Outboard or Inboard

[dmanmtl]

As I research and hopefully get ready to buy my first boat I have always thought I wanted an inboard engine. I am far more familiar with car-type motors and repairing one would seem easier to me.

I have however come across some outboards in the category/size I want (think 18 foot bayliner pleasure boat).

Are there significant advantages of one setup over the other? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
DM

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Outboard or Inboard

You can stand along side and utboard to work on it. With an inboard you are on your belly to do even relatively simple stuff. Go to a dealer and take a good look at the starter. Now imagine what it takes to replace one. Universal joints in your fingers and wrists would help. Your auto engine skills transfer to the marine inboard and I/O propulsion systems. Unfortunately, access to some items is not easy. Buy an outboard boat and you end up hating the engine your can sell what you have and buy what lights your fire. Same with the boat. With an I/O your first choice better be the best choice for your situation as you are stuck with what you have -- unless you have deep pockets.

 

[gm280]

Re: Outboard or Inboard

As I research and hopefully get ready to buy my first boat I have always thought I wanted an inboard engine. I am far more familiar with car-type motors and repairing one would seem easier to me.

I have however come across some outboards in the category/size I want (think 18 foot bayliner pleasure boat).

Are there significant advantages of one setup over the other? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
DM

Welcome to iboats :welcome: great to have you aboard...

I can?t give an honest assessment being how I?ve never own any inboard setups, only outboards. However, when (not IF) you have a problem with an inboard you have to basically remove the engine out of the boat to work on it. While I?m sure inboard owners don?t see that as an obstacle, it has to take more time and money to do that. If you have a problem with an outboard, you can remove the lower foot and change the water impellor or even the gear section to do some repairs. I think outboards would be easier to maintain in my thinking. But that is just my opinion and I?m sure others will have different ideas about that too...

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Outboard or Inboard

I've had both.... never thought I would like an outboard as there was more to get in the way fishing. After the 1st OB it is doubtful I would ever go back. Since I'm only on salt now-- there is not even a thought of anything but an OB. Easier and less expensive to maintain and less problems all the way. The newer motors, both 2 and 4 stroke are very good,,, love Yamahas!

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Outboard or Inboard

...get ready to buy my first boat.........think 18 foot bayliner pleasure boat...Any thoughts...

My first 3 boats I ever owned in the '80s were outboard powered and slightly smaller than the size you're looking at.
If you get hooked on boating then this will probably not be your last boat so finding a boat you like that you can have surveyed for any water rot issues and seems mechanically sound is what you want to look for.

Generally, outboards will be slightly less expensive as part of a purchase than an I/O though these days a new Merc or Yamaha outboard can be pretty pricey. A 4 stroke outboard is still a 4 stroke engine so I would think you should not have that hard of a transition with the right manual and with access to the Internet and sites like this, you'd be fine.

Though many don't consider this a factor, with an outboard you do not quite have the "explosion" factor like with an I/O.
When I was selling my Maxum last year a few of the calls I got were from folks totally clueless about the different propulsion systems of a boat and I got the feeling they'd be a danger to themselves and others around them. If I asked them "you do understand a boat like mine with a car type engine can explode if you don't take certain safety precautions" and they said 'no', then I told them that my boat is not for them and they should be looking at buying an outboard powered boat.


Mark

 

[roscoe]

Re: Outboard or Inboard

Things you need to consider:

Type of boat and primary use:
Wakeboarding? you need to get a boat that will throw a real wake that means i/o
skiing or some tubing? i/o or outboard
hardcore skiing, get an real inboard


saltwater or fresh

trailered or kept in water


Are you going to be using the boat when over night temps start dropping below freezing?
Using the boat in early spring or late fall, with overnite freezing temps, means you need to drain/winterize an i/o. but you can simply lower an outboard down.

price range.
anything under $4000, the outboard definitely has an advantage in my opinion.


Give us some more info to work with.

Are you really talking inboard, outboard, or i/o ?

 

[dmanmtl]

Re: Outboard or Inboard

Ok - replies to questions below:
Freshwater lakes - toff the st-lawrence system - thousand islands and that area.

Boat will be left in the water much of the time, I have a nice slip space.

Boat will be used for fishing, tubing maybe a bit of water skiing and day trips to cool swimming spots

When I refer to inboard I really mean inboard/outboard - ie: mercruiser engine and alpha leg type of setup

Boat will not be in the water when its close to freezing

Looking to spend about $10k

17 to 20 feet.

