2 Questions to Ask When Buying Used Boat Parts
When repairing a boat, purchasing used boat parts rather than new ones can substantially reduce the price of a repair. It's important to find used parts that are still in good condition, though, so that they'll last a long time. Here are two questions you can use to help confirm that any used boat parts you're thinking about buying are still performing well.
Are the Used Boat Parts OEM Parts or Aftermarket Parts?
As is the case with auto parts, there are two kinds of boat parts: original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts and aftermarket parts. OEM parts are made by the same company that manufactured the parts a boat initially came with -- that is, the original equipment manufacturer. Aftermarket parts are built by other companies that weren't involved in the original making of the boat.
Many companies that manufacture aftermarket parts produce high-quality components, but their parts usually don't come with the same assurance as OEM parts come with. Because OEM parts are made by a company that the boat maker trusts, they usually come with the same warranties, guarantees, and life expectancies as a boat's original parts. Aftermarket parts usually don't come with these promises because their manufacturing isn't directly overseen by the boat maker.
When buying used boat parts, it's usually better to get OEM parts. Many aftermarket parts will perform well, but it's difficult to estimate exactly how long they'll last. When you get OEM parts, you can look up how long the boat maker says those parts will last and calculate how many boating seasons they should continue to perform well for.
Were the Parts Used in Saltwater or Freshwater?
Whether boat parts were used in saltwater or freshwater probably won't affect how well they perform, for many parts are made to be used in oceans, rivers, and lakes. The water they were in, however, might affect their appearance. Saltwater and barnacles can stain parts that are used in oceans, seas, and brackish environments. In bodies of freshwater, salt and barnacles aren't a concern.
If you're purchasing parts for use in a boat's engine, the appearance of the parts may not be a major consideration. Who cares how parts look if no one but a mechanic sees them?
If you're getting parts that will be visible while you're boating, though, you may want to limit your parts to ones that were only used in freshwater. This will ensure that they don't have stains from salt or spots where barnacles grew on them.
Share
