Is it easier to maintain an inboard boat vs. an outboard boat, such as winterizing?

Question

I'm considering the purchase of a newer, used 16'-21' fish/ski boat and I have heard horror stories about the maintenance requirements of inboard motors, especially winterizing. Can someone shed a little light on this subject? I live in North Texas, so winters aren't THAT bad and the boat will be trailered and kept under a carport. I just need a ballpark annual $ figure and a list of some things I need to do each season. I'm curious as to if it is more hassle than owning an outboard.

Answer 1

Outboard> Iess to go wrong and the maintaince is less>

Answer 2

There are no horror stories for inboard powered boats that are properly maintained, winterized, and dewinterized properly.  Except for the odd random ocassion, inboard engines are very reliable in longevity and maintenance needs.

Most of the horror stories I know regarding inboard maintenance tends to be people who either do not do winterization/dewinterization or don't do it 100% correctly.  The other is abuse and neglect by current owner or previous owner of the boat.

Answer 3

Winterizing an inboard consists of draining any water from the engine and out drive, then running some antifreeze through it. Drain the outdrive oil to make sure there is no water present, Add Stabil to the gas and park it.

Some will say empty or fill the gas tank, I say I don't worry about it.

Cost less than $50

Winterizing an outboard consists of draining the outdrive oil and refilling to make sure no water is present and running some gas/oil mix with Stabil in it through the carb(s). Then drain the carb(s) if possible.

Cost about $20

Answer 4

Kenny, in our part of the country we can boat year round.

here's how to winterize an outboard:  

1.  change the gearoil before the first freeze, so in case any water has got in it won't crack the gearcase open.  gear oil change is an annual event anyway.

2.  on cold days, tilt the motor down for a few minutes to let the powerhead drain completely before trailering home.

3.  cover the prop, so rain won't collect down in there & potentially freeze.

that's it.

But if you aren't going to use the boat all winter, you have to treat the gas with stabil (which you ought to do anyway), and fog the motor with something like Seafoam.

Fishing is better during the winter anyway.

That's it.

Answer 5

wvparanormal has given you a good overview of winterizing each engine type but as for the fuel in the boat let me add that keeping the tank full is the preferred method at our marina. The reason behind this is condensation forming and mixing with the gas. Keeping the tank full 1) lessens the amount of room for condensation to form and 2) in our mindset (owners) allows you to start the following season off on a full tank of gas purchased at a lower price with what fuel has been doing the last 2 years. Done it one way in our old boat (less than full) and in the new one prefer doing it with the tank full. No problems with either boat but make certain you do add the stabilizer to the tank!