Outboards are self-draining and many owners can complete their own off-season service. Both require similar annual maintenance, except in cold climates, where the cooling system of most outboard engines requires flushing with antifreeze, usually performed by a marine service center. However, even with less horsepower, outboard-powered boats typically cost a little more - 2 to 4 percent - than similar boats with stern drives.īecause it is typically lighter in weight and designed to be more efficient, an outboard engine typically offers better fuel economy than a stern drive. This rule of thumb applies as you move up and down the horsepower scale. In this example, a 200-horsepower outboard typically matches the performance of a 250-horsepower inboard simply because the outboard is lighter and because the weight is more effectively placed at the back of the boat rather than inside. It may seem natural to compare costs based on horsepower - a 250-horsepower outboard versus a 250-horsepower inboard on the same boat - but it is more sensible to do so based on performance. These may be equipped with three or four outboards, and their combination produces more power than the largest pair of stern drive engines available, resulting in performance that was once unimaginable. As outboard engines have become more powerful, they have become increasingly popular on large cabin cruisers and day boats that were once always equipped with inboard engines.
Outboard motors range in power from 2 to 600 horsepower, but for family boating the range is usually 90 to 300 horsepower. Whereas with a dedicated watersports tug, it has a built-in engine that turns a propeller under the boat, with the rudder providing steering control. When both options are available, is there a better choice between the two? CALON GLORIA walks you through inboard versus outboard motors and provides insight into the pros and cons of each.įamily boats with inboard power are almost always equipped with a stern inboard engine, which combines an automotive-type engine, mounted for use inside the boat, with a maneuverable drive unit. Your choice with the I/O will be limited to whatever the dealer has in stock.Many family boats, including deck boats and cabin cruisers, offer a choice of outboard or inboard power. If you are shopping late in the season and don’t want to wait for your boat to be manufactured, an outboard style boat can be powered with any brand of motor you prefer. If a large horsepower I/O engine is shoe-horned into a boat, gaining access to perform routine maintenance may be difficult and more costly as well. This is because there are more tune-up parts required for the I/O. Routine maintenance is generally less expensive for the outboard motor than the I/O. However, the cost of repowering may be higher due to additional labor costs required when installing a different horsepower engine. Initially the I/Os are less expensive than outboards.
Cosmetically they are out of sight and enclosed in an acoustically padded engine box which reduces the operating sounds. Within the last few years, they have become available with electronic fuel injection.īecause I/O engines are an integral part of the boat they will usually take up more cockpit space than the outboard. I/O engines have always been four stroke engines. While there are still many carburetor two stroke motors available, the new technology (because of EPA legislation) is moving toward electronic fuel injected motors and four stroke engines. Outboard motors can be found in an assortment of styles.
Because of its easy installation and removal, it is often preferred by boaters who wish to keep the hull but repower using the latest technology.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? JZ, Hicksville NYĪ: Dear JZ: The outboard engine is a self-contained unit mounted on the transom of your boat. Q: Dear Boat Talk: The new boat I have been looking at is offered in outboard and I/O versions.
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