One of the most important things to know about a boat is the number of hours used. And also, it’s an essential deciding factor while buying or selling a boat. So, how many hours on a boat engine is a lot in general?
As a general rule, experts say that 1,500 hours on a boat is a lot. But actually, it differs a lot based on regular MAINTENANCE and USAGE. Regardless of the hours, a boat that is used around 30-100 hours each year and serviced annually would be a great pick than a boat used less or serviced rarely.
Regular usage and maintenance are the two essential things to check on a boat rather than the number of hours. The key thing to note here is low hours on a boat aren’t always good, and also, the high hours on a boat aren’t always bad.
Fewer hours on a boat in many years implies the owner didn’t take proper care or might have left it idle for years or used less in a long period, which isn’t good for a boat and could cause any problems in the future.
Similarly, higher hours on a boat in fewer years implies the owner has over-stressed the engine in a short period, which isn’t good for a boat and could cause any problems in the future.
So, averaging around 30-100 hours every year + an annual maintenance = good engine, and it’s perfectly fine regardless of the years used unless it is 15-20+ years. Check this very helpful video on the number of hours on boats in general and why it’s not always an important factor.
Is 500 hours on a boat a lot? 500 hours on a boat is not a lot. In fact, 500 hours is a sweet spot to buy/sell a boat. If the boat is used around 30-100 hours each year, a boat with 500-hours is a good pick because 30-100 hours each year imply the owner probably would have done annual maintenance; otherwise, the boat couldn’t get that long.
Is 750 hours on a boat a lot? 750 hours on a boat is not a lot. If the boat is used around 30-100 hours each year, a boat with 750-hours is a good pick because 30-100 hours each year imply the owner probably would have done annual maintenance; otherwise, the boat couldn’t get that long.
Related post – When Is The Best Time To Buy A Used Boat? Check this article to know the best time to buy a used boat to save some money, whether is it really worth the time or not?
How Many Hours On A Boat Is A Lot?
On average, 1,500 hours on a boat is a lot. But if they put that many hours on a boat and if the boat’s age is 5-10 years, it isn’t good because they might have overstressed the engine in a short period. Similarly, if the boat is over 20-25 years old, it isn’t good because it is too old.
And it’s good to look for a boat that is used every year. Every year usage implies they should have done annual maintenance; otherwise, it couldn’t get that long. Annual maintenance and usage will improve the boat engine’s life, and it’s good for the engine as well.
Related Post – How Much Does A Used Boat Cost? Check this article to know the average prices of 8 different boat models with 10 examples per model.
Too Many Hours On A Boat Aren’t Always Bad
I agree, too many hours on a boat is bad, but you need to look at the boat’s age as well because a 10-year-old boat with 750 hours, and a 10-year-old boat with 200 engine hours, the best pick would be the boat with higher engine hours (given that it’s been routinely serviced) every time.
A person who used their boat for that many years and if the boat averages around 30-100 hours per year, you can assume that the person who owned the boat had taken proper care of it over time by doing all the necessary annual services; otherwise, the boat couldn’t get that long.
However, you need to be cautious if you are buying a 2000+ boat or 15+ years boat because it is a too old boat (old technology) and can cause many problems with a boat at that age and hours unless you change the motor or if you do a major overhaul.
Put yourselves on a threshold while buying a boat. If it is used for around 150-200 hours each year, probably the engine is overstressed each year, and it could cause any problems in the future due to more usage.
Place Matters – Generally, boats from the southern United States, particularly from states like Florida, Texas, Arizona, and California, can be used all year long, so the number of hours on them might be greater. Similarly, boats from the northern United States will have a bit lower or normal numbers. So place also matters.
Is 1000 hours on a boat a lot? 1000 years on a boat is a lot, and at the same time not because a boat at that age could be in good condition because the owner could have probably serviced it annually; otherwise, it couldn’t last that long. But 1000 in less than 5 years implies the boat is perhaps overused, which isn’t always good.
Is 2000 hours on a boat a lot? 2000 years on a boat is a lot, and at the same time not because a boat at that age could be in good condition because the owner could have probably serviced it annually; otherwise, it couldn’t last that long. But 2000 in less than 10 years implies the boat is perhaps overused, which isn’t always good.
Low Hours On A Boat Aren’t Always Good
I agree, fewer hours on a boat is good, but you need to look at the boat’s age as well because a 3-year-old boat with 30 hours, and a 3-year-old boat with 200 engine hours, the best pick would be the boat with higher engine hours (given that it’s been routinely serviced) every time.
A person who used their boat for that many years and if the boat averages around 30-100 hours per year, you can assume that the person who owned the boat had taken proper care of it over time by doing all the necessary annual services; otherwise, the boat couldn’t get that long.
Put yourselves on a threshold while buying a boat. If it is used for less than 20-25 hours per year, the engine probably could have sat idle most of the year and could be rusted, or something could occur if the boat is used very little each year.
Is 100 hours on a boat a lot? 100 hours on a boat is not a lot. But it always doesn’t mean that the boat is healthy. If the boat is used around 30-100 hours each year, a boat with 100-hours is a good pick because 30-100 hours each year imply the owner probably would have done annual maintenance; otherwise, the boat couldn’t get that long.
Is 250 hours on a boat a lot? 250 hours on a boat is not a lot. If the boat is used around 30-100 hours each year, a boat with 250-hours is a good pick because 30-100 hours each year imply the owner probably would have done annual maintenance; otherwise, the boat couldn’t get that long.
The Real Factors To Consider Other Than Hours
As mentioned earlier, the number of hours used isn’t the only thing you need to look at while buying the boat. These are the 4 important things to look for.
1. Maintenance
Maintenance is the only strength that keeps anything working. However, you cannot simply look at the motor and tell whether it is good or bad. A mechanical inspection will tell you if they have any obvious issues right now and generally how well they have been maintained.
To reduce this risk, you can look for a motor that has been well cared for. Things like Service records, Computer printouts, and pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic are critical when evaluating a motor’s condition. By looking at all those things will give you clear insights about the engine.
Is 1200 hours on a boat a lot? 1200 years on a boat is a lot, and at the same time not because a boat at that age could be in good condition because the owner could have probably serviced it annually; otherwise, it couldn’t last that long. But 1200 in less than 6 years implies the boat is perhaps overused, which isn’t always good.
2. Usage
How well is the boat engine used? Don’t touch a motor with less than 25 hours per year (which implies low usage and probably the boat might have sat idle for a long time) and an upper threshold of 150-200 hours per year (which implies high usage and probably overstressed the engine).
Avoiding those numbers and going for a boat that is averaged 30-100 hours per year will be a good choice. Most importantly, 1000 hours at 5500 RPMs would be different from 1000 hrs at 3500 RPMs. Where it is used (saltwater or normal waters) also crucial.
Is 600 hours on a boat a lot? 600 hours on a boat is not a lot. If the boat is used around 30-100 hours each year, a boat with 600-hours is a good pick because 30-100 hours each year imply the owner probably would have done annual maintenance; otherwise, the boat couldn’t get that long.
3. Age
Age is another important factor to look at because if a boat averages 50 hours each year and used for 1000 hours implies it is 20 years old boat. A boat at that age generally wouldn’t be a good choice due to too old or old technology.
But a well-maintained boat and annually serviced boat is good regardless of the years, but if the age is going around 15-20+ years, it could or couldn’t be a good option. Generally, buying a used boat is a risk. At any time, the motor may stop working. That’s the risk with buying anything used.
Is 1100 hours on a boat a lot? 1100 years on a boat is a lot, and at the same time not because a boat at that age could be in good condition because the owner could have probably serviced it annually; otherwise, it couldn’t last that long. But 1100 in less than 6 years implies the boat is perhaps overused, which isn’t always good.
4. Engine Type
The engine type is also a crucial thing to look at because 2-stoke or 4-stroke engine OR gas or diesel engine makes a huge difference due to their respective advantages. Generally, 4-stroke has more advantages over a 2-stroke, and a diesel engine has more advantages over a gas engine.
Two-stroke outboard motors can reasonably live between 1,500 to 2,000 hours before needing major maintenance, and 4 stroke engines can last longer. The type of fuel used is also crucial. However, a diesel engine could be problematic in the US due to gas engines being dominant across the country than diesel engines.
Is 300 hours on a boat a lot? 300 hours on a boat is not a lot. If the boat is used around 30-100 hours each year, a boat with 300-hours is a good pick because 30-100 hours each year imply the owner probably would have done annual maintenance; otherwise, the boat couldn’t get that long.
The Key Takeaways
As a general rule, experts say that 1,500 hours on a boat is a lot. But actually, it differs a lot based on regular MAINTENANCE and USAGE. Regardless of the hours, a boat that is used around 30-100 hours each year and serviced annually would be a great pick than a boat used less or serviced rarely.
And it’s good to look for a boat that is used every year. Every year usage implies they should have done annual maintenance; otherwise, it couldn’t get that long. Annual maintenance and usage will improve the boat engine’s life, and it’s good for the engine as well.
When it comes to how many hours is too much, that’s a difficult thing to look at. But buying a regularly used and serviced motor is a better trade than buying a low-hour boat or others.
To reduce this risk, you can look for a motor that has been well cared for. Things like Service records, Computer printouts, and pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic are critical when evaluating a motor’s condition. By looking at all those things will give you clear insights about the engine.