best motors for motorboat

The 7 Best Motors for My Motorboat

Written by Boatsetter Team
December 9, 2020

Important Things to Keep in Mind about Engines When You Rent a Motorboat

If you decide to rent a motorboat, we are generally talking about the kinds of outboard motors or engines that come with these boats. Some of the major engine manufacturers are Mercury, Yamaha, Evinrude, and Suzuki, and we’ll look at some of their latest offerings when we talk about it below. Most motorboat motors offer generous warranties of up to six years, so they are generally very reliable. The biggest differences between all of the motors are in terms of horsepower and efficiency. Fuel range and economy are also concerns if you decide to rent a motorboat for a big group of people. Here are seven of the best outboard motors that you should consider when renting a motorboat, especially if you want to purchase a motorboat in the near future.

Mercury Motors

mercury motors

The new Mercury 4.6-liter V8 Verado 450R features a 2.4-liter twin-screw supercharger and a Sport Master gearcase. It is lightweight at only about 70o pounds. It’s available with a 25-inch shaft or a 20-inch shaft. The three-year warranty should give you confidence that your motor will last a long time on the water. Also, it runs on 89-octane pump gas, which makes it easy to refuel. The 450R is one of the best motors you can get these days.

Evinrude Motors

Evinrude Motors

Evinrude offers a new 150 horsepower E-TEC, which is a 1.9-liter three-cylinder direct-injected two-stroke engine. It has a good fuel efficiency of 12 mpg at a fast pace on a 20-foot boat. These 150 horsepower outboard motors can be used on all kinds of boats because they can be controlled via a mechanical steering cable, external hydraulic, integrated power steering, and even a tiller. All in all, these Evinrude motors are pretty simple to operate!

Torqueedo Travel 1103C Motors

Torqueedo is known for big outboard motors called Deep Blue motors, which are up to 80-horsepower equivalent. However, those types of motors are only designed for the megayachts of billionaires. While one of those 80-horse motors and its BMW-developed battery pack sells for more than $50,000, the new Travel 1103C is under $3,000, and it is perfect for any boat that weighs less than about 3,400 pounds. The new Travel 1103C has an onboard 915 Wh lithium battery, and it can run for six hours at half-throttle, which could mean up to 20 miles of range (depending on your boat). The Torqueedo is perfect for a small motorboat—it only makes 33 dB of noise and weighs less than 40 pounds. What’s more, you can extend the battery life by charging it with a solar panel while you are boating.

Yamaha XTO Offshore Motors

Yamaha XTO

Because some modern center console boats stretch well beyond 50 feet, Yamaha has built an engine designed for these types of boats: the 425 horsepower XTO Offshore. This is a 5.6-liter V8 with direct fuel injection. It also features integrated power steering, and it can weigh up to 1000 pounds. According to Yamaha’s performance report, four of these motors on the back of a 41-foot Regulator center console will allow it to reach a speed of almost 65 mph.

Suzuki DF350A Motors

suzuki motorboats

Although Suzuki is better known as a mainstream value brand, the new DF350A motor shows that they are trying to get into the high-horsepower game. The DF350A is a big 4.4-liter naturally aspirated V6, which uses two counter-rotating propellers to increase hookup and negate torque effects. This can be important and economical for single-engine boats. For example, on a Sea Pro 239, the DFA350A pushed the boat to 54 mph and got 3.35 mpg while cruising in the high 20s. Quad 350s pushed an aluminum Gaudet 38 to 65.8 mph. So, the DF350A offers a lot of horsepower for the price. While the MSRP is $31,565, it is possible to get slightly used DF350As for much less than that.

Hangkai 6.5HP Outboard Motors

Hangkai motors

These are some of the best motors you can buy because they are powerful yet fuel-efficient. The 6.5 Hp 4 stroke engine is well-designed with an ergonomic handle and a comfortable grip, which helps you carry it easily, especially because it is relatively light. It can power a boat carrying a load of 4 people, but the boat will go faster when fewer people are onboard. The motor has a 12-liter gas tank that uses pure gasoline. It has a pump impeller with a start rope and start key for easy ignition. It also features a water cooling system to prevent overheating.

Sea Dog Water Sports Motor

If you want a boat primarily for maneuvering through narrow areas and for towing people, then this Sea Dog motor will provide all the necessary power you need. It is a 2 stroke outboard engine with 2.5 horsepower, enough to power a small motorboat. It has a 1.2-liter fuel capacity, and it uses gasoline and oil mixed at a ratio of 25:1. It is air-cooled and has an economical, compact design that makes it easy to carry around. It has a CDI ignition system as well as a recoil (manual) start system. Its idling speed is 3,000 rpm, and the propeller’s diameter is only 18cm, which allows it to run quietly with minimal noise.

Make the Most of your Motorboat Rental!

Just like the car industry, the boating industry is full of all kinds of motor manufacturers that compete to build and sell the best motors for their market. When it comes to selecting a motor, it all depends on the kind of motorboat you might be buying. Big brand names like Mercury, Yamaha, Evinrude, and Suzuki have dominated the industry for decades, but now we are starting to see companies like Hangkai making a splash. It is a great idea to rent a motorboat through Boatsetter and do the research and try out all of these brands by seeing how they look on the back of a boat at some of the country’s biggest boat shows.

If you are considering these types of motors for a boat you might want to purchase, it is a good idea to rent a motorboat through Boatsetter so that you can try out some of your options before you buy your boat. Also, remember that the costs of owning a boat can be higher than you might expect. You will need to factor in some other aspects of boat ownership: storage, boat insurance, maintenance, and all of the various licenses you might need. Boatsetter offers a unique service that matches boat owners with potential renters. Be sure to take advantage of our services today! If you browse through our impressive fleet, you will be sure to find a wide range of boats near you that will greatly exceed your motorboat expectations!


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