Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Will the use of fuels containing ethanol void my engine warranty?

Answer: Fuels containing up to 10 percent ethanol are considered acceptable for use in all manufacture engines. Fuels containing higher levels of ethanol are not considered acceptable for use, and the use of fuels containing ethanol higher than 10 percent can void the warranty.

Question: Can I start my engine momentarily out of the water?

Answer: No. Never start or run your outboard without water circulating through the cooling water intake in the gear case. Cooling water prevents damage to the water pump (running dry) and overheating of the engine.

Question: What is phase separation, and how do I deal with it?

Answer: If significant amounts of water are present in a fuel tank with gasoline that contains ethanol, the water will be drawn into the fuel until the saturation point is reached for the three-component mixture of water + gasoline + ethanol. Beyond this level of water, phase separation could cause most of the ethanol and water to separate from the bulk fuel and drop to the bottom of the tank, leaving gasoline with a significantly reduced level of ethanol in the upper phase. If the lower phase of water and ethanol is large enough to reach the fuel inlet, it could be pumped directly to the engine and cause significant problems. Even if the ethanol water phase at the bottom of the tank is not drawn into the fuel inlet, the reduced ethanol level of the fuel reduces the octane rating by as much as 3 octane numbers, which could result in engine problems.

The level at which phase separation can occur is determined by a number of variables, including the amount of ethanol, the composition of the fuel, the temperature of the environment and the presence of contaminants. It is very important (A) that the system is inspected for significant quantities of water in the tank before using gasoline with ethanol and (B) to limit exposure of the fuel tank to excess water. If phase separation has occurred, it is necessary to completely remove all free water from the system and replace the fuel before continuing operation. Otherwise, engine problems could occur.

Question: Which is better, inboard/outboard or outboard?

Answer: Whichever one fits your specific needs. Typically if you are looking for a fishing rig or setup you are going to want to go with an outboard. They will allow to run shallower, they do not take up as much space on the boat, allowing for more deck space and storage.

If you are looking more for a pleasure setup, the I/O is the best way to go. It gets the engine out of the way allowing for a swim platform; however winterization on an outboard is much easier. It's to each their own.

Question: How do I find the value of my boat and what can I get trading it in?

Answer: We and the banks use NADA.com to find the value, both trade and retail of marine products on the market today. On the public end, you will be shown and average and a high retail- This is was NADA believe your product is worth in good working order and depending on cosmetics, will place you on either the average or higher end of the spectrum. As a dealer and a bank, NADA also provides us with a trade value which is typically 10/15% percent lower than the average. In some cases if your boat has newer options the banks will allow for options to be added into the value but if the boat and options are older and out of date those values will likely not be considered.

Question: When is the best time to buy a boat?

Answer: Different manufacturers offer rebates at different times of the year, so if you are looking for a specific model or brand, watch their websites. Some offer their rebates year round and some offer different incentives at various times. As far as the dealership goes, Texas Boat World is going to make you a deal you shouldn't say no to year round.

Question: How long can I finance a boat?

Answer: You can finance a boat up to 180 months depending on the lender, amount of finance and year of boat.

Question: Do I need a down payment?

Answer: Most National lenders require 10% down depending on creditworthiness.

Question: What is the interest rate on boats?

Answer: The interest rate will depend on your creditworthiness, down payment, finance amount and unit information and lender.