Outboard or Inboard?

hff2 · 04-10-2003, 09:12 PM

I am looking for your collective salty thoughts on this subject. I am planning to buy a used but fairly new boat - walkaround or center console in the 18 - 24 foot range for bay fishing, crabbing, and some close to shore fishing.
What engine type and size have you got? What are the pros and cons in the real world? (I have checked the 2002 archives and there is very little - mostly about jets). Thanks.

04-10-2003, 09:23 PM

First choice, inboard with a reduction gear (no outdrive)

Second choice, a 4 cycle outboard.

corrirod · 04-10-2003, 09:32 PM

Here's a thread from this year:

Inboard vs. Outboard Link

hff2 · 04-11-2003, 09:26 AM

Keta and Corrirod - thanks for the reply and link. Most of the old posts favored OB on seadrive due to reliability, performance, weight, winterizing and integrity of the hull.
Why do inboard diehards hang on?
Does an OB on seabracket make fighting or netting a fish at the stern a problem?
And what about the added length for storing the boat?
Any other thoughts will be appreciated.

Miss B Haven · 04-11-2003, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by hff2:
Why do inboard diehards hang on?

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Cause I can't get a pair of 300hp CAT diesel outboards good for 6,000 hrs to hang on my transom? :depressed:
:grin:

Pilar · 04-11-2003, 10:52 AM

hff2, it's what I have. Having said that, I must admit there is a certain smug feeling I get when I attack a motor problem on my boat. After all things considered ... ordinary tools needed, most parts at Napa and no rocket surgery degree required are all good reasons to just freakin love my old Merc 140 I/O.

Add the 4mpg typical for a 4 cylinder straight engine and it just makes sense.

If you don't mind getting your hands dirty or doing things like oil changes, valve adjustments, tune ups (just like a car) then I/O power will work for you. A repower? Last time, I did it myself (other than machine shop stuff) and got a ******* rebuilt motor for $1200 and a few weekends of my time. 600 hard hours and four years later, I'm wondering if I should get another motor because by the time this one wears out, a new block will be hard to find.

Yes, if you breach the rubber boots in the gimbal the boat will sink. You might be able to do that with a screwdriver and a hammer. Or maybe if you do not do the annual service on the gimbal ujoint for several years the ujoint will grenade. It takes an hour, a $5 gasket set, 10 squirts of grease and cycling 8 nuts off and on to do the service on the gimbal u joints.

Otherwise spend the huge money on an outboard and be happy.

Ask Kurt about repairs ............

WP · 04-11-2003, 04:03 PM

I used to have the same I/O set-up that Pilar has (well similar anyway) and it was a reliable little powerplant. I found it frustrating though as the engine and things like the alternator and starter were NOT marine designed. They broke down at the attachemnt points and the screws and nuts oxidized radically.
I am not as compulsive about maintenance as Jon is (weakness on my part) so I chose to avoid the I/O when I got my current boat. My drive is salt tough, reliable, great fuel economy, space effective (especially compared to the I/O) quiet, no inboard fuel vapors, simpler support systems, and faster speed.
The down sides to my OB are: I can only do small maintenance items so the upkeep cost is greater (I have estimated $200-$400 a year without major repairs), initial cost is higher (marginally when you realize that a lower HP outboard will perform as well as a higher HP I/O), break downs on the water are usually not repairable without a tow or kicker ride home, no dog house to sit on!, and replacement cost are a whole new drive unit rather than just a block/motor.
Overall, I am very pleased with my choice and would never go back to an I/O. I would however, happily go to a shaft inboard, particularly diesel! I do envy Miss B that twin diesel power and the moored boat...I would have it at Newport though. Move over Popeye! Maybe after I retire..maybe be like FA and fish Tuna part time to augment the expense of my fishing adventures after I retire (and help with taxes too!) Whatever you get, get the best you can afford and take care of it...it will searve you well!
WP

Mello-Yello · 04-11-2003, 04:33 PM

Hey hff2,
If you're set on a center console or walk-around hull, especially if you end up going with something under 20', I think the OB is your obvious choice. Available room is hard to come by once you get all your "stuff" in the boat, let alone a few buddies and all their "stuff". If you do go OB, try for the offshore-bracket if you can. I have a 20' w/offshore bracket. The amount of room I have compared to my 19' I/O is unbelievable.

It's probably obvious by now that you're not likely to get concensus on either application. My advice would be to go look at a lot of different makes and models. Climb right in the boat and sit down. Imagine you're actually out on the water. Where are you gonna put your icechest, your poles, crab rings and pots, dead fish, etc...Imagine one of your poles just doubled over. (I would refrain from acting out the scenario, especially the ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ of your drag being smoked.

They will ask you to get out of the boat...not that I know that for a fact or anything)

For the amount of money you're looking at spending, you'd better end up with as close to what you want as you can afford. One other thing...get something 2 ft. longer than you think you want. Even then, you'll wish you went with another 2 ft.

Oh, and remember, you can go really, really, really long terms on a new boat, and the interest rates right now say "Buy New!"

corrirod · 04-11-2003, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Does an OB on seabracket make fighting or netting a fish at the stern a problem?

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Not really any worse than trying to fight a fish around a swim platform or outdrive.

I've had both, I/O and Outboard. I had the I/O's first and now the outboard. I don't particulary like the brand of motor I have, FORCE, but I do really like outboards now. There's no real winterizing needed, easily accessible, much easier to replace, new motors are coming with 7 year warranties, they typically leave more deck space especially on a retrofit from an I/O, etc..

At one time outboards were less reliable but with new technology they are starting to surpass the inboards. Now if they'd just get the costs down!