Outboard or Inboard/outboard?

[Maddie'sDaddy]

I posted this in life in general ,probably should have been here. What do you guys think is best and easiest to maintain.

[tomictime]

..here is my vote...
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/aft_almar.jpg
but this is a subject with strongly held opinions..I have run IB, I/O and OB and strongly prefer OB. There are some + to I/O, you can et diesel, duoprop and you get some heat on a long run IF you instl heater, you get a box to sit on that can also be in the way. OB technology has come a long way, 4Stroke is heavy but to my mind and experience impressive. I would say go for a ride and see.

JD

[Starfish]

I prefer outboards, since you can run all winter by simply lowering the motor to drain out the water, then head home. They also result in lots of usable space in the boat. Initial price is a bit higher but they seem to require less periodic maintenance. However, when something DOES break it's usually more expensive to fix. There are always tradeoffs.

[fishingls]

Most of new inboard engines from Kem with enclosed cooling require no winterization. They are totally self draining when removed from the water. This is something new in the past couple of years. With pumps, I like inboards because of where I run the boat. Big pumps need lots of torque. If I were running where I only needed a prop boat, then I'd go O/B. Running smaller rivers, doing alot of drift fishing, then O/B with a pump-makes for lots room. Preference will normally be based on how the people are using their boat. Decide how and where you will fish, then you can narrow down power train choices.

[Bluto]

Easiest to maintain... Outboards. The new 4s have come a long way (and just to be fair... so have the Etecs).

[timinthegorge]

Easiest to maintain... Outboards.



As said above, it depends where you plan to fish, but for my money, it's outboards all the way.

[Maddie'sDaddy]

I appreciate all the responses, I will be mostly fishing the rivers around here, and maybe a bay or two. Not counting Bonneville, I will stay away from there unless I am fishing with someone else. I am leaning more towards an outboard cause i had one before and I also like the Room to manouver in the back of the boat. Unfortunately I will be buying used cause thats all i will be able to afford right now. I might even get one motorless for more reasonable and get a newer motor ,will have to wait and see :smile:

Thanks again

[little doc]

There is nothing unfortunate about buying used.
Take your time and get what you want. It will eventually come up for sale. Let someone else pay the initial depreciation. Most of us dont even come close to wearing out a boat before we get tired of it!
Doc.

[Mr. Carp]

OUTBOARD!!!

[lucky2]

Outboards for sure!
1. They're usually lighter than an i/o
2. Take up less room in the boat
3. No winterization
4. IMO - Look Way Cooler!

[tomictime]

Outboards for sure!
1. They're usually lighter than an i/o
2. Take up less room in the boat
3. No winterization
4. IMO - Look Way Cooler!



BEWARE #3..I would say LESS WINTERIZATION...

add #5 easy repower

[Chrome Bumper]

Maintenance is easier on a outboard. You can swap one out in a afternoon if need be. For your use for sure. I have passed on some I/Os at times and regretted. Some of those used 4 banger I/Os are pretty feul efficient.

There are some prety sweet used I/Os going for a good price so don't count them out, but right now I use at home 5 OBs, 0 I/Os, so I guess that's my vote.

At work 80% inboard, balance the rest, in terms of installed HP, 98% inboard, 1.8% I/O, .2% OB.

Tf you are going to use a lot of hours you can justify the extra cost for a fourstroke OB. For 20 trips a year a 2 stroke is fine.

If you don't want more than one boat, get one that is 2 feet longer than the minimum you think you need.

If you are good with a wrench (epoxy, welder) there are some great deals to be found.

Don't forget to have fun!

[Gundog]

Just a little observation I now own a Seahawk with extended bracket but I have owned three different I/O fishing boats in the past. I don't feel the dog house is that big of deal if the boat is long enough if you are talking 18' or under it takes up a lot of space and is a big deal. The dog house does give a good spot to set things like a cutting board for baiting rigging and cleaning your catch. The spot on a extended bracket where a dog house would be is accessible but limited I say that because if you have a fish run behind the engines it is hard to keep them away from the prop. If you could get an I/O that you could walk behind that would be great otherwise you end up in about the same distance walking around the dog house. With larger fishing boats the dog house is either not there or is only 6" or so high and does not creat a problem. My opinion is 24' or less outboard over that I would prefer an inboard with diesel power for economy. I wish I could afford both I some day would like to travel the inside passage from the Puget Sound to Alaska in a 30'+ boat with diesel power capable of 18-20 knots. Oh well that is my dream maybe some day when I retire I hope I can afford it.
GD

[Maddie'sDaddy]

Thanks guys for all the good info, I was thinking a 16' is plenty for my needs but i am probably going to be looking for something between that and 19'. At this point i am really kinda stuck on a O/B. I just like the idea of the siplicity of changing it out if needed. And the open space inside for moving about when there's a hookup :smash:.

Thanks again MD

[lucky2]

Yes,
You are correct about (LESS WINTERIZATION)