How much is a new engine worth

[sailhog]

What's a professional installation worth?

[tommays]

It depends on how much of the boat has to be taken apart

Seriously on many boats you have a really perfect kitchen area over a mid-engine install which could require a massive amount of labor that's more or less being done in a china cabinet

I swear the devil installed the A4 in my Cal 29 i had to make several special wrenches to reach the nuts from the side holes drilled into the fiberglass engine bed

[Planb835]

I had a Cal 25 with an old Atomic diesel in it. It died. I was told I would get 20% of my purchase price if I tried to sell it without a working engine. We put a Beta in it and did some other upgrades, prop, shifters, cables, etc. We also had the mast rewired and an antena installed at the top. We had a great boat. Two years later I was able to sell the boat in 30 days and did not recover the cost of the repairs. Some one once told me like does not add up like a check book.

[davidpm]

I love the warren buffett quote.
When I'm selling the boat I'm thinking. Hey I just put in 10,000 for a new engine. No reason I'm not going to pass that along.
When I'm buying I'm thinking. Hey cool the slep just put in a new engine, but no way I'm paying more for this boat than this model is worth.
What you guys say is absolutely true, I've experienced it both on buying and selling. I've been guilty on both sides. What I'm not sure I understand is why it's true.
In a tailorable boat a new outboard is usually sold either separately or for a price just a little off list.
Of course the big difference is that the seller has the sell it separately option.