Engines
How often does an outboard need servicing?
Once a year or every 100 hours, whichever comes first, with the first service usually earlier at around 20 hours on a new engine. Annual servicing covers plugs, filters, gearbox oil, impeller, anodes and a full inspection — most of it can be done afloat or on the trailer.
Skipping a season is a false economy on outboards because the impeller and gearbox oil are the items that fail expensively. A perished impeller costs a modest part and an hour of labour; the overheat it causes can cost a powerhead.
If the engine has sat unused for a long period, mention it. Stale fuel in a small carburetted outboard gums the jets, and the service then includes carb cleaning rather than the standard list.
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