Are the bolts that attach the motor to the boat always in the same place? Are the connectors for throttle, fuel, and the steering pretty much universal? What about very old boats (eg 60's and 70's) ? I'm browsing through postings on craigslist for boats and outboard motors. I've asked this question before but didn't really get a good answer to my question.
You cannot just attach any motor to any boat. You need to look at the Manufactures Build Capacity Plate. On that info plate will be the max HP outboard motor the boat can safely handle. Then there's the length of the output shaft too. Many old boats from the 60's and 70's handled up to 50 HP in most cases, but you'll need to check before buying a motor. On most of the connections on modern boats, the connections are for certain brands if equipped with dash gauges, electrical connections, throttle controls and sensors. Basic control cables are fairly Universal for smaller engine setups, but not big engines. Most boats have a center mount location for the outboard on single engine hulls.
YAMAHA 64E 43880 01 00 TILT TRIM MOTOR for 115 130 150 hp OUTBOARD BOAT ENGINE, SWITCH BOX 338 4733A2 1972 74 MERCURY 40HP OUTBOARD MOTOR BOAT IGNITION PART, LOWER END CAP 1102 4181 MERCURY MARINER OUTBOARD MOTOR BOAT ENGINE PARTS, FUEL PUMP KIT 42725 A2 MERCURY MARINER MERCRUISER OUTBOARD BOAT MOTOR, SWITCH BOX 332 7778A14 MERCURY RACING 1991 2000 OUTBOARD MOTOR BOAT, WATER PUMP REPAIR KIT 84187M MARINER 1977 1989 485560HP OUTBOARD MOTOR BOAT, FOOT PLATE ASSY 72122A1 MERCURY MERCRUISER OUTBOARD BOAT MOTOR PART, USED JOHNSON EVINRUDE REMOTE CONTROL BINNACLE MOUNT OUTBOARD MOTOR BOAT THROTTLE, COVER ASSEMBLY 821902A1 MERCURY MARINER 1994 98 75 125HP OUTBOARD MOTOR BOAT, CONNECTING ROD600 2748A2 MERCURY 50HP OUTBOARD MOTOR ENGINE BOAT PARTS, REMOTE CONTROL BOX 74578A2 MERCURY MERCRUISER OUTBOARD BOAT MOTOR PART, REED BLOCK 855952T3 MERCURY MARINER 2000 2006 135 210HP OUTBOARD MOTOR BOAT, USED VINTAGE CHRYSLER SINGLE REMOTE CONTROL SIDE MOUNT OUTBOARD MOTOR BOAT, STARTER ARMATURE 57384 MERCURY 1980 89 3040 HP BOAT IN OUTBOARD OUTBOARD MOTOR, UNIVERSAL OUTBOARD ENGINE STORAGE COVER FOR 45 100 HP BOAT MOTOR 300D WATERPROOF, Mercury Marine Outboard Engine Boat Motor Logo Sport Metal Watch Blk, 70 HP Yamaha Outboard Boat Motor Excellent Cond NR W controls, Boat LED navigation light marine bow mercruiser safety outboard motor cabin jet, 1961 EVINRUDE OUTBOARD MOTOR on Lone Star Boat AD, BOAT LED NAVIGATION LIGHT MARINE SAFETY OUTBOARD MOTOR searay bayliner jet sail,
