Whether it’s a financial matter and a new boat isn’t an option or the fact that a given owner loves the layout of his current model and the engines are just tired, more people are looking at repowering.The cost of outboard motors in the past few years has many owners considering repowering their boa …

The skeg of an outboard or sterndrive gear case provides much directional stability and steering ease. Whether caused by running aground or due to some land-bound calamity, a broken or damaged skeg adversely affects handling. In some cases, a welder can repair your skeg. When I needed to repair …

Jack plates perform two key functions. One is setback, which distances an outboard from the boat’s transom, allowing the propeller to run in less-turbulent water. Jack plates also move an outboard up and down to optimize performance and enable a boat to venture into shallower water than it might oth …

Unless you are an expert welder who also happens to have access to a hydraulic press, the chances of your completing a major boat propeller repair or reconditioning job successfully are slim and none. And Slim doesn’t work here anymore. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t perform minor repair and maint …

Many areas of the country have waterways that are too shallow for conventional outboards. In other places, rocks, stumps and sandbars just beneath the surface conspire to “help” boat owners send their local mechanic’s kid to college. There are two options for remedying such situations: Buy a jet out …