How far in advance should I plan an order-ahead repower?

Start conversations in November so the order is locked over winter and the motor is on hand for an early-April install when we reopen. Our shop is closed roughly December 1 to April 1, but we take orders by phone and email all winter.

Will my boat be ready for the May long weekend?

If you lock your order in by January or February, yes. We start install work as soon as we reopen in early April, and customers who ordered over winter are at the front of the spring queue.

What about lake testing in winter?

Lake testing happens in spring when the marina reopens and conditions allow. Our shop is closed roughly December 1 to April 1, so no on-water work happens in winter.

Can I do anything to prepare my boat for repower?

Clean out the boat, document any electrical issues, gather all paperwork, and ensure transom access. A clean, accessible boat speeds the install when we reopen in spring.

Winter Repower Planning: Get Ready for Spring

Download the Mercury Repower Planning Worksheet before you compare motors, rigging and install options. ## Winter Repower Planning Winter is the perfect time to plan and order a repower. Your boat sits anyway, so use the off-season to lock in the right motor and a spring...

New Mercury 90hp outboard on a workshop stand during winter, ready for a repower project.

Mercury Premier Dealer·Family-owned since 1947·Mercury dealer since 1965·Gores Landing, ON·Quote builder available

Quick answer: Winter is the best time to plan and order a spring repower. Mercury inventory is open, the spring install queue is unbooked, and we can lock in pricing before the rush. Our shop is closed roughly December 1 to April 1, so the install itself happens once we reopen in early April. Start the configurator quote in January or February for an April or May install. Build yours at mercuryrepower.ca.

Download the Mercury Repower Planning Worksheet before you compare motors, rigging and install options.

Winter Repower Planning

Winter is the perfect time to plan and order a repower. Your boat sits anyway, so use the off-season to lock in the right motor and a spring install slot before everyone else does.

Why Plan a Repower Over Winter?

Timing Advantages:

Order ahead and get first pick of motors before the spring rush
First-in-line for spring install slots when we reopen in early April
More time to compare options carefully
No mid-season scramble if your old motor fails

Potential Savings:

Off-season Mercury promotions
Finance promotions often available
Lock in current pricing before any spring increases
Bundle the order with your fall winterization conversation

Planning Timeline

Note: The marina is closed approximately December 1 to April 1 each year for in-person service and install work. We are available by phone, text, and email throughout the winter to lock in pricing, order motors, and reserve spring install slots. Install work itself happens after we reopen in early April.

November:

Assess current motor condition
Research motor options
Get quotes from dealers
Begin decision process

December-March (marina closed for shop work):

Finalize motor selection by phone or email
Reserve your spring installation slot
Place the order so the motor is on hand for April
Arrange financing if needed

April-May (marina reopens, install work begins):

Installation performed
Lake test when conditions allow
Adjustments and setup
Delivery before the season

Spring repower budget (off-season ordering)

What an order-ahead spring repower actually costs

Locking your order in over winter gets you first pick of motors and an early-spring install. Numbers below are 2026 CAD ranges for a mid-size Mercury FourStroke repower at HBW.

Motor (90 to 150 HP FourStroke)$13,500 to $22,000

Range covers Mercury 90 ELPT through 150 ELPT. Pro XS adds roughly $1,500 to $2,500 over the FourStroke.

Install and rigging$1,200 to $2,400

Mounting, hardware, alignment, water test. Higher end if the transom needs reinforcement.

Control conversion (if needed)$800 to $2,000

Cable to digital, or tiller to side mount. Often required when stepping up from a 2-stroke.

New propeller$350 to $1,200

Sized after sea trial. Standard allowance applies on most installs.

First-year service$200 to $350

Model-specific break-in guidance and maintenance-schedule review. HBW may recommend an optional early check, but it is not a universal Mercury 20-hour requirement.

Mercury Product Protection (optional)$700 to $1,800

8-year total coverage. Best value if you finance or plan to keep the boat past year 5.

Typical out-the-door range$16,000 to $28,000

All pricing CAD, pickup only at Gores Landing. Build your specific quote at mercuryrepower.ca.

Assessment Checklist

You can build a live CAD quote for your repower online at Mercury Repower Centre.

Evaluate Your Current Motor:

Compression test results
Known issues or concerns
Approximate value
Parts availability going forward

Consider Your Needs:

Has your usage changed?
Do you need more/less power?
New features wanted?
Budget reality

Decision Points

Repair vs Repower:

Repair cost exceeding $3,000?
Motor over 15 years old?
Parts becoming scarce?
Want current technology?

If yes to most, repower makes sense.

Working With Your Dealer

Information to Provide:

Boat make/model/year
Current motor details
How you use the boat
Budget range
Feature priorities

What to Expect:

Honest assessment
Clear pricing
Realistic timeline
No pressure decisions

Start Your Repower Conversation

Complete Guide to Repowering Your Boat in the Kawarthas, the full Kawarthas repower playbook
How Much Does a Mercury Repower Cost in Ontario? (2026 CAD Price Guide), transparent 2026 CAD repower pricing
Boat Repowering 101: When to Replace Your Outboard Motor, how to know it's time to replace your motor
Ontario Cottage Owner's Guide: Is It Time to Repower Your Boat?, cottage-specific repower considerations

Ready to price it out? Build a live CAD quote for your repower online at the Mercury Repower Centre.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should I plan an order-ahead repower?: Start conversations in November so the order is locked over winter and the motor is on hand for an early-April install when we reopen. Our shop is closed roughly December 1 to April 1, but we take orders by phone and email all winter.
Will my boat be ready for the May long weekend?: If you lock your order in by January or February, yes. We start install work as soon as we reopen in early April, and customers who ordered over winter are at the front of the spring queue.
What about lake testing in winter?: Lake testing happens in spring when the marina reopens and conditions allow. Our shop is closed roughly December 1 to April 1, so no on-water work happens in winter.
Can I do anything to prepare my boat for repower?: Clean out the boat, document any electrical issues, gather all paperwork, and ensure transom access. A clean, accessible boat speeds the install when we reopen in spring.

Harris Boat Works · 5369 Harris Boat Works Rd, Gores Landing, ON · (905) 342-2153

See all Mercury outboard prices (CAD) · Repower guide · FAQ