stern drive vs vee drive vs straight inboard

[jmccall001]

Got permission from the wife to get a bigger boat. Have a 26 ft sea ray, she and I both want bigger cabin area.<br />Looking at 30-31' boats(can handle them alone) the variance in drives is amazing. Which will handle better in docking of the three drives, which is more reliable and has less break downs? The vee drive seems to be a good compromise/ any thoughts?<br />Thanks

 

[QC]

Re: stern drive vs vee drive vs straight inboard

First, and most importantly, congratulations on the permission! <br /><br />Single screw? Simplest is the straight inboard so maintenance costs should be the lowest and reliability the best, but the vee-drive will be close. I would expect the vee-drive and the inboard to have similar docking performance. The vee-drive boats, usually have the most cabin room, but can be matched by the I/Os in this department. I/O's while the most efficient on fuel just don't seem right to me in a 30+ footer, plus they are the worst on maintenance. I have experience docking a 35 footer with a single screw straight inboard and it was reasonably easy to control. I have a lot of experience with I/Os, but in smaller boats. Their problems backing to port make me concerned about them in a large boat. I guess this is solved with a Bravo 3 or Duo-prop. My .02

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: stern drive vs vee drive vs straight inboard

I would opt for a twin V-Drive set up. Especially sence this boat is not trailerable. Great handeling charecteristics. Low maintaince, well, lower than I/O anyway.

 

[Norm Malcosky]

Re: stern drive vs vee drive vs straight inboard

John, <br />In that size range, I would option for a pair of Volvo Penta Ocean drives. Get the speed and fuel economy of sterndrives because the cost of marine fuel is only going up. Get dual props on each drive, if you can afford the extra $$. The VP is probably the best sterndrive system - with acceptably low maintenance.<br /><br />I have a 32' with twin VP stern drives and it handles like a dream. Docking is a non-issue with twin sterndrives and you can venture into shallow shoreline waters without fear of damage. <br /><br />If I had the Admiral's OK for a new boat - only the choice of boat type (express, sportfisherman, cc, . . .?) would be the issue. Sounds like a great spring, boat shopping is always fun.<br /><br />Norm . . .

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: stern drive vs vee drive vs straight inboard

I have to go along with the sterndrives. Point the drives and the boat responds immediately. Ruddered boats require motion to respond. You can actually parallel park a boat with drives. You need thrusters and such with ruddered boats (or a whole lotta room). For pure efficiency in the open water, the inboard (cruising). If you're into speed (planing), the V-drive may be better than a straightline configuration.

 

[AaronG]

Re: stern drive vs vee drive vs straight inboard

I wouldn't get the Vee drive. My father-in-law had a 30' Century with twin Vee drive 305's. Everything was hard to do on that boat. His new boat has normal inboards. Everything is much easier. <br /><br />Sterndrives definately handle the best. There is no substitute for being able to turn the drives rather than a rudder. More maintenence though.

 

[Buttanic]

Re: stern drive vs vee drive vs straight inboard

Handling differences between a twin screw straight or vdrive inboard and an IO is a non-issue. If the boat is staying in the water stay away from the IO like bird flue. I would never ever have a 30+ foot IO boat that stayed in the water especially salt water, can you say maintenance nightmare. If you notice, most of the replies favoring the IO are from fresh water areas. The straight inboard is generally less cramped when it comes to doing routine maintenance. If you do it yourself this might be something to consider.

 

[AaronG]

Re: stern drive vs vee drive vs straight inboard

My I/O boat stays in a salt water slip. I don't have any trouble. I just regularly do the manifolds, bellows, and water pump. I also paint the outdrive with anti-fouling paint every season. Nothing grows on it. <br /><br />Lots of I/O's in slips in wildwood, NJ.