Would you rather buy a used boat with a motor that’s original but say over 400 hours or one that has a rebuild or one with a new power head/ lower? Just wondering where the most confidence would be and the fear and down side to each. 

Personally I would prefer the higher hours of the options listed. I dont trust many mechanics and even some dealers I've had bad experiences with.  400 isnt a ton of hours if the motor was maintained which I guess would be a mystery.  Maybe if the rebuild or new lower unit had warranty I would have more confidence in going that route.

Most of the post 2005 outboard engines over 90 hp have computers that record engine run hours by rpm's. For example 400 total run hours with 300 hours at 5800 rpm tell a different story then 400 run hours with 50 hours at 5800, 100 hours at 4500, 100 hours at 1500 rpm's etc.

Tom

I put 800 hours on my last motor.  It was going strong when I traded ot off.  I’d have the motor checked out by a good mechanic to be sure that it was sound.

I've been doing this stuff about 55 years and 450 hours is not that many hours on a properly maintained engine and one that has been run on good gas and oil, newer model engine.  I would take that any day of the week over what most call rebuilt.

When you start buying rebuilt outboards it's a total crap shoot on what you might get, and don't think for a second the seller is going to be totally honest about it.  Like one of the other posters noted, there just not a whole lot of trusty builders, and what some call rebuilt can be anywhere between installing new rings, replacing one blown piston, to boring all cylinders and installing new pistons and rings.  A remanufactured engine buy a reputable builder will have almost everything but the rods, crank, block and heads replaced.  

 

To what size motor are you referring.  Two strokes cared for are like the energizer bunny, they just keep running.

I’m still looking at boats but mainly wanted to know how safe you feel with an original motor with 400 or more hours versus a rebuild versus and new power head or lower and if you could choose what one would you take. I’m looking at 150 to 250 hp depending on what I find.