North River Inboard or Outboard

[Snoslyder]

Ok folks, I am new to this site and am gearing up to buy my first sled. I am hoping to get input from y'all about your opinion on the differences between outboard and inboard power plants. I am looking at the 19' Mariner with a 115hp outboard or the 19' Trapper with the 305 Chevy/2 stage Kodiak pump. They are the exact same hull designs and accessories aside, I wonder what the advantages and disadvantages are between the two? Lemme know what you think. :shrug:

[Tall-tailer]

With a jet pump, it is not uncommon to pick up something that will clog the pump. Inboard typically your done for the day as it usually requires that the boat be on a trailer to clear the pump. Outboards can often times be cleared by tilting the motor up along side a dock or at the edge of the river. This year alone I have picked up two pieces of rope and one 55 gal black trash bag. My next pump will be an outboard.

[Fish Mode]

...and with a boat that size, you would want as much space you can get to fish with if its going to be more than two people on board. I myself would go with the outboard pump for space, as well as the durability of such compared to an I/O. I have a 355 chev and it's quite the hastle to do some maintanence compared to my 9.9 honda, to the degree though! Hope you make the right decision! Oh yeah, one more thing, go with the offshore bracket, it's mucho more clean :rolleyes:

David

EDIT: OH HEY! Welcome to the site, it's a common tradition here to share a fishy story here for your initiation :shrug:
Have it good :wave:

[backlash442]

I had been looking at the Mariner and Seahawk OB when I ended up buying a 19' Seahawk IO. Go figure. Seriously though since I owned an IO before it wasn't a big deal. I climb all over the motor box when fishing. Sit on it when trolling. Dog and kids lay on it. I don't mind it. However, it would be nice to have that extra room to walk around. You probably loose 16 sq.ft (guess) by having a motor box. If I'm only fishing two it's not a big deal but I've fished as many as five and that extra space would have been very handy. If I was going to do it again I'd go OB and get another 2 feet.

[foxer]

If you go outboard jet, you will want much more than 115hp on that 19ft'r. Also, jets don't worko on offshore brackets.

[Snoslyder]

What's an offshore bracket used for? 90% of the water that I wold be in is small to medium rivers ( ie: lower Mckenzie, lower Umpqua) and high lakes. Tillamook bay Winchester bay and Gold Beach are a few bays I am familiar with, but as far as offshore usage I would have to say that I probably would not be running much if at all.

[BloodNtheboat]

If you go outboard jet, you will want much more than 115hp on that 19ft'r.


I agree I have an 18 foot superveee and I wish I had more power, 115 Merc.
If you do go with the outboard get the most motor that your boat can handle(coast guard rating) you wont be sorry.

[Fish Mode]

jets don't worko on offshore brackets.



Oh, hehe :grin: my bad guys :blush: - hey it was late :sleep:

I guess I got carried away :nerd:

Well, I guess it's all about your motor type preference. I hope you choose the right one for your needs

[No Luck]

Snoslyder

If you plan on using the boat in white water a lot or skinny water I would recommend the inboard.

I have two boats a 22’ North River with a 454 and 212 pump and an 18’ North River with a 130 Honda pump. If you plan on using it in serious white water you will get a lot of cavitation with the out board.

Good Luck

[weekender]

Good luck with this one. I have a 19' NR Ranger with a 350 and kodiak. When I am in the smaller rivers (Santiam) I love the inboard. No way I would trade it for the power of an outboard. In the medium size rivers its kind of a wash. I sit on it most of the day and it rarely gets in the way. On lakes and Astoria, I'd much rather have an outboard.

You should fish out of both of them before you commit to either.

[No Luck]

I have never found the engine cover to be in the way! Most of the time someone is sitting on it. Catching fish is no big deal just step around and over it. When I’m trolling I sit on it between the cushion and the back of the boat. And the wife and daughter use it to tan on witch lets me fish in piece. I have actually found the front windows to be more trouble than the engine cover. I suppose if you were hauling crab pots it would take up that space.

My open boat with the outboard has a removable captains chair where you guessed it right where the engine cover would be go figure. :shrug:

[Mr. Carp]

Go outboard. More efficient, quiter, and they save fishing room. If you are getting an outboard, spend the extra money and get a Yamaha. You won't be sorry.