Why NLA Parts Are Hard to Find — And Why We Have Them
If you own an older boat motor, finding replacement parts can feel impossible. Most dealers don’t stock slow-moving, older, or discontinued parts. Manufacturers stop producing them after a certain period — and once they do, they’re gone. That’s when boats get sent to the junkyard.
At US Boatworks, we decided a long time ago that wasn’t good enough. Our owner spends over 2,000 hours every year scouring the country for hard-to-find parts. When we find them, we buy them, ship them to our Kansas City warehouse, review each one for quality, and put them on the shelf ready to ship.
It’s a significant investment — and yes, NLA parts are sometimes more expensive than when they were new. That’s the reality of high demand and low supply. But the alternative is a boat that doesn’t run and shops that don’t want to take the time to supply them.
Also worth noting — a part that cost $15 in 2004 simply costs more today. Inflation is real. If you find an old price online and our price looks higher, that’s why. We price fairly based on what it costs us to source, inspect, and stock these parts — not what they sold for two decades ago.
We cover Mercury, Mercruiser, Evinrude, Johnson, OMC, and Volvo Penta. Use the lookup links below to search our NLA inventory, or call us at 913-342-0011 — if we don’t have it, we’ll tell you straight and help you find it.Most Asked Questions
Why is it challenging to find replacement parts for older boat motors?
Manufacturers stop producing parts for older engines after a certain period. Most dealers won’t stock slow-moving or obsolete components because they take up warehouse space and tie up capital. When demand outpaces supply, parts become NLA — No Longer Available from the manufacturer. That’s where US Boatworks comes in.
How does US Boatworks source NLA boat parts?
Our owner personally spends over 2,000 hours every year sourcing hard-to-find parts from suppliers across the country. When we find quality NLA parts, we buy them, inspect them, and stock them in our Kansas City warehouse ready to ship. It’s a significant investment of time and money — but it means we have parts most suppliers gave up on years ago.
Why might NLA parts cost more than when they were new?
Simple supply and demand. When a part is discontinued and demand remains high, prices go up. We’re honest about that. What we can tell you is that every NLA part we sell has been inspected for quality — we won’t sell you a part that won’t do the job.
Also worth noting — a part that cost $15 in 2004 simply costs more today. Inflation is real. If you find an old price online and our price looks higher, that’s why. We price fairly based on what it costs us to source, inspect, and stock these parts — not what they sold for two decades ago.
How can I search US Boatworks' NLA inventory?
Use the brand-specific lookup links on this page to search our NLA inventory by part number or description. If you can’t find it online, call or text us at 913-342-0011 — we have thousands of parts in stock that aren’t listed online due to frequently changing inventory.
Which brands are covered in your NLA inventory?
We carry NLA parts for Mercury, Mercruiser, Evinrude, Johnson, OMC, and Volvo Penta. Use the links below to search by brand, or call us if you’re not sure where to start.