Small Outboard Motors for Sale: See the Full First-Season Cost Before You Buy
The sticker price is only the opening number. Here is everything else a new small outboard owner ends up buying, so your budget survives the first summer.
Small outboard motors for sale are new portable boat engines, roughly 2.3 to 30 HP gas or the electric equivalent, offered at a listed price and ready to ship to your door.
Shauna’s budget had a hole shaped like a gas tank
Shauna saved all winter for a 9.9 HP. She had the exact figure taped to the fridge, and in April she hit it. The motor arrived, gleaming, and she carried it proudly to her 14 ft (4.3 m) boat at the marina slip.
Then the questions started. Where does the fuel go? A 9.9 runs from an external tank, and she did not have one. The dock neighbour asked about her spare prop. She did not have one of those either. A life jacket that actually fit her teenage son? Also missing. By the end of the weekend, a second, smaller list was taped under the first.
None of it was a disaster. It just would have been nicer to know. The next spring, when her brother went shopping, Shauna sat him down and made him budget the whole rig first. He bought a slightly smaller motor, all the extras, and still came in under his number.
Budget for the rig, not just the engine. That is the entire trick.
What does a small outboard really cost in the first season?
Expect to add roughly 10 to 25 percent to the motor’s price for the extras below, depending on what you already own. Confirm what ships with each motor on its product page.
| Item | Who needs it | Rough cost (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| External fuel tank + line | Most motors above 6 HP | $60–$150 | Check if one is included first |
| Marine starting battery | Electric-start models | $120–$250 | Plus a charger for storage |
| Spare propeller | Anyone in rocky or shallow water | $60–$200 | Aluminum props are cheapest |
| Oil, gear lube, stabilizer | Every gas owner | $40–$80 a season | Four-strokes need no oil mixing |
| Flush muffs + spare plugs | Every gas owner | $20–$50 | Makes home servicing easy |
| Lithium battery | Torqeedo owners | Often built in | Spare batteries extend range |
Small outboard motors for sale now
New, in stock, and priced openly. Starting prices in USD.
How do you buy a small outboard motor online without surprises?
Follow this order and nothing arrives that you cannot use.
- Confirm the boat’s limits. Maximum HP and weight from the capacity plate.
- Confirm shaft length. About 15 in (38 cm) transom for short shaft, about 20 in (51 cm) for long shaft. Ordering the wrong one is the most common return.
- Check what is included. Tank, fuel line, prop and manual. Note anything missing on your budget list.
- Add the extras in one order. A battery and charger for electric start or Torqeedo spares.
- Plan the first run. Read the break-in section of the manual; most new four-strokes want varied throttle for the first hours.
- New motors come with the manufacturer’s warranty; used ones often do not.
- Every price is listed up front, so you can budget before you call.
- Not sure on fit? Ask before ordering and we will check.
Small outboard motors for sale: FAQ
Is it better to buy a new or used small outboard?
New costs more up front but brings a warranty, a known history and modern fuel efficiency. A used motor can be good value only if you can inspect and test run it properly.
When is the best time to buy a small outboard motor?
Late winter is ideal. Stock is full, you have time to fit and test the motor, and you avoid the spring rush when popular sizes can sell out.
Do the listed prices include a fuel tank?
It depends on the model. Smaller motors usually have a built-in tank. For larger motors, check the product page for what ships in the box.
Can I get help choosing before I buy?
Yes. Send us your boat length, transom height and how you use it, and we will suggest a motor and the extras you actually need.
Budget the whole rig. Then launch without a second list.
Tell us your boat and we will quote the motor plus the extras it needs.