Re: inboard or outboard?
I have a glastron SX 170 with a 150 xr6 merc and ill tell you what, performance is amazing as expected for a light, small boat. Glastron is one of the few manufacturers that rates their 17 ft o/b boats to 150 hp. It puts performance on a whole other level than that of a 115. I would never want an I/O for this size boat. I prefer outboards by a long shot, especially two strokes. With an mercury enertia prop, i get 60 mph top end and the hole shot is insane. I ride snowmobiles during the winter, and i would say its comparable in acceleration. The motor is very torquey. I need about 1/3 throttle to pop right out of the water, full throttle with one person and the boat literally jumps on plan in under a second.
Ok I like what you said. Now for the other side of reality & please prove me wrong here as I do like outboard engines.
Now I sold a 16ft w/ 120hp V4 evinrude that seemed to have alot of power for a V4 and trust me I got top dollar for this outboard so V4 & V6 engine outboards pound per pound I believe are fiesty. Very low maintance, very reliable so I am questioning my gut on wether I should go back to an inboard or not.
Do you want your boat to leak alot of water in 50ft to 60ft of water? I almost drowned in 50ft of water at 9 year's old so yes safety is important. Don't mess with nature because nature has been around for a long time and you'll be a number trust me..
Now I have owned a 17.5 inboard, double the weight and that boat handled heavy waves, chop, wakes, etc better than my 16ft outboard which was 850lbs vs 1,700 so the math in terms of staying in the water speaks for itself.
My inboard vs. outboard experience has been that inboards require alot more maintance, quiter, more expensive, weigh more, can provide more HP depending on size of boat & weight, can be fast, slow, etc..
I have smoked inboard boats with a 120hp Evinrude V4. I'm guessing they had a V6 or V8 but up until 45mph they were strugging to catch-up. In calm water's an inboard will get smoked by an outboard until each boat has reach TOP END SPEED.
The only positve to an inboard is less noise and the weight of the rig adds for better ride in terms of cutting waves but if you have a heavier OUTBOARD and boat then waves won't be that much of an issue. Make sure you're at least 1,650 weight wise before people & gas added for an outboard.
So what's most important to you as a boater? Not everyone is an inboard person so don't feel bad. Evinrude, Mercury, Yamah, etc outboards don't stick around for a buyer here & there.. The truth is there is really a market for these engines.
Another truth is outboard boats vs. inboard boats is that INBOARD boats are cheaper to make, have a higher mark-up in price, quiter, and remember people like quiet engine over little bit louder & status plus convience. Think about it.. Why are gas stations selling milk???
The general public is easily "TOLD" what to buy and that is what people do. They buy what people tell them... Do you believe "EVERYTHING" people tell you???
What is pleasure to you is a boating company, engine company, dealer location, etc profits = mpre money for them to buy what they want such as big fancy richie home, giant boat, savings, etc.. This a BOATING BUSINESS... Marketing SELL$... See the $$$ sign at the end of Sell$..HMMMM??
