This blog is about outboard repowering. You see, somewhere around 1995 I was involved in a large marketing program involving the conversion of a famous brand of hi-end sportfish yachts from traditional inboard designs to the use of outboard power. The lead designer, an icon in the naval architect world, explained to our group that the future trend of sportfish boats would be very large center consoles outfitted with outboard power. He went on to explain that the boats themselves would be big along with the accompanying motors, hanging three, four and even five engines on the transom.

Well, in my world at that time, I could see this was all wrong. The biggest motors of the day were 250 hp two-stokes, and what respectable captain would tolerate the obstruction of big engines hanging on the back where a guest or crew member are bound to snag a line and lose a prize catch trying to work the boat. Not to mention all the torque issues with odd numbered paired engines, insane consumption of fuel, etc., etc., etc.

Now, not a boat show goes by, or a magazine hits my desk, or even what I witness on the water, do the words of Mr. Carl Herndon ring truer in my head. Center console sportfish boats tipping the 60-foot mark with 2,500+ hp power divided by quad outboards adorn technologically marveled hulls line the docks in South Florida, with all the bells and whistles the best that money can buy. You see, Carl explained that most boat owners really love their boats, especially in the semi-custom world of 30’ plus Sport Fish boats. And way before they tire of the boat itself, it’s problems with power that cause the owner to have issues with the boat. With outboards, you just drop the motors, add new ones, and voila… you have a new boat. 

I can recite countless friends who, in recent years, did a quick fluff & buff of their hulls – including paint, electronic upgrades, and new power, all for a fraction of the cost of a new boat. And now they have, in essence, a near new boat. 

Nautical Ventures has numerous repowering options to fit your needs and budget. We offer repower refinance programs, a host of top brands including Mercury, Yamaha, Evinrude, Tohatsu, and an extensive range of horsepower to give you all the speed you could need. We can even ‘fluff & buff your hull’ with all the latest bells and whistles. 

So I apologize now if this blog didn’t provide the technological data to make a repowering decision. It was only written to covey this thought. If you’re looking to breathe new life into a boat you love, new motors will open up a whole new world.