I see a lot of boats advertised for sale the state that the engines or drives have just been refreshed, reconditioned or rebuilt. The same for drives as well. Just what does 'refreshed' mean? I definitely know what to expect if someone tells me the engine was just rebuilt and would like hear what you guys thinks the difference between all of these terms mean.

Thanks

Rebuilt to me means from top to bottom with new rings,bearings gaskets. Block checked for squareness and heads checked with new valves. All worn components replaced.

Out drive should have seals, bearings checked or replaced and gears micrometered for wear.

Of course 9 times out of ten the buyer should have their own marine mechanic perform the necessary checks to be re assured things are up to standard. Compression check, plugs checked etc.. Outdrive oil checked ect..

I'm sure you'll have a few more people chime in on this one. As always take the time and spend the money to have it checked right. It will be worth it in the long run.

A "freshened" drive or motor can simply mean new rings,bearings,gskts and oil pump, Outdrives are often tore down,inspected and re-assembled with no new gears (weren't needed) and bearings re-placed if bad or reused if they look good and new seals. If you were buying something I'd ask for a detailed list with receipts for parts installed as people have different interpretations of "re-built" or "freshened". I see snowmobiles for sale all the time with "freshly rebuilt" motors with zero miles,they usually are something that someone blew up or melted down then patched back together without figuring out root cause of the problem and they are trying to make it someone elses problem. I'm sure more than one boat for sale out there falls under that scenario too so you have to be real careful,especially if something doesn't have the kind of hours you'd think it would before having major repair,Smitty

Thanks for the good information. I want'ed to have an idea of these terms so that I knew what to look for and hopefully avoid getting scorched.
thanks again.

If they don't have recepts it means it was just re-painted.

There was an engine shop in our area that was buying junkyard motors, and cleaning them and re-painting them, installing them in cars as "rebuilt" motors. They are now out of business. I had used them because they were cheap. One time I had brought a set of BB heads to them to get glass beaded, and they talked me into a rebuild they did both heads for $110. The dope behind the counter insisted that the guides must be knurled. I had to talk to the owner and eventually they listened. Alot of people are doing engine work. Even noteworthy outfits have comebacks. I just seen a Jasper 3.7 4 cyl blow up after a few hours. It had a worn lifter bore and lost oil pressure.

If you don't know who did the work, expect the worst. That way you won't be surprised.