.7 and about 237 on the clock now. I've put 20 hrs on it since I bought it the weekend after the 4th of July. We've been out almost every weekend since with the exception of a few and sometimes both Sat and Sunday... I think due to fuel consumption (read Money) we will be picking only one day a weekend next year... lol.