2022 Mercury Outboards Coming Soon

 As many of our readers know, finding a brand new outboard motor has been very difficult over the last 18 months. An increase in demand has manufacturers scrambling to produce motors as quickly as possible. The demand continues to surge and forecasts are telling us this trend will continue for the next few years.

While an increase in demand is great news for boating, not being able to get a new outboard is not great news but, we are working to solve this problem. US Boatworks presently has 14 new motors coming in from Mercury Marine. We want to get the word out now to allow you to place a deposit on one of these great motors before they are gone.

Our incoming Mercury Marine Outboard Lineup is as follows:

Five of these shiny new Mercury motors for sale come in 9.9 horse power and offer several different options such as electric start, tiller handle, and long or short shaft. Two of these 9.9’s come with the popular Pro Kicker option for superior torque for greater acceleration control.

If you are looking for a little more horse power we have two 15 hp motors and two 20 HP motors all in short shaft with tiller handle on the way. Our 25 hp motor that is coming soon is already sold.

After our 20 hp motors, we jump up a bit to the 60 hp motors. Soon we will have two 60 HP Mercury Motors stocked with Command Thrust. These motors are long shaft and come with electric start and power trim.

Finally, our largest hp motors are both a 90 HP and 115 HP motors. The 90 hp comes in long shaft with electric start and power trim. The 115 HP motor recently sold and is stocked with electric start and power trim as well.

If you want one of these motors, call us now to place a deposit on one so we can hold it for you. We anticipate most of these will be sold before they hit the showroom floor. If you are looking for something else, we are happy to order a motor for you. Orders placed today can take up to 6 months to arrive, so don’t wait. At this point, it could be early spring before you see your new motor.

No matter what you need, don’t miss out – reserve yours today!

 

Boat Maintenance Checklist

Spring is officially here & it’s time to think about dusting that boat off and getting it in top running shape.  The warm weather will be here soon & you want to be ready so you don’t miss a minute out on the water.  Here are some tips on things to check before taking your boat out for the first time this season.  Please be aware, this boat maintenance tips checklist does not represent everything you should check on your boat but merely give suggestions of where you should start.  Please consult a certified marine repair mechanic prior to working on your boat motor also be sure to consult your owner’s manual for maintenance instructions specific to your boat model.

CHECKLIST:

Belts, Cables & Hoses

1. Always check for cracking that occurred during winter storage.
2. Belts should fit tightly around the pulleys to prevent slipping. A worn belt may have a black substance near the pulley & also may fit loosely.
3. Control cables with cracks or swelling on the outer layer may indicate need to replace.  Contact your boat repair center or order cables online to replace yourself.

Electrical Connections

1. Review electrical connections for cleanliness and tightness.  Check for corrosion which is often a sign that the connection may not be safe.  Remove terminals and use a wire brush to clean connections and cable ends.
2. Charge your battery and test it so you can be sure it will hold a charge. Electrical systems should be routinely inspected by a qualified technician.

Fluid Levels
Check all fluid levels including

1. Engine oil- Change the oil if this was not done during winterizing.  Include a new oil filter & change drive lubricants
2. Coolant
3. Power trim reservoir
4. Power Steering Fluid

Propellers & Hulls

1. Inspect propellers for damage.  Verify the propeller is properly secured.
   If you experience unwanted vibration, poor performance and damage to the propulsion system, your prop may be damaged & need to be replaced.
2.  Inspect the Hull – look for cracks & distortions. Clean the outside of your boat using an environmentally-safe cleaner.

Fuel

1. Check your fuel lines for damage. Signs of damaged hoses can be either cracking, hard hoses or very soft hoses. Remember to check fuel hoses, connections and tank surfaces.
2. Insure clamps and fitting are secured.
3. Ensure the engine, exhaust and ventilation systems are also all functioning properly.

Safety Gear

1. Lifejackets need to be in good condition It’s important for passengers to have access to the correct size lifejacket for their body weight.
2. Onboard fire extinguishers must be the correct class for your boat, fully charged.

Trailer

1. Inspect trailer wheels, verify that tires are inflated to proper level.
2. Check that trailer straps are not worn and are holding properly.
3. Verify that your trailer is the proper size for your boat.

For an even more extensive boat inspection checklist, visit www.boatengine.com/boat-maintence-tips/

This gearcase won’t fail you!

Last week discovered more about New Non-OEM Gearcases which tend to be inferior in quality but can save you money in the short term. Next up on our gearcase education tour is the new OEM (original equipment manufacturer) unit.

The new OEM unit is made by your motor manufacturer (ie. Volvo, Mercury, Evinrude…) and will contain original factory parts.  Of course, with new OEM parts and premium factory labor, this product will be the most expensive of the three replacement choices we cover. Quality manufacturing on a OEM gearcase is a guarantee and the unit will come with a nice warranty.  Warranties will vary by manufacturer so please check with a knowledgeable dealer regarding the warranty.

