inboard or outboard?

[millerpdt]

looking for a combo boat-mostly pleasure cruising, skiing,tubing and occassionally fishing-my question- inboard or outboard- general consensus-don't need anything real technical-i am brand new to boating and would like some opinions-power, maintenance, preference? thanks

 

[thornious]

Re: inboard or outboard?

just bought an outboard, but I think if I ahd to do it over I would have bought a big v8 I\O. Just seem like less problems as they get older. Just a thought

 

[boatneck]

Re: inboard or outboard?

You found the right place to get info. I was a newbie to power boats and learned a lot from this site.I bought a runabout deck boat(Hurricane 188GS) with a Yamaha 4-stroke outboard. I was warned about high cost of repair/maintenance of I/O. An inboard is nice but much more pricey to buy/maintain. A real important thing for me was the dealer and how they do warranty/maintenance work since my boat is on a lift at my dock and I didn't buy a trailer. They do house calls and only charge me a nominal fee for travel time. I figure I'm ahead since a trailer in my case would just be in the way along the driveway, rusting.

 

[DJ]

Re: inboard or outboard?

millerpdt,<br /><br />Pros and cons.<br /><br />An outboard is lighter. Even the bigger (200+ hp) outboards are 2/3 the weight of a similar hp. I/O.<br /><br />Outboards are simpler to winterize.<br /><br />Outboards are easier to maintain.<br /><br />I/O's (sometimes) provide greater fuel economy. The outboards are catching up.<br /><br />If you trailer, outboards are lighter.<br /><br />Outboards have a higher hp/weight ratio.<br /><br />Longevity. Both will live a long time (if maintained). VERY few outboards or I/O's die of old age or use. They die from lack or improper maintenance.<br /><br />As you can see, I am biased toward outboards. I have worked on both, and much prefer standing next to an outboard as opposed to working upside down in the bilge.

 

[Terry H]

Re: inboard or outboard?

You forgot one important item Dj...boats with outboard motors have much more usable space inside...just a Thought

 

[lepper]

Re: inboard or outboard?

personaly I like outboards.... easier to get to, lighter, and leaves (as was said above) a BUTT load more room in the boat.... which I like.

 

[RJS]

Re: inboard or outboard?

Outboards are easier to manuever. Plus, you won't have a hole in your transom. Only bad can come from this. If you keep your boat in the water, you can entirely lift an OB out of the water. Not as much of an issue in freshwater.

 

[frroog]

Re: inboard or outboard?

One thing I like about outboards is IF you need to repower for more HP or because of a problem it's ALOT easier

 

[h2oTherapy]

Re: inboard or outboard?

I like my outboard for all the above reasons, plus an additional good one: granted I am no expert, but a lighter engine in the back makes for a shallower/faster start to plane condition. I do a lot of boating on the Wisconsin river, which can be very shallow in places. I have watched I/O's get a lot of damage just trying to plane out (almost had one sink once due to the "hole-in-transome" mentioned above).<br />A negative though is that (excluding expensive 4 stroke outbaords) i/o's seem to be quieter.<br />JMO<br />H2O

 

[oldboat1]

Re: inboard or outboard?

Don't rule out an inboard (true inboard, not an I/O) depending on what you are after in a boat. Aside from ski boats, most inboards are cruisers -- but if you have in mind a somewhat larger boat, think about an inboard in terms of simplicity.

 

[Adam F.]

Re: inboard or outboard?

Like RJS says, You don't have a big hole in your boat. I've seen many unattended I/O's go down in their slip because the rubber boot begins to leak, the bildge pump constantly runs draining the battery. The bildge fills up and when the water reaches the air vent, she sinks like a rock. Of course the prudent skipper will check their bildge for water every day and usually keep their boat maintained properly, so an I/O can be an excellent choice for quietness and fuel economy. But those 4-strokes are nice too!<br />Adam

 

[TxRiverRat]

Re: inboard or outboard?

He never said I/O... True inboards do not require anymore maintenance than any other boat. In fact, my I/O cost me ALOT more in maintenance. If you are only doing occasional fishing, and alot of watersports, go with the inboard - there's no comparison...

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: inboard or outboard?

