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Buying Guide
3
Options When Buying a Used Outboard:
1. Private Sale
(high
risk)
- you
have absolutely no idea the true condition of the motor. You are
essentially gambling your money on the word of a complete
stranger.
YOU are responsible for getting the motor tuned up to a point where it
is reliable. This is
expensive, time-consuming, and very frustrating.
2. Another Shop (high risk) - where 99% of shops
are simply 'flipping' used motors. They
receive an old motor and send it out the door as long
as it starts and runs on a garden hose in the driveway. YOU are
responsible for the costs of tuning up the motor. There are
numerous unscrupulous shops out there doing this and selling these
motors without any service history for more than Riverside Outboards!
3. Riverside
Outboards (Safest Option) - your motor is
demonstrated working properly
and has gone through an extenstive tune up and testing process.
The only
way to truly test a motor is by installing it on a boat and/or running
it under load. This is what I do prior to selling motors.
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How
The Repair Process Works at
Riverside Outboards
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System
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Type
of Repair
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Description
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Mechanical
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Recondition/Refurbish
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Functional
test: general function of the motor not related to running performance
such as the swivel bracket, tiller arm, stern bracket, and motor mounts.
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Fuel
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Refurbish
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Pump,
lines, carburetor(s)
cleaned, filters replaced as needed, injectors checked for pairing with
EMM, cleaned if necessary with new seal kits & filters.
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Cooling
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Refurbish
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Impeller
& thermostat replaced as needed, digital thermometer evaluation
for proper function (supercedes original OEM evaluations) UNDER LOAD
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Ignition
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Recondition/Refurbish
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Spark
gap strength
evaluated, components replaced as necessary (CDI &
Magneto systems), remote wiring harness replaced as needed. Read
EMM and fault code history on engine. Resolve any current faults.
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Gearcase
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Recondition/Refurbish
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LOAD
and BOAT tested as needed,
seals tested & replaced, new oil, smaller gearcases are rebuilt
with gears & bearings visually inspected. Prop is load tested
for spun hubs then reconditioned & repainted.
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Powerhead
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Recondition/Refurbish
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Compression
test, intake manifold, leaf plates, cranks/rods/bearings,
intake/exhaust bypass, head gaskets, thermostat gaskets examined,
replaced.
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Cosmetic
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Recondition/Refurbish
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Most
motors are repainted with
Moeller marine paint that resists oil & gasoline exposure, and are
in OEM colors. This generally includes
3-4 coats of paint & 2-3 coats of clear. New stickers
or preserved original graphics. Reproduction decals available for
an additional $110.00.
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Performance
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Recondition/Refurbish
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Fuel
& Ignition systems syncronized for best economy & idling;
motors run under typical conditions to evaluate real-world
performance. Boat installations have tachometer evaluations for
prop size recommendations based on conversations with customer.
Please be prepaired to have conversations about this. Incorrect
prop selection leads to premature motor failure. TPS recalibrated.
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Motors
aren't made available until I feel comfortable using them personally. |
There
are absolutely no warrantees on a used motor - there is
no such thing. I provide a 30-day no-hassle offer after motors
are sold. Click here to read how this works.
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How
To Buy From Riverside Outboard |
- Find out the maximum horsepower
(HP) rating for your boat, including the depth of the transom.
- Review the types of motors and
costs on the for sale page.
- Call in your order, 603-210-5095
to place a deposit and hold a motor.
- Ask
any questions to be sure you are selecting the correct motor based on
where and how you intend to use your boat. Generally we will have
a conversation or two prior to you placing an order to help insure it
is a good fit to work together and you are buying a motor that is a
good fit for your boat and expectations.
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Why
Buy From Riverside Outboards? |
- You
get to buy a motor that you know what has been done to it and it's
current status.
- 2-stroke
motors weigh 30-50% less than 4-stroke motors
- 2-stroke
motors have more power per cycle, and many less moving parts
- The
cost of a used outboard is about 75% less than a new outboard
- Replacing components generally
costs less on used outboards
- 2-stroke motors run, and run, and
run with appropriate normal
maintenence
- 4-STROKE
MOTORS ARE EXPENSIVE TO FIX & MAINTAIN, and less durable than
2-stroke motors.
