Boat Life Expectancy

[mjirving]

So, I'm curious what kind of life expectancy I can expect from my 2003 22v. We have about 350 hours on it right now and take very good care of it. We keep it in protected storage whenever the boat's not in use. Is there any kind of rule of thumb for an effective life of a boat like Tige? Hours on the engine? Life in general? The engine's what I'm mainly thinking about. It would seem that a boat engine isn't used nearly as much as a car engine, but I'm not sure that's a good analogy as I'm sure boat engines get a harder "workout".

Just wondering...thanks!

Mike

[condor86]

Im not sure about inboards, but volvo used to say expect 800hrs of engine life. As far as the boat is comcerned if it is well kept for it should last forever!

[mjirving]

So in auto terms, if you used a figure like an average speed of 60mph, which would be very high, that's about 48,000 miles. Are boats just lower that way? (I suppose boats run at a much higher RPM on average.) That would mean our 2003 is nearing the 1/2 way mark of it's life? So, when engines die, do people just buy a new one? What do they run for in price? (I cringe to ask)

Thanks,
Mike

[whitlock87]

I was told that a DD or VD engine should last for 3000hrs.
Average speed of 28 = just over 107,000 miles.
You are doing 116 hours each year = 25+ years.
Stay up on all the maintenance to maximize its life.

[lee]

One of the last boats I owned had over 2200 hours on it when I sold it in 1994 and it is still owned by the guy I sold it to and runs strong. Not sure how many hours are on it now as the hour meter broke and he did not replace it.

[gman]

mjirving,
Take a look at http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknow...enginelife.htm for your question.

[raythompson]

Maintenance Is The Key

Keep the maintanence current on the boat. Change the oil at least once, maybe twice a year. Oil is cheap. Keep fuel conditioner in the gas when the boat is not being used. Do not overstress the engine when it is cold, no full throttle until fully warmed up. Keep the engine clean on the exterior. First sign of any trouble have it taken care of immediately.

Boat engines are under a lot more stress than car engines. Running at 5K RPM for extended duration driving up a 10% incline uphill would quickly destroy a car engine (if it could even be kept cool). Marine engines have heavier duty components to manage the stress. Also cooling is not as much of an issue with marine engines as there is a constant supply of cooling water (if the pumps are working).

My last boat the MERC 4 Cyl, 140 HP stern drive was 21 years old with no repairs on the engine. Most major repair was replacing the drive shaft boot. I never winterized the boat. I would instead hook up the water hose and run the engine for 30 minutes once a month while the boat was on the trailer. That engine had several thousand hours on it.

[Tip]

Mike,
I just moved to Vancouver, I also have a 2003 22v. Once I get my boat here this summer you'll have to fill me on the good spots to ride in the area, and more importantly, where not to ride!
It's nice to live in an area where Tige's are somewhat popular. Back in North Carolina it was not unusual for me to be at a wakeboard competition with 150-200 other boats and be the only Tige in the bunch.

Tip

[mjirving]

Tip,

I'll start a new thread on local water spots in Oregon/Washington. Please tune in.

Mike