Are Yamaha Outboard Motor Covers Worth the Investment?

We get it. Yamaha outboard motor covers are yet another thing you are told you need to buy for your engine. But is this investment necessary? This area is subjective in some ways, but in other ways, it is not.

One issue is cosmetic. Do you want your Yamaha outboard’s cowling to look new and shiny for as long as possible? Yet another issue is not cosmetic but is part of your overall effort to maintain your engine. Your Yamaha’s cowling is like the skin on your body. Just as our skin does a great job of protecting our body’s systems, your cowling protects its own precious cargo—your engine.

Just as our skin takes a lot of abuse—sun damage, cuts, bruises, environmental contamination—so does your cowling. In the southern states, UV rays are especially intense. For example, boats and engines alike spend a lot of time baking nearly year-round in the Florida sun. In the northern states, boats may not be exposed for as many months of the year and the UV rays might not be quite as strong, but a lot of damage can still be done.

Another source of harm is trailering. If you trailer your boat, your cowling is likely to be struck by stones, rocks, and other road debris as you tool down the highway. Scratches and dings are the low end of the damage—cracks and punctures in your Yamaha cowling are more serious.

Finally, environmental elements like saltwater spray or acid rain could collide with your cowling at some point. Yamaha outboard covers do not eliminate all of these problems, but they sure do help a great deal.

Yamaha outboard motor covers are made of durable SurLast solution-dyed polyester fabric. SurLast fabric offers strong protection against the harsh marine environment. The fabric is nonabrasive; water-resistant; and resistant to UV rays, mold, and mildew. Yamaha outboard engine covers are also designed to perfectly fit your specific Yamaha outboard engine model.

But are Yamaha outboard motor covers worth the money?

We’ll present you with the facts, and you can be the judge.

Your Yamaha cowling will become damaged by the sun, road debris, and other environmental factors if it is left uncovered when your boat is docked, on a lift, in storage, or being transported. Given this, we think it is best to calculate the risk-reward ratio of investing in a Yamaha outboard motor cover and go from there.

Prevention

Cost of Yamaha outboard motor covers: $35 to $152, depending on engine size.

Repair

Cost of a new Yamaha top cowling assembly: $300 to $1,900 Cost of refurbishing and repainting a Yamaha cowling: $350 to $750.

DIY Yamaha Cowling Rehab

Cost of Yamalube Marine Spray Paint: About $21 to $45, depending on engine size

Cost of Yamaha OEM replacement decals: $62 to $130.

Cost of your time: Add your own dollar amount here.

So, you be the judge. We believe Yamaha outboard motor covers are well worth the cost to protect your outboard when it is not in use, but you will come to your own conclusion.

Proper Yamaha maintenance requires genuine Yamaha outboard parts and products – PartsVu is happy to help.