When you find yourself having to make a choice regarding boat parts and accessories you should certainly consider a lot of different aspects. Things like brand, price, new vs. used, and style are some of the more important decision points that should be understood and decided upon before making a final choice.Brand plays a big role in the electronics and parts industry. Unlike the clothing industry where branding has almost nothing to do with quality, companies with great brand recognition who make usable products tend to maintain their image by providing high quality products. Off-brand boat parts can be dangerous in that they will not last anywhere near as long as well-made products by the major brands. Brand and price often go hand in hand; a better brand has a better price and vice versa. The trick is to find out which company’s products have a lower price but still maintain a good record of quality products. For example, Mercruiser parts specifically are certainly going to be better than off brand parts designed to fit many types of vehicles. A great way to figure this out is to have a subscription to Consumer Reports, a website that does an amazing job rating all sorts of consumer products.New vs. used is a question that all boat owners need to address at some point. You can get a steal on a used part that will last you a very long time but, at the same time, you have to figure out why the person is selling their part if it is actually a quality part. Do some research and don’t skimp on a used product unless you are sure there’s a good likelihood of being of quality. Know which parts you need by looking at something like a marine outboard parts diagram – it will help you to decide which part you need.