What are the advantages of an inboard versus an outboard engine on a boat?

Question

Hi. I am a first time boat buyer trying to determine the advantages/disadvantages of an outboard engine. I noticed that they significantly reduce the weight of a boat which is a big consideration for me being that my vehicle has limited towing capacity. What other things should I consider and does anyone have any personal experiences?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Outboards are usually lighter, easier to maintain and cheaper.

The drawback is they get in the way versus an inboard when you get in and our of the boat from the stern.

Answer 2

I read all the other answers before me... and I was not going to answer this question - as everyone has their own opinion.

Then, I noticed in your question details that you were "trailering" your boat. That is a key factor...

As a result - I think you should go with any of the ones you want - but with this precaution...

     If by "inboard" you actually mean an inboard/outboard there is no big deal with any difference in "handling" the boat.

     If you actually mean "a rudder steering complete inboard" then you will find this (a single s***w - is what it is referred to) is much more difficult to manuever, dock, back up, and back up and turn - this requires a great deal of practice and a substantial "learning curve" before you can ever confidently remove the "fender bumpers" from the side of your boat - and those things hanging off the side of a boat - are the tell-tell signs (like big red flags) that let us all know you are a "BEGINNER".

   With an OUTBOARD - you have a lot LESS CHANCE of blowing your boat, and your self, family, and friends, clean out of the water after refueling.

    While INBOARD/OUTBOARD - IS PERFECTLY SAFE  - AS LONG AS YOU ARE. Just remember, they don't warn you to turn on the bilge blower after refueling just to sell you a bilge blower - that is a required manufacturer's piece of equipment - a life saving safety device - just as seatbelts in cars.

If you had a "big" boat that you could not trailer - I would have advised you to get an outboard - Only because we poor souls that have inboards on boats too big to trailer are at the mercy of the Marina mechanics, and the Marina prices... with an outboard, you can take it off, take it anywhere, and have it fixed.

However, since you are trailering your boat, and you can take it anywhere anyway - in that case, I would go for the I/O... they look nicer - they can't steal your motor, without stealing your boat - you won't have to worry about the motor falling off either in the water, or driving down the road, and I know more cases of guys backing their boats with outboard engines into cars, gas pumps, walls, signs, and people towing them in their SUVs.  (You can't see the outboard engine from the rear view mirror of your car) and it sticks out much further than (obviously) some guys realize.  Oh yea, an I/O will cost you a bit more in the long run - but, such is life in the fast lane.

Happy & Safe Boating!  

http://boatwrights.org/

Answer 3

When my inboard bit the dust on a 26-foot pocket cruiser, I decided to replace it with extra long shaft outboard instead, so I experienced both on the same boat.  The boat was sailed on the Great Lakes, SE Florida and Bahamas.

Things I liked about the Outboard:

1. Much Cheaper (initial purchase price)

2. I could easily remove it from the boat for maintenance

3. The motor tiller could be turned in addition to the ships's tiller to provide very tight turning.

4. The boat batteries could be completely dead and I could easily pull start the engine to start producing power.

5. I didn't have to have my hands snaking through the bilge to work on it.

6. No stuffing box or intake related thru hulls, so there is less danger of sinking the boat.

7.  I used a common fuel for both main engine and dingy motor

8. I could get gas at any gas station, or simply load the external tanks in the dingy to go to a dingy dock when anchored, without the need to pull the big boat up to the dingy dock.

9.  Freed up more space in a small boat for storage.

10.  Outboard weighed notably less

11 Fuel system is external, so less danger in some ways

12. No diesel fumes inside

Negatives: (Or advantages to inboards)

1.  Inboard is likely to last much longer

2.  Inboard is likely to have less maintenance

3.  Inboard will most surely have a larger generator and produce more power

4.  Nobody is going to steal your inboard off the back of your boat when you are not looking

5.  Less danger of prop coming out of the water or plunging head into the water

6.  Usually they are diesel fuel which is less volatile (but, it's internal)

7.  Likely to have a longer cruising range between gas fill ups

8.  Engine controls will most likely be located in a good location.

9.  An outboard, being external, is more prone to damage.

I'm now back to having an inboard on a different boat, and prefer it overall, mostly because of it's ability to perform in steeper seas.

Answer 4

If it has an outdrive>& under 25' go outboard 4 stroke>

Outdrives cost to much to repair>& hit every time your in shallow water>$$$$  

Answer 5

I have had both types and I prefer the inboard/outboard (IO) combination.  With the inboard engine you will find it easier to work on (plugs, oil change,...)  drop a lot fewer tools overboard, and more of the weight and strain of the power train on the hull is tranfered to the keel not the transom.  Thats not to say that the outdrive, which IS in the water dosen't need attention; just not as often.

The other reason is that an inboard motor is more protected than the outboard is  because it's in the boat. That includes protection from water, theft, and physical damage.  You can do plenty of bad things to an inboard engine but you can't back it into a dock.

Answer 6

Out board has alot more immediate maintenance where as an inboard dosnt. in boards you can also go in mush more shallow water that an outboard

  

Answer 7

There is only one advantage that I know of. It is a little easier to work on (and cheaper) than an outboard.

David says an outboard is cheaper???????????  He must be comparing apples to oranges. A new 150HP outboard= $15,000. A new 4.3 inboard = $ 5,000 or less.

Answer 8

well if you get an outboard the motor is going to be in the way for swimming or any other water activites other then fishing. it really depends on what you are going to use your boat for.

inboards are for playing

outboards are for fishing