Generally your dealer will not have the exact OEM gearcase you need in stock since they are expensive and as a result do not sell as often. Expect about 4 days to wait for your new OEM lower unit to arrive at your dealership and add time for installation if necessary. Once installed, you should have comfort in knowing you selected the best unit available on the market.

Call us at 913-342-0011 or email us for more information on new OEM gearcases for your boat motor.

 

USGS Crew Relies on US Boatworks During Flood Rescue

Flood waters continue to torment the Midwest and rescuers are relying on US Boatworks to fix their boats quick so they can get back to the job of saving lives.  The US Geological Survey crew has been on hand helping with rescue efforts to the North of Kansas City and when their Mercury Outboards started having problems, the promptly took it to us for repair.  Time was of the essence as flood waters would crest any day leaving more families in need of evacuation aid.  As a Mercury Marine Premier Repair Shop, our team was well equipped to repair the motors in a day so USGS could get back on the water. Our boat parts department which stock over 2 million parts played a big role in the quick turn around as there was no wait to order replacement parts.

So what makes US Boatworks stand out as a preferred boat dealer for our local fire and rescue department? We have poled our customers and choose the top 5 factors that make US Boatworks a superior boat repair shop.

1. Our certified mechanics know your engine inside and out.  Each mechanic has attended many hours of instruction each year.  This education keeps them on top of new technology which rapidly changes each year.
2. Each of our mechanics has over 25 years experience repairing boats.  So, in addition to being educated with the new technology, our staff has experience working on the late model engines as well.
3. Our friendly team is always happy to help.  Step into our humble shop and you will find our experienced team ready to answer your questions and solve your problem.
4. Great pricing: Low overhead keeps our costs down and we pass that savings on to our customers.
5. Over 2 million boat parts in stock.  This means that we should have the parts you need on hand.  This saves a considerable amount of time while your boat is at our shop- no need to wait for parts from the manufacturer. Your repair will be completed as quickly as possible to get you back out on the water.

We hope you choose US Boatworks for your Kansas City Area boat repair needs.  It's hard to put into words how much we truly care about our customers.  Come in and give us a try, let us earn your business as we have done with our local fire and rescue departments.

US Boatworks Now Open 9-Noon Saturdays!

The month of March rolled in like a lion here in the Mid-West so we set our hopes on it going out like a lamb.  We are all looking forward to warm spring weather and the outdoor fun that goes along with it.  With that said, we hope to see our customers early this spring to beat the summer boat service months where you may wait for your favorite mechanic to solve your problem.  We can turn service jobs around fairly quickly in the early spring months but once the weather changes, everyone suddenly starts thinking about boating.  Before you know it you may be waiting a few weeks to get your boat serviced and with our short boating season, you definitely want to be out on the lake as much as possible.

The good news is that US Boatworks just started extended spring/summer hours.  We are now open Saturdays from 9 am – Noon.  The rest of the week our hours are 9 – 5 central time, Monday through Friday. Please stop by and see us early this spring, you will be glad you did.  

Mercury Go with 5 Years Sales Event

Purchase a new 2.5 – 350 hp Mercury Outboard now through March 31, 2019 and receive 2 additional years factory backed coverage for free.  In addition to the standard three-year factory warranty, you will receive an additional 2 year Mercury Product Protection Gold Plan! Hurry in now before this special is gone.

Motors included in this promotion are all 2.5 – 350 hp outboards including Verado, FourStroke, ProXS and OptiMax engines. Check out our Mercury Outboards in stock and view all available outboards from Mercury.  Motors not already on our showroom floor usually arrive from Mercury in 3 business days.

If you want personalized help from our experienced team, call or come down and see us.  We will get you the right motor the first time based on the anticipated usage information you give us.  This help can save you a lot of frustration down the road. We hear countless stories from boaters who purchase their motors from the big stores and end up under powered. Take some extra time and use our knowledge before you buy.

US Boatworks – a Mercury Premier Dealer that truly cares about getting you out on the water enjoying the lake with family and friends.

Outlook 2019

As we say goodbye to 2018, we took a quick look back in time.  A lot has changed since Mercury's small beginnings in 1939 when outboards were ordered from the Montgomery Ward mail order catalog.  Mercury Outboards continue to be a leader in the industry and are even more reliable today.

We at US Boatworks look to be a leader in 2019 by providing the very best boat parts and service dealer in the Midwest.  We will do this by  continuing to provide a superb customer experience by adding value to every customer that reaches our retail store or online shop.  Adding value through customer education, friendly advice and a wide array of products to meet your needs.  Browse our blog for boat repair topics, call or email us with questions about outboard or sterndrives.  We are the best boat parts store and boat repair shop and will continue to improve and grow over the coming year.

Thank you for allowing us to keep you out on the water all season long.