What you need to know about buying an outboard

10:04 PM Mon 11 May 2009 GMT

'The dinghy and outboard - your vital connection' .

Unless you are one of those purists (observable along the coasts of most sailing nations) who row their dinghies between shore and sailing boat, then the acquisition of an outboard a must for every yacht owner. Buying a new outboard requires a considerable financial commitment, and you want to get the most value by taking advantage of every promotion, sale, deal, rebate or warranty-anything that can ultimately save you money.

Maximum Value:

In your quest to find the best deal, the lowest price doesn't necessarily equate to the best value. For example, if your local dealer's pricing is a tad higher than that of some geographically distant company's, it's probably better value to spend a little more with the dealer who will be there to service the outboard and help you if you need it.

Another point to consider is the long-term costs of owning an outboard; things like:

** Longevity
** Customer satisfaction ratings
** The service and maintenance charges
** Fuel economy, and
** Potential resale value .

These all factor into the equation, so look beyond the price tag and down the road a ways to keep things in perspective.

Shop 'Til You Drop

Yamaha - browse for deals and research the manufacturers’ websites - .. .

Do your due diligence; shop around. Research the manufacturers' web sites to see what they're willing to do to get your business. Compare incentives on the outboards in which you're interested, and try to be open-minded when you're shopping.

For instance, if you're looking for an 8hp outboard, but a 12 or 15 hp is available for the same or less money (and the engine is compatible with your dinghy), then you might consider something slightly different than what you thought you wanted.

It is worth remembering that if you are ever anchored in, or have to pass through, strong current areas in your dinghy, or ever anchor a long distance from the nearest landing site, you will love that extra horsepower.

Also, make sure to check out the local classified ads to see if local dealers are having any sales. If you don't see any ads, pick up the phone and call around.

Remember: if you don't ask, you won't know.

There's No Such Thing as a Free Lunch - Or Is There?

By buying an eligible product during a specific time frame, you really can get a lot of value for your money. Many manufacturers offer sales incentives to manage inventories and introduce new products. Consumers can benefit by way of discounts, rebates, additional warranties, and other "freebies".

Not all deals are what they seem - Make sure you read the find print - .. .

Make sure you read and understand every word of the fine print; missing one detail could negate the entire promotion. Some key points to look for include:

Participating Dealer:Just because the outboard manufacturer is offering a promotion, it doesn't mean the dealer must participate. A dealer may choose not to be involved in the promotion. The key words in the fine print usually read something to the effect of "see participating dealer/retailer for details".

Eligible Product: Is the engine you're buying the exact model specified to qualify for the good- guy deal?

Timing: Promotions/incentives/rebates have definitive beginning and ending dates, and often require that the product is sold, delivered to the customer, and the warranty registered with the factory within a relatively narrow timeframe. Before you break out your checkbook, ensure that the dealership can meet all the criteria of the promotion.

Extended Warranties:A new outboard has a factory limited warranty, which is a good thing, but for only a few bucks more, you can purchase an Extended Service Contract (commonly called an Extended Warranty) to protect your investment long after the manufacturer's limited warranty has expired.

Be warned-not all extended warranties are created equal. Some require a deductible for warranty repairs and others provide declining levels of protection as the years go by-or frequently, a combination of both.

Take the time to read the extended service contracts from the various manufacturers (and third-party providers), and do an apples-to-apples comparison of what each warranty covers and which is best for you.

Hypothetically, a three-year extended warranty from one manufacturer might be a better value than a four-year warranty from another manufacturer. Yes, warranties are a dull read, but you owe it to yourself to go through the details to make sure your boat is on the water for as long as possible.

Obtain a copy of any promotion/rebate/incentive and extended warranty to save for future reference; keep these documents in a safe place along with your boat's other important papers.

Trust is Good, but Get It in Writing

The dealer might be a neighbor, fishing buddy, or a complete stranger. Whatever the case, business is business, so get everything in writing, particularly information regarding pricing, promotions, factory warranties and extended service contracts.

Insist on each detail as a line item on the bill of sale (i.e. Free 3-Year Yamaha Extended Service Contract per the Yamaha "Two Ways to Save Sales Event" Retail Promotion). Anything discussed and promised should be clearly stated in writing to avoid misunderstandings later.

The above advice has been kindly provided by Yamaha. For updates on their latest products, go to their website. There you will also find ways to save money on new Yamaha outboards - Yamaha is always willing to work with you.

by Martin Peters/Sail-World Cruising

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