New engine prices, US vs. Canada

[dhornsey]

I just mentioned in another thread that we're planning to repower soon, to something in the neighborhood of 30hp. I was wondering if anyone had done any research whether new engines are similar in price on both sides of the border? With the dollar close to even, would I be better off picking something up down in Washington?

For comparison, I've just been quoted $8,700 for a new Yanmar 3ym30 here in Vancouver. Including transmission, panel, harness, and mounts.

Any advice appreciated. Thanks!

[Valiente]

I can't speak to your specifics, but when the Canadian dollar was eight cents above the U.S., I opened a U.S. dollar account and socked some cash in there on the basis that I could address this sort of question. With the dollars now within two cents of par for the last few months, I've made money just by sitting tight, but the purpose of it was to shop U.S.A. if the Canadian suppliers didn't want to charge at least at par with their counterparts south of here.

The Canuck buck has been at par or better for many months now. There's no excuse to get gouged on the basis of patriotism, unless it's tied to convenience, proximity or a mechanic you prize dearly.

[Northeaster]

I priced a Yanmar 3YM20, with the local Yanmar dealer, who was within $100 of a price I got form a boatyard in New England, around $6800 + tax. I think it was $6900 in New England!!

I am still waiting for a price on a Beta Marine BD722, from Maine, as I don't know of any local Beta dealers. If I repower, the Beta is not much longer than my current 2GM, and can be ordered to fit the existing 2GM beds.

I was happy to see that the local Yanmar dealer is passing on some of his better buying power, to the customers.

When I bought tandem 600lb drop axles in the fall, to build a trailer, a local Dexter dealer wanted $2900 + tax. I bought them in Maine for just over half of that!!

I try hard to support local, but only to a point!

[Freesail99]

I got a price on a 29hp Vetus engine $5865.00. That was a few months back.

[CaptKermie]

It depends on the product one is buying outside the country. Sometimes warranties are not carried across the border as in some automobiles. A good example comes to mind; Bombardier (BRP) of Canada sells the Evinrude E-tec engine at substantially lower prices in the USA than Canada. The US dealers risk having their supplies revoked for selling to Canadians and Canadians do not get a warranty from Bombardier for going south, they are held hostage by Bombardier to purchase in Canada at a higher premium price. Both the dealer & purchaser are penalized for trying to provide/obtain a deal. Not sure what other companies follow this practice but I would be careful which product I bought south of the 49th. Most hard goods and consumer products are unaffected, but anything that requires term warranties or term servicing needs to be researched.