Outboards better than sterndrives

[steam_mill]

I live in Ontario Canada. Last year I bought a new boat with a 90 hp Merc. Many sales people tried to convince me on a sterndrive as they were cheaper for a bigger/better(?) boat.<br /><br />I preferred an outboard.<br /><br />Interestingly, I just came back from Miami and a 7 day caribbean cruise. I all I say were outboards.<br /><br />When I mean outboards I mean on very large boats. There were 30' Trojan style boats with 3 and 4 high power (150-225) Yammies on on the back.<br /><br />I took a trip up a river in Belize on a safari boat that was at least 28'. It had 2 200 hp yammies and actually would get on plane and do at least 35 MPH?<br /><br />One of the tenders to get us off the ship had 4 200 hp yammies. It was incredible.<br /><br />Wondering, if indeed an outboard is better than a sterndrive. I've neber seen anything bigger than 20' with an outboard in Canada.<br /><br />Opinions?<br /><br />Joe

 

[Dave Abrahamson]

Re: Outboards better than sterndrives

I like outboards better for the simple reason that they are easier to work on. Plus, they DO give you more room in the boat don't they? (don't have to share floor space with an engine cover).

 

[JB]

Re: Outboards better than sterndrives

I, too, prefer outboards, Steam_Mill.<br /><br />Ease of service, ease to replace, more room in the boat, many more hp per lb.<br /><br />Some prefer the rich exhaust note of a big V8 and the familiarity of engines derived from autos/trucks. In the big hp range, I think they are less bux per hp, too.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Outboards better than sterndrives

I to prefer outboards, for the reasons mentioned above, and the fact that the only hole in the hull below the water line is where the plug goes. I have heard to many horror stories of the seal leaking around the outdrive housing and the boat taking on large amounts of water. I know of a few that have sunk due to this very problem. Outboards just hang on the back and are much easier to remove and replace when it is time to re-power.

 

[DJ]

Re: Outboards better than sterndrives

It as not too long ago that sterndrive power could not be matched by outboards.<br /><br />That spread has become very narrow, especially with large 4-strokes coming on line.<br /><br />Some people do not like the looks of an outboard. That is where aesthetics come in to play.<br /><br />Myself, I prefer an outboard.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Outboards better than sterndrives

I like the fact that if I like a particular boat, an engine swap/upgrade/reconfigure is a couple hours of fun. I've had a 20' Dusky for less than a year and we've already had 2 different engines on it (so far) and added a jackplate. <br /><br />Good luck!

 

[steam_mill]

Re: Outboards better than sterndrives

My curiosity in this matter stems from the fact that growing up I thought that sterndrives were the more expensive boats. <br /><br />I've never owned a sterndrive always an outboard.<br /><br />I bought an outboard for the following reasons:<br />1. I can work on it.<br />2. With our short boating season in Canada (5 months--well I would think 12 months are too short for boating) I something happens to the outboard, I can repower from one weekend to the next. Can't do that with a sterndrive.<br />3. Outboard boat weigh a little less. I only pull my boat out of the water once a year but I can do it with my subaru outback.<br /><br />My surprise when I got down south was sterndrive were no where to be found. What is their advantage?

 

[kd6nem]

Re: Outboards better than sterndrives

And outboards don't leak oil or fuel into the bilge! And they never ignite that fuel they didn't spill into that bilge! (proper maintenance is so much easier when you can get to stuff)<br /><br />For a really big boat I'd have to take a serious look at what diesel inboard options there were, however.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Outboards better than sterndrives

Joe, I like sterndrives! 4 stroke at an affordable price. An engine cover that doubles as a seat or table. People can still talk at high rpm. Fuel economy. Easier to work on (for me anyway). I think usage is a deciding factor on your choice. Aldo

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Outboards better than sterndrives

hello<br /> yep I like sterdrives. they keep me in a nice income bracket <br /> the reason for outboards being so popular now on larger boats is the lack of intensive maint that most stern drives require. another reason is weight. a pair of high revving 200 two strokes still weigh less than a 330 horse bigblock and a bravo 3 drive. I know one guide service in southamerica that ships the outboards back to the states if any major service is needed. we have a few 30 regulators a couple fountains and about 6 or 7 30 grady's at the marina and other than weight and shallow draft there is the advantage of repower in days . the drawback is in fuel. but hey if ya got a 140-160 k in a boat who cares about fuel.I like stern drives but the maint must be done or the headaches and nightmares will start. I have found most car mechanics botch and bodger there way through marine applications and diesels for less than 40 footers get to pricey and incredibly high maint. especially for the average joe that wont run 100 hours a year. <br /> anyway enough ramble<br /> good luck and keep posting and enjoy your 90 <br />ps I can buy a brand new 17ft package with a 200 hp4.3 and a volvo xdp duo-prop for less than a 225 4stroke yammi in the box with a full rigging kit.

 

[Hooty]

Re: Outboards better than sterndrives

Two stroke exhaust smells better.<br /><br />c/6<br />Hooty

 

[DJ]

Re: Outboards better than sterndrives

I/O's and shallow water do not mix. <br /><br />Good for the prop sellers though.

 

[alcan]

Re: Outboards better than sterndrives

I have to agree with Hooty. The is nothing like the smell of 2-strke exhaust at 4:30 in the morning at low tide. It smell like fun,money and sucess. A close second would be diesel smoke combined with low tide,bovine manure or cut trees. Personaly I like all three,out's, in's and I/O's. They each have have pro's and con's.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Outboards better than sterndrives

outboards can be swapped, by 1 person if need be.. ive done it 3 times since october on the same boat..parts are everywhere, even online!easier to work on, at least for a 2 stroke, less parts means less things break, and you can get to the shallow waters easier and you can get to the whole motor in need of repairs.. and you dont need an out drive, personally, any giant (outdrive) hole in your hull below the waterline is just one more patential leak.. if its just for personall use (non deep see trawling) go outboard, although ive even seen deep water outboards too ! good luck have fun

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Outboards better than sterndrives

I love water sports like tubing and skiing so the I/O gets the nod from me...much quieter and less smelly and no engine in the way of the ski rope. Also, I too like the nice, clean look with the engine hidden away. The mechanics of my inboard are very simple as it's basically old car engine technology. (1986 3.0 Cobra) <br /><br />I'm sure the newer ETECS and 4 stroke outboards are nice, but with my budget an older inboard was a better buy.

 

[alexc]

Re: Outboards better than sterndrives

I use mine until water turn to ice. Inboard not recommended in freezing temp. Look at boats in the Mighty River this time of the year, yes they are still out there. They have outboard.<br />150 vmax

 

[BillP]

Re: Outboards better than sterndrives

The problems with I/Os are the drives, not the engines. Like Rodbolt says, do maintenance or get an expensive headache.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Outboards better than sterndrives

BillP, yes there is more maintenance to do, but other than changing the engine oil and drive oil...and preping it for the winter(draining and fogging the engine), there isn't much more to do.<br /><br />I suspect quite a few outboard owners (and I'm one of them too) do little, if any, maintenance at all to their two stroke outboards.

 

[BillP]

Re: Outboards better than sterndrives

The inboard engine isn't the problem...except for exhaust manifolds going bad. Outdrives get trashed from the upper boots/seals going bad and letting water in. I've seen many "young" outdrives need a rebuild from lack of maintenance on this. For trailer boats it isn't such an issue. On larger boats kept in the water it is a major issue. Outboard engine gearcases don't have that problem.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Outboards better than sterndrives

Yup, you have to change the boots regularly if you don't want any problems. (I trailer my boat all the time.)