If a new boat isn’t in your budget, consider repowering.
By Gregg Mansfield
Kit Martin aimed to enhance his Boston Whaler and visited a nearby boat show last year to explore purchasing a new boat. Walking through the aisles, he was taken aback by the prices.
“I began calculating in my mind and realized that even if I sold my boat for maximum value, I would still need significantly more money than I was prepared to spend,” Martin stated. “I had to consider a different approach that wouldn’t require a bank loan.”
Having read about boat transformations over the years, Martin believed his Boston Whaler was an ideal candidate. While the center console was in excellent shape, the boat seemed underpowered with its twin 115-hp outboards.
Instead of buying a new center-console boat, customers can opt for repowering their vessel through Mastry Suzuki Repower Centers. Engines are dispatched from a distribution center located in St. Petersburg, Fla., to one of 13 Repower Centers in Florida for installation.
“I chose to pursue repowering, and my wife is thrilled with my choice,” Martin chuckled. “Honestly, I couldn’t be more satisfied with my boat, and I didn’t have to dip into our savings.”
An increasing number of boaters are considering repowering options, contributing to the robust business of Mastry Suzuki Repower Centers. This concept began six years ago and has now expanded to 13 Repower Centers in Florida.
David Taylor, who oversees sales and marketing at Mastry Suzuki Repower Centers, stated they cater to numerous customers like Martin each month.
“Customers express sentiments like, ‘Wait a minute. I enjoy my boat. I’ve invested time customizing it to my liking,’” Taylor mentioned. “They can simply repower to enjoy a new engine, updated instrumentation, all-new wiring, and more, along with a six-year warranty for a fraction of the cost of buying a new boat.”
Kiosks at different Mastry Suzuki Repower Centers display performance bulletins for boat models that the company has retrofitted.
Taylor developed the repower concept after observing changes in the marine dealership landscape. Dealers previously acquired boat hulls and engines separately, rigging them for sale. Nowadays, they receive boats as complete packages from manufacturers, Taylor noted.
“When customers require service, the dealer’s capability is somewhat restricted,” Taylor said. “(Dealers) can perform basic maintenance, but they’re not equipped to repower boats due to technological advancements in the field.”
“Therefore, I saw a significant opportunity for a high-quality product combined with dealers proficient in service and rigging.”
Taylor emphasized that when selecting an outboard partner, Suzuki distinguished itself by producing an exceptional product that lacked adequate service support. This led him to collaborate with Mastry Engine Center in St. Petersburg, Fla., which boasts nearly 60 years in marine distribution. Mastry has almost 140 marine dealers exclusively for its diesel business, according to Taylor.
“They had the required infrastructure in place for shipping parts and engines, along with a service training program,” Taylor explained. “Mastry’s reputation for supporting the dealer network, conducting repowers, and ensuring a perfect fit was excellent. It was a natural partnership.”
Suzuki Repower Centers provide essentially three repower packages: The standard package replaces an old Suzuki outboard with a new Suzuki model without needing new controls or instrumentation. The repower plus package caters to boat owners wanting to replace an Evinrude or Yamaha outboard with a new Suzuki and includes a stainless-steel prop, Racor fuel water separator, new wiring, and upgraded controls and gauges.
The premium package features a new steering system in addition to all components of the repower plus package.
“Every repower we conduct involves testing the boat on the water to ensure the engine is positioned correctly and has the appropriate propeller pitch for optimal RPM,” Taylor confirmed.
Mastry Suzuki Repower Centers operates 13 locations in Florida to carry out repower services.
Mastry Suzuki Repower Centers offers a six-year warranty on their outboards. Although other outboard manufacturers provide similar extended warranties, Taylor believes the company’s Owner’s Edge program differentiates them.
When a boater purchases a repower package, they can utilize any Repower Center in Florida if issues arise. The program also features a toll-free number that members can call to reach a technician at any time.
“The call connects to our technical staff, who assist with any minor issues,” Taylor remarked. “The engines’ quality today minimizes problems.”
Each Repower Center includes a kiosk with product details. Mastry Repower Centers has performance bulletins for 390 boats repowered with Suzuki outboards previously equipped with other brands. Consumers can likely find their boat model listed among these bulletins.
Once a consumer agrees to repower, the outboard and rigging are dispatched from the St. Petersburg warehouse within 24 hours to the designated Repower Center for installation. Noting the complex nature of today’s outboards, instruments, and steering, Taylor explained that all outgoing products include the latest software updates to ensure compatibility.
“We provide all controls and instrumentation with matching software levels,” Taylor detailed. “We equip Repower Centers with everything necessary for rigging the boat because their expertise lies in the technical aspects.”
As the cost of new boats keeps escalating, Taylor anticipates that more boaters will explore repowering as a cost-effective alternative.
“As I’ve mentioned previously, if you appreciate your boat, you don’t have to replace it,” Taylor stated. “Repowering creates many opportunities and is a practical choice.”
CONTACT
Mastry Suzuki Repower Centers
800-545-4574
www.suzukirepower.com