From what I have seen in both the Florida Boat Classified Magazines and the Canadian Boat Bike & Rv Trader Magazine; OUTBOARDS always seem to hold there value better. <br />Even used dealers prices seem to reflect this. Identical deck boats O/B vs. I/O. If the hulls are in comparable condition the O/b's usually have the higher asking price.<br /><br />I do agree with the fact that O/b's are much easier to work on. No more climbing in the bilge to get to the bottom brackets. <br />To change the alternator belt on my 3.0L OMC, I need a hoist to hold up the engine so that I can disassemble the front mount.<br /><br />I do not know about the actuall part price differences between these engines though. Things like starter's, alternators, water pumps, shafts etc.; any idea's anyone? <br /><br />Just my 2 cetns worth which is only 1 1/2 cents U.S.

 

[RJS]

Re: inboard or outboard?

In regards to true inboards, I have a fiend who retired to Florida and was hell bent on a Shamrock with and inboard (awsome boat). He mostly fished bluewater on charters and was partial to this sort of power. I tried to talk him into an outboard because of the skinny waters he would be encountering. He bought the Shamrock, but is frustrated because he can't fish alot of the water close to home.

 

[oldboat1]

Re: inboard or outboard?

Shamrock is a good inboard choice. PennYan also made smaller tunnel drive models for shallow water running -- actually all tunnel drives are built for shallow water running, whatever the size. (Backing is a little difficult I hear, but is anyway for single engine inboards).<br /><br />If exploring shallow water in creeks, or something similar, an outboard skiff is probably the best choice. For skiing, tubing and fishing (and some cruising in relatively sheltered water), a 17 to 20 foot runabout is probably a good choice for a first boat -- particularly if you intend to trailer it. In that case, I would pick an outboard over an I/O (versatility and simplicity).<br /><br />But you have to try an inboard at some point in your boating career.... And if you hang around a marina a while, or watch the boats move out of the channels toward open water, the sound of those inboards will hook you. And if one of those boats is, say, an old Chris Craft with a pair of finely tuned 327s just idling along, you may never go back -- or at least you will need to be a two boat owner.

 

[TxRiverRat]

Re: inboard or outboard?

As far as resale... I bought my Mastercraft 4 years ago, and the blue book is what I paid for it... I could sell it now for exactly what I paid for it... Does it get better than that, or shoudl I have to try to make money on the deal?

 

[Mumblerone]

Re: inboard or outboard?

The way I look at it is; if you gotta spend $12,000-$18,000 for a motor you may as well be able to look at it. Particularily when you have two! Outboards are the way to go...until you get to the bigger boats.

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: inboard or outboard?

For some reason, I usually prefer the sound of OB, maybe because that's what I prefer. The exception, (Oldboat, you're right), is an old Chris-Craft with the straight 6 or the dual 4 bangers. (see my post on engines) Then we need a Graimlin that drools.

 

[Franki]

Re: inboard or outboard?

What size boat are we talking about??<br /><br />if its a biggie, I'd probably go with an inboard.. particularly if its a modern deasel... very nice..<br /><br />the newer DFI 2 strokes and efi 4 strokes (outboards)are quiet fast light motors that can't be beaten for your usage.. but I also think it depends on the boat in question..<br /><br />but if your a newbie, don't want a huge boat.. and want ease of maintenance, then an outboard is the way to go.... <br /><br />but you will find proponents of both... like I said, it depends on the boat, your level of skill with maintenance, weight etc etc... <br /><br />from the sounds of it, you'd probably benefit more from an outboard.<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />frank

 

[Boatist]

Re: inboard or outboard?

Millerpdt Ok everybody picked outboard but we do not want it to be too easy. I give you some reasons for a I/O. <br />1: If you have worked on car engines you know how to fix the engine in a I/O, because basicly they are the same. The outboards are much harder to tead down and work on motor and need a lot more special tools.<br />2: Should some thing happend while out to sea it is much easier to fix an I/O than outboard. A simple spark pulg very easy on a I/O but try it on a outboard out to sea with a 5 foot swell. Try points and condenser on a I/O no big deal if you carry an extra set like I do. On a outboard you will be calling for a tow.<br />3: Weight on a I/O is heavier, farther foward and lower. In a heavy sea you want the weight low and midship for the best ride. The extra weight helps the ride also.<br />4: In the past much better fuel mileage, and better on enviroment. The new 4 stroke Outboards may be as good or better now and the direct inject 2 strokes are a lot beter than in the past.<br />5: Engine cover makes a nice place for the chicks to streach out in that Mono Bikini. Try that on a outboard.<br />6: I/O have much nicer swim platforms.<br />7: Most outdrives today are not that much different than the outboard lower unit.<br /><br />Just do not want to make it too easy on you, both have some advantages.