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Reconditioned
Outboard Sales include: |
- Demonstrated working
properly at all throttle
ranges.
- Orientation &
Introduction of How to Start and Operate the Motor Properly
- Instructions on
Proper Maintenence
- Sales Contract with
plain verbiage (must
be completed before final
sale)
- Operators Manual
(free download)
- Questions answered as
needed
- 30-day free tune ups
if needed* (click for exclusions). This
is NOT a warrantee, there is no such thing as a warrantee on a used
outboard.
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What
Riverside
Outboards
Does |
- DOES NOT "flip" motors.
- Specializes in ETEC, Evinrude,
& Johnson
outboards, and provides general service for all brands.
- Sells reconditioned 2-stroke
motors, offers winterization for all brands, shrinkwrap & storage
of vessels.
- Expects you to read the owners
manual and guides for the motor you purchase, & use appropriate
care.
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Does The Year Of The Engine Matter?
No, the condition is what matters.
Outboard motors are not
the same as cars or trucks. Automobiles are generally used
everyday; outboard motors are used, in many instances, for 10-20 hours
annually. Most motors are tested during their design stages
to withstand up to 1,000 hours of continuous running at wide open
throttle (as fast as possible, high RPM, high stress).
The condition of the powerhead and gearcase are most important; the
other systems (cooling, fuel, ignition) are all perishable and will
need to be serviced and renewed at regular intervals as part of the
normal maintenence schedule.
Unlike
the majority of used motor sellers, engines sold by Riverside
Outboards LLC have already had all the necessary
servicework performed, and the powerhead and gearcase are thoroughly
evaluated to be functioning properly.
In most cases the price to
buy a reconditioned motor from Riverside Outboards is less than motors
sold by 'flippers' who haven't even serviced the engine at all!
Don't worry as much about
the year, pay attention to the condition!
New Buyer's
Quiz
If you're new to
boats, it's important you understand what you're doing before you buy a
motor. Owning
a boat and a motor require basic skills for safe operation for
both you and your passengers. If you're willing to learn, being
able to safely boat can open up an entirely new world to you for
exploring waterways, fishing, and seeing things most others never
will. I strongly recommend reading and understanding the
following information if you've never owned a motor or boat
before. There are some people who frankly, don't belong in boats
or anywhere near motors, just like some people shouldn't ride a
motorcycle, or snowmobile, or skydive. Sailers don't necessarily
know anything about motor operation. Boating isn't like hopping
in your car and turning the key, there is more to it than that.
There are plenty of bad operators who drive a car for years, even after
passing driver's
education and getting their state license!
When you leave shore in a vessel, you're for the most part on your
own. And if you are using a motor 25hp or below (for most
states), you don't even need a boater's license! So please make
sure you are ready to commit to learning how to use a boat, and more
importantly, how to operate an outboard motor safely. It's
that much more important to make sure you know what you're doing ahead
of time. I highly recommend
taking a safe boaters course
available through your local state licensing agency
(most states
require this for motors above 25hp anyway, even though it is rarely
enforced). I also recommend purchasing a membership to SeaTow
(basically the AAA of the waterways) if you plan on going out on larger
water bodies. Towing costs are obscene, to say the least, if you
ever get stranded, run out of gas, etc.
1. In a
carbureted 2-stroke motor, you should use clean straight gas to run it.
a. True
b. False
2. The Starboard side of a boat is the
equivalent of the ___________ side.
a. Right
b. Left
c. front
d. rear
3. When shifting, you should move the
shift lever ___________
a.
slowly, to prevent undue gear wear
b. quickly, to prevent undue gear wear
4. A motor choke does what?
a.
richens air input, leans out fuel mixture
b. reduces air input, leans out fuel
mixture
c. richens air input, richens fuel
mixture
d. reduces air input, richens air fuel
mixture
5. When transporting an outboard off
your boat, you should lie it down
a. on
the tiller side
b. on the shifter side
c. on the control panel side
d. on the back/prop side
Quiz Answers: B,
A, B, D, D. These are very basic questions, if you have any
incorrect, please read the education section and the operator's manuals
I include for free on this website!
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603-210-5095 SHIPPING
MOTORS NOT AVAILABLE. ©2025
Riverside
Outboards
LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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