Outboard vs Inboard - New look and ???

Captn · 02-17-2003, 07:06 PM

I was talking with one of the better boat manufactures at the out door show and the subject came up about the power plants he would recommend on some of the boats he was now manufacturing.

I asked if he thought that with the new 4-stroke motors, that inboards made as much sense as they once did.

His reply kind of surprised me. He said that with the newer outboard engines, and being able to get 3, 4 and even 5 year warranties right out of the box, that there was even less reason to consider the constant maintenance problems of an inboard.

I had not thought about it like that before but it makes sense.

Any other thoughts on this subject , especially with the sea-drives getting to be so popular?

Chaps · 02-17-2003, 09:55 PM

Well it's not surprising that a builder would find many reasons to favor the new outboards . . . it makes their life easier since O/B boats are easier to build and they generate far fewer warranty issues. As far as owning them IMO the outboards present an easier maintenance situation and better performance for the weight. That, and I really dislike I/O's for a bunch of reasons. Straight inboards are pretty easy to live with but are hard to engineer into small boats and have room left for anything else. Pretty tough to beat a modern 4 stroke or DI 2 stroke O/B

Captn · 02-17-2003, 10:26 PM

The idea of the seperate unit, that can be removed/replaced with low maintenance, good power to weight ratio. I like that too.

The point that some make is most of the parts for inboards are fairly easy to obtain, but frequently very difficult to put in.

I (from some personal experience) like the fact that an outboard does not effect the water tight integrety of the vessel.

My point was/is that I think as time goes on, there will be less of a call for inboards, as the outboards continue to become better and better built, and therefore better values.

More room in the boat, and sea-drives more and more common. Crap, I am working myself up here -- I certainly don't need another boat.

I'l be interested in some other points of view

Mr. Fisherman · 02-17-2003, 11:09 PM

My last boat was an inboard, My new to me one is an outboard.

I will eventually upgrade to a 4 stroke.
Before I made my decision I was considering purchasing an inboard boat that had a great hull and retrofitting it with an off shore bracket for an outboard. This can be done and it drastically improves the performance of the boat. At least that is what my research produced. The most impressive retrofit that I found was a 22' Olympic that was converted. It would do 55 MPH with a 150 HP Outboard with the off shore bracket. The old 350 I/O would only do 38 mph (reported by the owner).
In addition it provided valuable space for an in floor fish box and a larger fuel cell. Lots more room to fish too....

Threemuch · 02-18-2003, 12:10 PM

When you say Sea Drive, do you mean a outboard on a bracket? Because sea drives aren't becoming more popular, esp. since OMC doesn't make them any more.

I like my outboard, but I would trade it for an IO in a heartbeat. Economy and range. Cheap replacement too. 4Stroke big HP (>130hp) outboards are pretty new. I would love a 225 honda or yammie on my boat, but 20K is a bunch of clams.

KB

ToneFish · 02-18-2003, 12:23 PM

Mr. Fisherman: Do you know of a shop that has experience in adding an off shore bracket to a former inboard boat. I have been thinking about doing that, and i was interested in trying to get an idea as to cost of the bracket.
Thanx
Tone Fish

fish assassin · 02-18-2003, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Threemuch:
When you say Sea Drive, do you mean a outboard on a bracket? Because sea drives aren't becoming more popular, esp. since OMC doesn't make them any more.

I like my outboard, but I would trade it for an IO in a heartbeat. Economy and range. Cheap replacement too. 4Stroke big HP (>130hp) outboards are pretty new. I would love a 225 honda or yammie on my boat, but 20K is a bunch of clams.

KB

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">For $20K you could have a 250 hp diesel with the "duo prop" outdrive!

-assAssin-

gimmeumpqua · 02-18-2003, 01:00 PM

I agonized over this before I decided on an offshore bracket with an outboard. Maintenance and fishing space were priorities for me. I didn't want to "winterize" multiple times per winter as I use my boat in cold weather. And as one other on this thread pointed out, the hull is not breached by an outdrive....I think I read somewhere that other than a wave coming over the transom, outdrive flooding is the most common cause of sinking.

The offshore bracket provides flotation for the motors, as well as a full transom height. The only disadvantage I saw to an outboard was that I couldnt have a heater!!!

Kurt

Chaps · 02-18-2003, 04:42 PM

Alot of the guides that run offshore up on Vancouver Island convert I/O's to bracketed outboards but they have to beef up the transoms quite a bit to handle the weight & thrust. As far as heat goes . . . add a Wallas diesel heater to your cabin, runs off a 2 gallon tank.

corrirod · 02-18-2003, 08:06 PM

Tonefish,

I can't remember their name but I'm sure someone on this board can. The marine/boat store just outside of Garibaldi does these retrofits. I watched them change an old cuddy cabin boat over from an I/O to a 225 outboard. Actually looked really good and made for a ton of deck space which the owner was going to turn into fish/crab holds.

At the time he said they were doing quite a few of those. He was promoting it with any customers that came in with old dead motors.

Here is a site I found on the internet that sells these types of brackets.
Outboard brackets

As for me, after owning both, I'd go with an outboard. Too many reasons, most already listed here, minimal winterizing, more space, better performance, easy to replace, easier to maintain. Another reason is they are easy to upgrade. If you want a newer model or more horsepower all you do is replace it. Sell the old one and put on a new one. Not quite so easy with the I/O's.

Just my opinion.

Beer Waggin · 02-18-2003, 11:16 PM

I have been considering this same thought with in my recent searches for a new boat.
The space you gain with an outboard is an obvious plus, although with the addition of a swim deck over an I/O you gain valuable cooler placement.
Outboards are still my number one choice right now, but.......

Mr. Fisherman · 02-19-2003, 01:34 AM

Tonefish, the outfit I was considering is in Washington. I don't have any experience with the Garibaldi shop that Rod is talking about but it would make sense to check them out cause they are closer.
I'll follow up and post the info on the Washington outfit when I get a chance anyway.

Stryker · 02-24-2003, 08:21 AM

I like outboards for one basic reason... From the very first outboard ever made it was made to be used on water. They have always been engineered for the marine environment. Every improvement made to the outboard was designed to work in the wet world.

My opinion

WP · 02-25-2003, 07:38 AM

When I went shopping for a boat, three things were considered absolutely: ocean capable (in my opinion), trailerable, and outboard (inboard through a packing gland would have been O.K.), no I/O or "V" drive . I have had all of them and I think the OB stands out for reliability, cost, space, and safety. As the years go by, they get even better. The new 4 stokes are the optimal mix for the small boater.
IMHO, WP :smile: :smile: