Part and parcel of owning an older boat is things break and you fix them. I don’t complain – rather I enjoy heading down to my local boat chandler to get a few new bits and pieces and then spending a few hours tinkering around replacing “stuff”

However – when the big noisy thing on the back starts making funny noises… or worse still, no noise at all. You have to ask the question, do I keep forking out money to get it repaired or do I buy a new one. Weigh in the fact the engine is 27 years old.

For quiet a while it was the former – a quick trip to my local marine mechanic and we were back under way, however now the scales have tipped to the point where I don’t feel comfortable going outside the heads AND it is always a thought at the back of my head; Will today be the day it goes bang? It is starting to cost me more than it is worth in time, money and stress.

Still, there is another option which has to be brought into the equation – trading up. Whilst it is not a brand new boat – it is certainly a great option for some. Considering you might want something bigger or the boat you have now doesn’t quite fit your needs anymore and something else would be far more suitable… And it would still be a new boat for me.

For me it was going to be a big out lay to trade up to another boat which to be honest i just didn’t see the benefit in doing.

My boat is a 1985 model Cruise Craft explorer 570 I have affectionately named “The Office”. The boat is in fantasitic condition, let alone the fact it is 27 years old so it is a prime candidate for re-powering, namely because it still meets all my needs (and will do for at least the next 5 years) and I feel it is the most cost effective option available. I have been saying for years the only reason I would get rid of her is to get something bigger so a new motor for the ole girl seems like the most sensible thing to do.

So it was into the endless stream of information on outboards. Endless fact and opinions on who makes the best outboard, the fastest, the quietest, the most economical, the best for the environment… and then there is what will actually go on the back of the boat 😉

Weight is a concern for me… to go to a 4 stroke is going to be an extra 50kg hanging of the stern. Most older boats seem to be horse power rated, there is no weight rating on the compliance plate of my boat. Regardless… an extra 50kg is hard not to be nervous about breaching design specs.

In the end I chose the Evinrude 175hp ETEC, it is lighter than the 4 strokes, it is 3 star compliant with the toughest carbon emissions rules in the world and I have had a Johnson/Evinrude on the back of every boat I have had so far (with the exception of a 2hp Marina – which I still have for sentimental reasons, it was my first outboard) – so maybe there is a bit of brand loyalty in there as well?!?

Safe Trailer Boat Fishing,
Hillboy