If you have spent enough time on boats or around boaters, you must have heard the term “outboard motor”. If you’re new to the marine lifestyle, you may not know how these machines can help improve your overall boating experience. These can be a worthy investment for all boat owners as long as they take care to select the right model!

Blue Water Boats is the preferred outboard motor dealer in Cape May Court House, NJ, and we like to help our patrons make the right decisions for their vessels. That’s why we’ve compiled this informative guide for you! When you want to check out outboard motors for sale near Atlantic City, NJ or Philadelphia, PA, contact us and one of our friendly sales staff will assist you!

The History of Outboard Motors

Before these machines revolutionized the industry, boats could only be powered in a few ways. One option was using sails, but this could be problematic because, as we all know, wind is not constant and cannot be controlled. Another strategy was using oars, but this results in exhaustion pretty quickly. Boat travel was possible, but it was slow and risky.

In 1870, boat travel changed forever when Gustav Trouvé created the first electric-powered outboard motor. In twenty short years, gasoline-powered outboard motors were being built around the world. Inventors from different countries tried their hands at crafting an outboard motor and the innovation made boat travel much easier, faster, and safer. The design was continually innovated and improved upon, giving us an impressive range of options today.

How Outboard Motors Work

Your outboard motor gives power to the propeller, which in turn causes the boat to move. To steer, you have to tilt the motor casing. This will let the propeller move water away at an angle. Some motors are steered by hand and others are steered by a wheel. To increase your speed, you will open the throttle. This gets the outboard motor to burn fuel at a faster pace and turn over faster.

The Importance of Outboard Motors

The innovative placement of motors lends itself well to a variety of situations as it makes it easy to lift the engine out of the water. There are some perks to this, such as:

Reduced Water Hazards

Your boat has to handle various water hazards as it sits at the docks. For example, seaweed or fishing lines can get stuck to the motor and cause issues. With outboard motors, you can simply detach the motor and prevent anything from getting caught in it.

Expanded Fishing Options

If you own a fishing boat, you'll love the advantages that outboard motors offer. Use your boat to cruise around the waterways. When you reach a shallow area where fish are found, you can simply remove your engine. That way, you won't need to worry about incurring damage with your engine scraping against an obstacle or the bottom of the waterway.

Easy Replacement

Over time, you may end up wanting to replace your outboard motor with a newer or more powerful model. It's easy to simply disconnect your current outboard motor and then replace it with one that is better suited to meet your needs.

Easy Maintenance

The highest quality motors still need maintenance and can still end up needing repairs. Outboard motors are easy to service, which saves you time and stress. Whether you need to do the repairs yourself or you need expert help, you can simply disconnect the outboard motor and easily address the problem.

We hope this guide has given you a clearer idea of what an outboard motor can do for you! If you need more information or want to browse outboard motors for sale in Cape May Court House, NJ, get in touch with us at Blue Water Boats to see our wide selection! We’re proud to be the leading outboard motor dealer for Atlantic City, NJ and Philadelphia, PA!