How do you assemble a boat motor?

Why is an outboard motor more expensive than a whole boat, motor and trailer?

• Im shopping for a starter boat for our family. A used 17ft, open bow, tri hull, runabout or a 17ft deck boat. While searching the thousands of boat related ads, It seems that a good motor is expensive. And a used boat, trailer & motor isnt? (by comparison) Why is that? Is a motor worth more when its not attached to anything?

• Answer:

  Because lots of people have boats and trailers with BAD MOTORS! AND a new motor cost lots of $$$$$$$ SO supply and demand make good used outboards often sell higher than a total package. Also if you are looking on e-bay you can use a freight company and ship an outboard anywhere in the US! You have to go pick up the full package so your search just narrowed to a 100 to 300 max mile radius from where you live! I got a boat given to me 3 years ago and after spending $600 to get it in running order and another $400 this year to keep it running good my FREE gift has cost me well over $1,000. A good friend once told me a boat is: "a whole in the water that you throw money into" They are lots of fun though, my advice would be get as new a boat as your budget will allow and make sure to have it serviced annually! Because as you know it cost allot to replace a motor!