Repower a boat vs getting newer model

[Dan_the_fisher]

I have a 93 stratos 201 pro xl with a 200 evinrude xp on it, motor has been nothing but probs and has ruined quite a few fishing trips(one thing after another). I see rebuilt 225-250 optimaxs going on eBay from 8500-9500. would it be worth to report the old boat and sell the evinrude? Or would I be better off to sell my boat, and buy a newer model boat with a good motor on it already? Thanks 

[sprint61]

If your hull is in good shape and structurally sound I would repower. A used boat in that price range could have as many problems or more than you are right now and it would be back to ground zero. 

[Further North]

For me I'd make the decision based on how much I like the boat, and what the economics look like.

If I were to blow the motor on my current boat, I'd  re-power it a heartbeat - I love the size, the layout and how it works for me, and I can re-rig with a brand new motor for less than $15K, where a new boat is going to push $40K.  I could look around for another used rig, but that would at best split the difference and the odds of finding another boat that wouldn't compromise something are not good...especially if it was mid-season and I wanted to get back on the water.

I think I'd also use the opportunity to jump up to a 150 instead of the 140 I have now.

[livemusic]

I was going to start a thread on this very subject, but it was about buying a used boat hull/trailer and adding a new motor and new troll motor. Since those are the two main trouble spots for reliability. I was wondering how much a new motor would cost, say, a 115 to a 150hp. Probably a 4-stroke.

[Dan_the_fisher]

I mean my boat would bring 5500-7k right now, the motor is gonna be lets say 9k plus all the other stuff that I have to buy to get it running. So selling my old motor for about $2500 that would be at roughly $13k. I can find a 7-10 year old 20' boat (tr20, 201 pro, zx225) with a 225 fuel injected on it for what looks like $20-24k. So in my math it's gonna cost me $7-10 thousand more  to have a newer boat and all when it's said and done. I just wondered how you guys added up the costs of everything, then weighed out what decision to make.

[Western-Mass-Bass]

Im currently in a situation like this myself. My boat was used on a restricted hp lake. (25hp) And it is extremely under powered now for the water I choose to fish. For me though it will not be as expensive because Im considering a 60-75hp outboard.  But I love my boat enough to believe this will be the better route to re-power it.  Good topic 

[Further North]

lIvemusic, I have found that I could replace my Johnson branded Suzuki DF140 for around $11 - $12K

A Suzuki DF150 would be a little more, and a Yamaha F150 a bit more than that, plus replacing the controls.

[livemusic]

8 hours ago, Further North said:

lIvemusic, I have found that I could replace my Johnson branded Suzuki DF140 for around $11 - $12K

A Suzuki DF150 would be a little more, and a Yamaha F150 a bit more than that, plus replacing the controls.

Where do you buy a new motor, what type of 'store?' Where would you get it rigged out?

[Further North]

Boat dealer/marina for me on both.

Someone who was had more time or interest...and the right equipment...could do it themselves.  It's not complicated, but it's got to be done right.

[WIGuide]

It really depends on how much you like the boat and how long you plan to keep it. If it's in good shape and you plan to keep it for a long time then it's a viable option. If you can see yourself getting something different in a few years, then personally I wouldn't. You spend 8-10k on a newer motor but you will NEVER get that back out of it. Your boat will be worth a little more with a newer motor, but nowhere even close to what you put in it. When it all comes down to it, it's really whatever option you feel works best for you and your financial situation.