#Inboard vs sterndrive driver#

Many a boat has been lost to sea after their inboard caught fire. The major downside to the inboard is its ability to cause a fire hazard. Moving the transmission inside the ship also means more cabin space. That means they also have better torque and horsepower. They are far more expensive, and their size makes them difficult to load onto a trailer, but they’re also the fuel-efficient alternative since they are modeled after car engines. While they require a large box in the middle of the ship to hold the engine, they are quieter than their outboard counterparts and better for entertaining guests. Weighing the pros and cons is difficult as those that enjoy inboard motors like them for a few vital reasons. Larger vessels also use inboard motors but require larger varieties that cannot be rear mounted on the hull. Fishing boats on the high seas rely on these for their lower center of gravity, while slalom skiers enjoy their smaller wake. You can identify an inboard by the separate rudder used to steer the ship. Outboards are also larger, which means less room for entertaining guests on a smaller or lightweight boat. Larger boats simply cannot rely on one outboard motor alone, unless you want to spend your life savings in gasoline. The drawback of this motor style is its power level. Outboard motors are known for their reliability. That same simplicity carries over to servicing an outboard, though you won’t have to do that very often. Upgrading to a new, powerful motor is an easy DIY task. The positioning also makes swapping out the motor simple. Outboard propellers are capable of being lifted entirely out of the water, as well, making storing them a breeze and eliminating any growth from sitting in the water at a dock. The engine is easily accessed with its rear mounting position, providing a handle grip for steering as well as tilting. Often the first choice for fishing, recreational, and light commercial inshore boats, these motors provide ease of use alongside a reliable component. inboards typically hold their value better though.The market for used outboard motors is enormous.

the initial cost is generally lower and less gas expense. if you'll be cruising most of the time and occasional wakeboarder, the i/o could be what you want. If water sports are what you'll be doing the most, get the inboard.

#Inboard vs sterndrive driver#

boat wakes are no problem, again driver skill is the factor. Riding a wakeboard in chop is not fun so most inboards hit the water early or late around here. can be a little unnerving for the less experienced but inboards can handle 1-3' fine if you're willing to slow down a bit. riding a bit lower in the water will also make the chop seem bigger. on a calm day there's really no difference but in 2-3' you'll notice it.anyone riding in the back won't be able to miss it. that means inboards will have a somewhat wetter ride from spray since you're sitting lower in the water.

i/o's generally, though not always, have more freeboard. skill of the driver has much to do with that. Also makes untangling ski/wakeboard rope from the prop quite the chore when you have to dive under the boat to do it.Īgree that inboards can be a little more uncomfortable in chop. If you mangle an inboard prop, you are going to have a heck of a time changing it while holding your breath. If you run anywhere near shallow water, or have worries about it, the I/O can be trimmed up or a prop replaced while in the water. I wouldn't let it be the determining factor, as an extra few hundred in bellows/etc every 3-5 years isn't much to be concerned with. The I/O will be more expensive for maintenance, but not appreciably so. If you were into slalom skiing, then it's about impossible to make an I/O have the flat wake of a tournament ski boat. For wakeboarding, I know that v-drive tournament boats are boat of choice by avid boarders, but an I/O can make a great wake for boarders as well, so that's really a preference thing. Our extensive range of sterndrive, inboard and tow sport engines is the most comprehensive lineup in the industry, all engineered to provide the best possible boating experience. They will also get significantly better fuel economy for the same reason. No matter what type of boating interests you most, Mercury MerCruiser can power it better than anyone else. The I/O's will tend to do better in chop than any inboard will, simply due to the ability to trim the drive to change the attitude of the boat. Re: Sterndrive Bowriders vs inboard wakeboard boats? Rough water ride?