inboard v-drive or ouitboard?

[nautic_32]

[/B]
Hi Forum, i've owned 3 cruiser boats with stern drives, every boat i had always ended up rebuilding the engine due to faulty manifolds, oil/water mixed up, and bad experience with Bravo Drives. Been doing some research and really liking the fishing boats with outboards i do have to get a 28'-30' boat range to compensate a cruiser accommodations. Searched also for full inboards with V-Drives, they seem durable, economical, and very easy to handle. Still havent decided yet so i need some critics and comments, feel free to letting me know what is my best bet. thanks in advance

john

 

[NYBo]

Re: inboard v-drive or ouitboard?

Where will you be boating?

 

[nautic_32]

Re: inboard v-drive or ouitboard?

In Florida Gulf of Mexico

 

[QC]

Re: inboard v-drive or ouitboard?

Manifold issue is same for Inboard as I/O, right?

 

[NYBo]

Re: inboard v-drive or ouitboard?

I'll bet you see a lot of dual outboard boats in your neck of the woods.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: inboard v-drive or ouitboard?

Don't think you will find cruiser accommodations in outboard in that size

 

[86 century]

Re: inboard v-drive or ouitboard?

Running in the salt if at all possible go with outboards so much less work.

Like is said above I/O and v drive are basically the same eng.
You will still have manifolds to replace every few years.

 

[nautic_32]

Re: inboard v-drive or ouitboard?

Don't think you will find cruiser accommodations in outboard in that size

Oh, i did find 2 models that fit cruiser accommodations for 3. I went to see a Wellcraft Coastal 270 and Hydra Sports 28, they seem very fair and comfortable for its size, the main concern will choose between yamaha 4 strokes or eTecs.

 

[smclear]

Re: inboard v-drive or ouitboard?

You will still have manifolds to replace every few years.

Since 1970, I have had two inboards, and two I/O's. Prior to 1970, the family had outboards. I have never had any manifold issues. Nor do I know anyone who has. What issues occur that require replacement every few years? And..... could they arise from some type of neglect? (such as improper winterizing)

Have I just been lucky?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: inboard v-drive or ouitboard?

SMClear, You obviously boat in freshwater. Manifolds last a long time in freshwater (20 years+). In the salt pond, they last anywhere from 3 years to 7 years. You can sometimes get a decade out of them in saltwater.

 

[nautic_32]

Re: inboard v-drive or ouitboard?

SMClear, You obviously boat in freshwater. Manifolds last a long time in freshwater (20 years+). In the salt pond, they last anywhere from 3 years to 7 years. You can sometimes get a decade out of them in saltwater.

Will it be better to get an inboard and install a new Fresh Water Cooling systems and also replace manifolds to be on safe side? i been told FWC systems works like a regular engine on a car.

 

[smclear]

Re: inboard v-drive or ouitboard?

SMClear, You obviously boat in freshwater. Manifolds last a long time in freshwater (20 years+). In the salt pond, they last anywhere from 3 years to 7 years. You can sometimes get a decade out of them in saltwater.

You are correct that my experiences (with inboards and I/O's) have been in freshwater. I did live in Fort Lauderdale for a while, but had an outboard then. I realize the OP is talking about a 28+ foot boat, but if you had a trailer boat would simple, but thorough flushing solve the issue.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: inboard v-drive or ouitboard?

Will it be better to get an inboard and install a new Fresh Water Cooling systems and also replace manifolds to be on safe side? i been told FWC systems works like a regular engine on a car.

closed loop cooling system still use raw water to cool the engine, they just replace the parts that contact the salt water with different parts that contact it. Still have corrosion issues, just on different spots.

 

[QC]

Re: inboard v-drive or ouitboard?

That's an odd description of closed cooling there smoke Yeah, it is still "cooled" by raw water, but all of the cooled components have coolant circulating around them as opposed to the raw water. Yes there is the addition of the heat exchanger, and it does have parts susceptible to corrosion as that's where the raw water does the cooling, but the engine sees none of that.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: inboard v-drive or ouitboard?

That's an odd description of closed cooling there smoke Yeah, it is still "cooled" by raw water, but all of the cooled components have coolant circulating around them as opposed to the raw water. Yes there is the addition of the heat exchanger, and it does have parts susceptible to corrosion as that's where the raw water does the cooling, but the engine sees none of that.

True, if its a full freshwater cooled system. A lot of FWC boats are actually half systems, and the manifolds/risers are still raw water cooled.

As to the original question, if money is not an object and you can find an outboard powered boat that meets your other requirements, I would not hesitate for an instant.

 

[QC]

Re: inboard v-drive or ouitboard?

Agree that too ^^^^^^ I was trying to avoid half systems for now, but most OEM inboards and I/Os are full systems. I guess my thought was if he is researching powerplants, and his complaint is corrosion, then he needs to consider the best combinations for those particular powerplant options. Like most threads, partial answers (mine included) don't get it done.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: inboard v-drive or ouitboard?

I'd say that the OP should learn to do preventive maintenance that would have likely saved his prior engines from these catastrophes. The bad manifolds are a result of not doing annual checks of them when in salt water use. Oil/Water mixing is a cracked block from freezing or warped head from overheating, again preventable by winterizing or monitoring temp gauges, respectively. I'm not sure what your specific problems have been with Bravo drives, but historically they are about the most bullet-proof drive Mercruiser has even made. I think before you start looking at alternative propulsion designs, you may need to look at your maintenance habits.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: inboard v-drive or ouitboard?

That's an odd description of closed cooling there smoke Yeah, it is still "cooled" by raw water, but all of the cooled components have coolant circulating around them as opposed to the raw water. Yes there is the addition of the heat exchanger, and it does have parts susceptible to corrosion as that's where the raw water does the cooling, but the engine sees none of that.

yep, just a little different way of describing how it works. The op was going down the road that closed loop cooling doesn't have any salt water issues because they work like a car radiator. That isn't quite true, its just changing what parts get to deal with the salt water.

 

[nautic_32]

Re: inboard v-drive or ouitboard?

I'd say that the OP should learn to do preventive maintenance that would have likely saved his prior engines from these catastrophes. The bad manifolds are a result of not doing annual checks of them when in salt water use. Oil/Water mixing is a cracked block from freezing or warped head from overheating, again preventable by winterizing or monitoring temp gauges, respectively. I'm not sure what your specific problems have been with Bravo drives, but historically they are about the most bullet-proof drive Mercruiser has even made. I think before you start looking at alternative propulsion designs, you may need to look at your maintenance habits.

these engine issues happened months after i bought the boats, im pretty good maintaining the engine,lubing ,flushing and sending it to do preventative care. I feel more comfortable going to 4 stroke outboards just before buying it i might have to do an internal inspection on engines and history of boat.

 

[Stevens520]

Re: inboard v-drive or ouitboard?

Oh, i did find 2 models that fit cruiser accommodations for 3. I went to see a Wellcraft Coastal 270 and Hydra Sports 28, they seem very fair and comfortable for its size, the main concern will choose between yamaha 4 strokes or eTecs.

Pursuit and Whaler makes a few nice rigs too.
http://www.pursuitboats.com/OS315.htm
http://www.bostonwhaler.com/Page.aspx/pageId/29330/pmid/308687/285-Conquest.aspx
Edit: Don't want to leave out Stamas either.
http://www.stamas.com/289aegean.html