Marine power choices: Think it through

A quick disclaimer before we begin:  The following thoughts are the opinions of the author – that’d be me – and not necessarily those of Commercial Fisheries News.  None of these statements is meant to be an endorsement or criticism of any product.  I’ve simply been fortunate enough to witness some of the good, the bad, and the ugly of boats and engines over the years.  All this white hair should account for something.

Your marine engine is likely the single most expensive component of your boat next to the hull itself and, sometimes, not even then.

The choice you make regarding your boat’s power early on is something you’re going to be reminded of every time you hit the start button early in the morning or lay onto the throttle as you head down the bay or stick a diesel hose into the fuel filler at the end of a day’s fishing.

Take the time to do your homework before investing in an engine.  It’s too big of an investment to make based on whims or trends.  With any luck, you’ll be living with your engine for years to come.  Shop for the long term.

Here are some points to consider – most of them just good common sense.  The fact of the matter is, you don’t need to be an expert mechanic to make a choice that’s right for you and your boat.  You just need be what the late Bob Brown would refer to as “an astute observer of the obvious.”

There are plenty of examples of good and bad power choices out there.  Learn from both the fortunes and misfortunes of others…

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Read the rest and much, much more in the August issue of Commercial Fisheries News.

Read online immediately and download for future reference.

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