How Ordering a Mercury Works at HBW This is our actual process, not a generic dealer walkthrough. Six steps, in the order they happen. ### Overview: The 6-Step Process 1. Configuration - Choose your motor and options 2. Consultation - Review with us 3. Deposit - Secure your...
Quick answer: A Mercury order at HBW: build a configurator quote, confirm it with us by phone, put down the deposit, Mercury ships the motor to our Gores Landing shop, you drop the boat off, we install it and run a Lake Test on Rice Lake, and you pick it up. Timing depends on the motor and season; your written quote and sales agreement are the source of truth for dates, deposit, and refund terms. Start at mercuryrepower.ca.
How Ordering a Mercury Works at HBW
This is our actual process, not a generic dealer walkthrough. Six steps, in the order they happen.
Overview: The 6-Step Process
- Configuration - Choose your motor and options
- Consultation - Review with us
- Deposit - Secure your order
- Preparation - Motor and boat prep
- Installation - Mounting and rigging at our shop
- Lake Test - Verification on Rice Lake and handover
One seasonal note up front: our shop is closed December 1 through April 1. We quote and take orders all winter, and installs happen in season. Ordering in winter is smart; it just means the wrench work starts when we reopen.
Step 1: Configuration
What Happens:
- Determine horsepower needs
- Choose motor family (FourStroke, Pro XS, or Verado, which is special order at HBW)
- Select shaft length
- Pick options (CT, DTS, colour, etc.)
Your Preparation:
- Know your boat's max HP rating from the capacity plate
- Measure transom height accurately
- List must-have features
- Set your budget range
Timeline: Can be done in one visit or over several discussions
Start here: Build your quote
Step 2: Consultation
What Happens:
- Review your motor selection with us
- Discuss rigging requirements
- Review controls and gauges
- Get complete pricing quote
- Understand timeline
Key Questions to Ask:
- Is this motor in stock or ordered?
- What is included in the price?
- How long until installation?
- What warranty is included?
What We Do:
- Check inventory and order availability
- Assess your boat (if repower)
- Identify any needed modifications
- Provide a written quote
Step 3: Deposit
Deposit at HBW: a fixed amount based on the selected motor, not a percentage of the total. Your online quote shows the exact deposit, including any model-specific reservation offer. Deposit and refund terms are set out in your written quote and sales agreement.
What It Covers:
- Reserves your motor
- Commits an installation slot
- Locks pricing as set out in your agreement
- Starts the order process
Payment Options:
- Cash/cheque
- Credit card
- Financing arranged in advance (ask us about current options)
Important Documents:
- Written sales agreement
- Itemized pricing
- Estimated completion date
- Deposit terms (refundability)
Step 4: Preparation
Our Preparation:
- Order the motor if not in stock
- Receive and inspect it when it arrives from Mercury
- Pre-rig controls and gauges
- Prepare installation materials
Your Preparation:
- Drop the boat off at our Gores Landing shop. We can generally arrange boat pickup. Ask us about availability for your boat and location. HBW does not deliver boats, ship motors, offer mobile, dockside, or on-site service, recommend transport providers, or quote third-party transport.
- Old motor removal can be part of the job; ask when quoting
- Address any transom issues we flagged
- Clear the boat for work
Boat Assessment:
- Transom condition
- Existing wiring
- Steering system
- Fuel system compatibility
Step 5: Installation
What Is Involved:
- Mount the motor on the transom
- Install controls (throttle, shift)
- Connect wiring and gauges
- Install fuel line connections
- Set up steering
- Initial programming
Timeline:
- Rigging time depends on the boat and the approved scope; your written quote covers it
- Repower timing depends on parts, findings, current shop capacity, and safe test conditions
- Complex jobs receive a job-specific written work plan
Quality Checks:
- All connections tight
- Electrical tested
- Controls function properly
- No leaks anywhere
Step 6: Lake Test
We put the boat in Rice Lake and prove the install before you take it home.
What Happens:
- Motor run-in procedure begins
- Verify proper operation
- Adjust trim and settings
- Test all controls
- Check gauge accuracy and confirm WOT RPM is in spec
Your Participation:
- Be there if you can
- Learn the motor's operation
- Ask questions
- Note any concerns
Pickup Includes:
- Owner's manual review
- Break-in instructions
- Warranty registration
- Service schedule
- Emergency procedures
Anything the Lake Test surfaces gets sorted before you pick the boat up. That is the point of testing it ourselves.
Timeline Expectations
In-stock motor: HBW confirms the installation slot after reviewing the boat, rigging scope, required parts, and current shop capacity. The Lake Test is scheduled after rigging is complete.
Ordered motor: Mercury availability and freight come first; installation scheduling follows once the exact motor and required rigging are confirmed. The written quote or work plan is the timing source for the job.
Do not plan a launch date around a generic blog estimate. Seasonal demand, boat condition, parts, and configuration all affect timing.
What to Prepare
For Repower Projects:
- Current motor info (for trade assessment)
- Boat registration
- Previous service records
- List of any known issues
For New Boats:
- Purchase documentation
- Any dealer requirements
- Trailer considerations
For All Purchases:
- Financing arrangements, if you're using them
- Insurance information
- Planned use details
Common Questions During Process
Can I speed this up?
Sometimes. An in-stock motor and flexible timing on your end help the most. Ask us and we'll tell you straight what's possible.
What if something changes?
Tell us early and we'll adjust what we can. Specification changes may affect pricing and timeline.
When do I pay the balance?
Typically when the motor is installed and ready for its Lake Test. Review the payment terms in your agreement.
Start Your Order
Harris Boat Works has been a Mercury dealer since 1965.
