{"id":12911,"date":"2022-04-05T10:34:57","date_gmt":"2022-04-05T09:34:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coxmarine.com\/?p=12911"},"modified":"2025-07-03T14:21:01","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T13:21:01","slug":"outboard-motors-your-questions-answered","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coxmarine.com\/apac\/blog\/outboard-motors-your-questions-answered\/","title":{"rendered":"Outboard Motors: Your Questions Answered"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">If you\u2019re a keen boater, then you\u2019ll know that outboard motors are one of the most popular boat propulsion systems in the world. However, the ins and outs of their functionality remains a source of confusion for some.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">If you\u2019re brimming with questions, then you\u2019ve come to the right place. We\u2019re here to answer the most common questions about outboard motors, and show you why these incredible inventions are worth the investment. <\/span><\/p>\r\n<h5><strong>Why outboard motors are so expensive?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Outboard motors are so costly because they are extremely sophisticated bits of kit.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">There are two kinds of outboard motor &#8211; those with an internal combustion <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/coxmarine.com\/engine-cxo300\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">engine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> and those with a battery-powered electric motor. The engines themselves can range from small 2 or 3 horsepower units up to larger 5, 6 and 7 horsepower models. Some even go as high as 10 horsepower!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">If you were to buy a four-horsepower model, it would come with four of each component. This list is endless, but it includes parts such as ignition coils, gaskets, fuel cleaners, air filters, and more. If you add up all the parts, it\u2019s a lot of stuff. So, the bigger your outboard motor, the more costly it will be.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h5><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>How does an outboard work?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">An outboard motor has three major parts: the engine, the transmission, and the propeller. When you turn the key, the ignition switch sends a signal to the starter motor, which starts the engine. The starter motor will then rotate the crankshaft until it turns the camshaft.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">The camshaft also works with the valve lifters to open the exhaust valves, warm the engine, and make it run faster. These self-contained units sit at the stern of a boat, and essentially, their <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/coxmarine.com\/engineering\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">engineering<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> is very similar to most vehicles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h5><strong>How big an outboard do I need?<\/strong><\/h5>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Small outboards are usually under 20 horsepower, while large ones can reach around 40. The size you select will depend on the sort of performance you\u2019re after.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">If you prefer a smooth, calm sailing experience, you\u2019ll need an outboard of around 6hp. If you want to go a bit faster or waterski, we recommend somewhere between 18-25hp.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h5><strong>What outboard motor is the best?<\/strong><\/h5>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">There\u2019s no hard and fast answer to this question. However, there are a few outboard motors that have made big names for themselves in recent years. Here are a few of the most popular, dependable outboard motors for sale that we\u2019ve discovered:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Evinrude E-TEC G2 150<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Suzuki DF350A<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Honda 105 Jet<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Yamaha F250<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Evoy 150<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">However, we have to be biased and promote <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/coxmarine.com\/engine-cxo300\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">our very own CXO300<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">, the pioneer of a new generation of diesel engines. If you\u2019re interested in our outboard motor, ou can <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/coxmarine.com\/demo\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">book a demonstration here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h5><strong>How do you drive a boat with an outboard motor?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">If you\u2019re used to a steering wheel, driving a boat with an outboard motor may be a huge change. Let\u2019s run you through the key things you need to consider when driving a boat with an outboard motor:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><strong>Prime and adjust<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">First off, you\u2019ll need to push the primer button to start the motor. The number of times you have to press this will depend on the type of motor you have. Pressing your primer button too many times may flood the engine, so be careful.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Now, pull the start cord a few times to spur your engine into action. If the engine doesn\u2019t start, we recommend opening up the choke and pulling the cord a few more times.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><strong>Set the motor in the right direction<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">If your motor has a lever to switch between directions, make sure it\u2019s set in the right direction. Of course, this will always be facing away from the dock.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><strong>Start accelerating<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">To start accelerating, you\u2019ll need to twist the handle positioned at the end of the tiller. This will allow you to accelerate and decelerate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><strong>Steer<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Now, it&#8217;s time to steer your boat. You can do this by using the tiller. On most outboard motors, you\u2019ll have to push and pull the tiller to steer you in the right direction.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h5><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How many hours will an outboard motor last?<\/span><\/h5>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">The average outboard motor will last an estimated 1,500 hours. Depending on how often you use your outboard motor, this could last you anywhere between five and ten years!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Of course, the longevity of your outboard motor will also depend on how well you maintain it. Here are some general tips and tricks for maintaining your outboard motor:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><strong>Fuel connections<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">You\u2019ll need to inspect your fuel line regularly to assess for damage. Look out for things like faulty fuel connections and leaky lines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><strong>Hose clamps<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Keep an eye on your hose clamps, and look out for things like corrosion and damage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><strong>Fuel tank<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Assess your fuel tank regularly. Check things such as tank ventilation, water in your fuel, and other internal or external damage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><strong>Lubrication<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Ensure you lubricate all of the moveable parts of your outboard motor, and all appropriate parts of your steering system. Ideally, this should be done every year or every 100 hours (whichever comes first).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><strong>Water pump impeller<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">After 300 hours of use, you should be replacing your water pump impeller. If you use your outboard motor in sandy conditions, you may need to replace this more frequently.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h5><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What RPM should you run your outboard?\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Most manufacturers will recommend a specific RPM for each outboard model.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">However, the average RPM for most outboards is between 3400 to 3800. This will often achieve the best speeds for cruising. If you\u2019re unsure what RPM to run your outboard at, consult your manufacturer for advice.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h5><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why are outboards so popular today?<\/span><\/h5>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">The rising popularity of outboards can be attributed to several factors, including:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Improved Performance: Outboards can be trimmed. This improves <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/coxmarine.com\/performance\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">performance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">, especially in shallower environments.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">More Features: Outboards also seem to have more features than other propulsion systems. These features can include joystick steering and even autopilot.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Digital Throttles: Some outboards even feature digital throttles. Many of these can control up to four engines from one interface.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h5><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Final thoughts<\/span><\/h5>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Outboard motors are lightweight, affordable, and pack a real punch. They also offer a better power to weight ratio than their inboard counterparts. If you\u2019re considering adding an outboard motor to your boat, what are you waiting for? If you have any more questions, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/coxmarine.com\/frequently-asked-questions\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">visit our FAQ page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/coxmarine.com\/contact\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">get in touch with our experts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>British diesel outboard innovator, Cox Powertrain has announced that its game-changing diesel outboard, the CXO300, has been chosen as a winner in Boating Industry\u2019s 2021 Top Products programme. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":230,"featured_media":12913,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12911","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coxmarine.com\/apac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12911","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/coxmarine.com\/apac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/coxmarine.com\/apac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coxmarine.com\/apac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/230"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coxmarine.com\/apac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12911"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/coxmarine.com\/apac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12911\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24003,"href":"https:\/\/coxmarine.com\/apac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12911\/revisions\/24003"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coxmarine.com\/apac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12913"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coxmarine.com\/apac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12911"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coxmarine.com\/apac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12911"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coxmarine.com\/apac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12911"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}