Outboard, inboard/outboard, and the third?

[massimofinance]

I have decided that I want my next boat to be the type of boat that has an inboard engine with a drive shaft directly connected to the propeller. What is that called? Also, who makes these types of boats? Thanks.

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Outboard, inboard/outboard, and the third?

That would be an inboard, or direct drive.<br /><br />What type of boat are you thinking?

 

[massimofinance]

Re: Outboard, inboard/outboard, and the third?

Bow rider?<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Outboard, inboard/outboard, and the third?

You will not find many or any smaller bowriders with an inboard, as the engine must be mounted midship. Maybe if you get a big bowrider, like a boat used in waterski shows.<br /><br />Direct drive boats will require special trailering/launching concideration. You cannot lift the drive unit, so the water had better be deep at the launch.<br /><br />What is wrong with an i/o?

 

[KCook]

Re: Outboard, inboard/outboard, and the third?

Several of the ski boat builders offer both bowrider and closed bow models. Hope you don't mind burning extra gas.<br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Outboard, inboard/outboard, and the third?

The only practical use for an inboard bow rider is if you need a competition ski or wakeboard boat.<br /><br />A few of the common brands are Mastercraft, Malibu, Moomba. They are second-to-none for watersports, but extremely limited for any other type of use. Most start at $40K US and go up (a LOT) from there.<br /><br />Pros of this type of boat: PERFECT for pulling skiiers and wakeboards due to various methods of wake size control, prop is safely under the boat so it can't chop up people in the water, zero to 30 mph accelleration is incredible, high horsepower.<br /><br />Cons: Expensive, no ability to go in shallow water, no tilt/trim capabilities, more difficult to launch, more difficult to dock/steer/maneuver in tight areas that require reverse (rudder steering is MUCH different from prop steering), flat bottom doesn't handle well or as comfortable in choppy water as most I/O or ouboard bowriders, limited and inconvenient seating layout due to engine box dead-center. Lower top end speed, poor cruising ability, poor fuel economy.

 

[massimofinance]

Re: Outboard, inboard/outboard, and the third?

Thanks, for all the responses. I have heard that I/O have lots of issues. Is that true?<br /><br />Also, where I use my boat is very choppy, so a ski boat is not practical.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Outboard, inboard/outboard, and the third?

Just to clarify to make sure you understand...An I/O is not an inboard. Inboard is like a ski-boat with mid-engine and rudder steering, or many deep-sea fishing rigs, etc. An I/O is your typical Mercruiser, Volvo, OMC setup with engine in the boat and prop (or sometimes jet) drive sticking out the back of the boat.<br /><br />As for issues, that's very subjective and hard to answer. A well cared-for boat of any type will run great for a LONG time. If maintenance is lax, then issues will arise in all of them.<br /><br />However, I/O's and inboards do take more maintenance and service work than most outboards, but it's not excessive, IMO.

 

[stevens]

Re: Outboard, inboard/outboard, and the third?

There is another alternative to the ones mentioned so far.<br /><br />A few boats have a combination of an inboard engine quite far forward, an ordinary outdrive mounted on the transom, and an axle connecting the two. Best of both worlds!<br /><br />Here's a picture of one, where the engine is actually placed under the seat and floor forward of where the guy is standing. It is a great handling boat with very little bow rise on planing and superb sea handling. This particular one is equipped with a Volvo Penta KAD32 diesel engine and a duoprop outdrive, capable of 35-40 knots. Ibiza 25 Touring

 

[massimofinance]

Re: Outboard, inboard/outboard, and the third?

Thanks all. No, I am not confused, I understand the three alternatives.<br /><br />On the Ibiza 25 Touring, where can I get more information?

 

[stevens]

Re: Outboard, inboard/outboard, and the third?

I'm sorry, the Ibiza brand is well known here in Norway and, as I understand it, has had some limited export to a few other countries. But, I would be very surprised if you could find one in the US. That particular model has also been discontinued. Their website is www.ibizaboats.no<br /><br />Now, surely there are similar boats in the US?

 

[QC]

Re: Outboard, inboard/outboard, and the third?

Massi,<br /><br />What Stevens describes is called a Jack shaft. There are a few boats built that way here too, but I would bet not one is a bowrider.<br /><br />Maybe we could be more help if you gave us a better list of your priorities. If you want low maintenance in a bowrider, the best compromise is an outboard. Some don't like the look of outboards hanging off the back and prefer the familiarity of an automotive type powerplant i.e. 4 cycle I4s, V6s and V8s. There is no question that I/Os require the most maintenance, but as the Crazy One has noted, it is not that big of a deal if you stay on top of it.<br /><br />If you are worried about chop and a smooth ride then you will need a minimum of 18 degrees deadrise in a V hull. I prefer around 20. If handling chop is your primary concern then I would look into a small powered Cat, but they can be very expensive and the smallest are pretty big. Good luck!

 

[KCook]

Re: Outboard, inboard/outboard, and the third?

Quietcat is right about the "jackshaft" description. Pretty rare in the US, maybe not so rare in Europe. Best known builder here using jackshaft designs is Albemarle -<br /><br /> http://www.albemarleboats.com/trailerable/index.html <br /><br />Note that their smallest model is a 24 footer. Jackshafts are not practical on the really small boats.<br /><br />Kelly

 

[stevens]

Re: Outboard, inboard/outboard, and the third?

That jackshaft system is exactly what I mean, and I cannot understand why it is not more common. Even over here it is not that usual in a planing hull. But, the ride is really all that much better. After riding two of these this summer, I seriously consider trading in my I/O.

 

[KCook]

Re: Outboard, inboard/outboard, and the third?

Stevens, I can see some advantages. But over here I think these are viewed as an expensive compromise. As you still are stuck with the same (high) maintenance as I/O and it is significantly more expensive than direct shaft inboard. Albemarles are VERY respected boats here, but seen as kind of a high end specialized boat.<br /><br />Kelly

 

[stevens]

Re: Outboard, inboard/outboard, and the third?

Wow, those Albemarles really are expensive!<br /><br />The way I've experienced these boats (Ibiza, not Albemarle...), the weight of the engine midship makes the bow rise much less on take off. This makes for much better cruising at lower speeds. It also keeps the bow down in waves, so a lot less slamming of the bow and no porpoising. When jumping over waves, the boat would land level, not on its tail.<br /><br />Combined with a deep V hull, these boats effortlessly sliced waves that would just punch me senseless in my own boat, which is essentially the same hull but with a conventional I/O arrangement.<br /><br />Compared with an ordinary inboard/outboard, the added cost of an axle and two bearings would be how much?<br /><br />In my next life, I'll be a boat designer....

 

[KCook]

Re: Outboard, inboard/outboard, and the third?

Very good info to hear Stevens. And you're right about the longer shaft not costing much more. I expect most of the extra cost for the Albemarles is simply higher quality and beef in the boat itself, not the jackshaft. However, most US shoppers look at that price tag, and then spend the same $$ on a bigger boat of some other brand.<br /><br />Kelly

 

[QC]

Re: Outboard, inboard/outboard, and the third?

You're forgettng something important. Weight toward the rear usually results in higher max speeds. Marketing boats that cost more AND are slower would generally not work here . . . My .02.