Thanks again for your advice..
D

Things you need to consider:

Type of boat
primary use
saltwater or fresh
trailered or kept in water
Are you going to be using the boat when over night temps start dropping below freezing?
Size of boat
price range.


Give us some more info to work with.

Are you really talking inboard, outboard, or i/o ?

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Outboard or Inboard

OB hands down. The reasons go on and on. Two which used to get in the way was fuel economy and following seas getting in the boat. Four stroke and super efficient 2 strokes fixed the first one and 25" transoms fixed the second.

Go look at a 10 year old inboard and a comparably cared for OB. Proof is in the pudding. OB's get a lot of salt protection, the others don't....get an equal amount.

Mark

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Outboard or Inboard

An OB will give you a lot more room in that length of boat. You will not need a motor box, like an I/O does. The OB will have a lot less maintenance, but will burn lots more fuel, unless a DI or 4 cycle, which are out of your price range. Get yourself a V6 OB in the 150HP range and enjoy...

BTW - Mercruiser likes to price new I/Os lower than comparable OBs. Not sure why.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Outboard or Inboard

Personally, I think you'd be happier with an I/O in your price range. Smoother, quieter and you don't have the engine in your face every time you turn around. With your experience in repair on car engines you're maintenance will be a lot cheaper as well with you doing most of the repair work instead of paying $100+ an hour to a mechanic. My last set of Mercruiser 260hp 5.7L I/O's lasted me 22 years (I did most of the work on them myself) and were still going strong when I replaced them with bigger motors this year.

 

[coolbri70]

Re: Outboard or Inboard

the i/o is a car motor, it has been fitted with an outdrive to "convert" it into a boat motor. the outboard is a boat motor, was designed to be a boat motor, was never intended for anything else but to power a boat. plus if it ever needs replaced or upgraded, i can swap motors in less than 15 minutes, try that with the i/o

 

[cwarends]

Re: Outboard or Inboard

I have had in order - two outboards, a I/O and back to an outboard. Why do I like Outboards better.
Cheaper to maintain since it freezes here in winter I needed to winterize and de-winterize the I/O. I pay for this - $320.
We get nice days in December and January and I can use my outboard for these single days without an issue with freezing - I just let it sit on my floating lift.
I have a 2013 250HP Yamaha 4 stroke which is economical on fuel (for this HP) and is quiet.
In 2012 I needed work on the I/O and it needed to be removed from the boat for repair and cost $6,000. After repair I traded it for my new boat with outboard.
The outboard and I/O both gave me the performance I wanted for fishing and water sports, but the outboard does leave more room in the boat and is much easier to work on.
In your price range, I would suggest looking for a used boat with a two stroke outboard would be a better choice and have a higher probability of less issues do their long term reliability, if they have been properly maintained.
The key to finding a used boat is low hours on it and condition.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Outboard or Inboard

BTW - Mercruiser likes to price new I/Os lower than comparable OBs. Not sure why.

It's just economy of scale. Outboard motors are developed from scratch and made in relatively small quantities of expensive materials. Much of the price is to cover R&D. I/Os use automotive or industrial engines that are made of cheap iron, were designed decades ago, and have been made in huge quantities. R&D expense for them was recouped a long time ago.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Outboard or Inboard

at first there was no way to answer the question because on a boat forum, ironically, the word "boat" has no meaning. But now that you 'splained it...

Outboard. no question. In addition to all the reasons given, in a boat under 20', the engine box is an unpardonable waste of space.

Take it from the salties who boat in more challenging conditions--no experienced boater would own one for general family use or fishing. The only exception is the master-craft type ski boats.

read the post about the guy worrying about the temperature dip. If he had an outboard, not an issue.

 

[markheck1]

Re: Outboard or Inboard

I can only tell you with certainty that I'll never own another I/O, as soon as I get into a better situation , this one's gonna be replaced with either a true inboard, or an outboard....depending on whether I wanna ski or cruise more by then

 

[boobie]

Re: Outboard or Inboard

After working in the marine business for 40 yrs plus as a mechanic every time an I/O would come into the shop, I would want to run as they're bears to work on. And yes, I've been to the factory service schools for them. I'll take an Outboard Motor any day. JMHO