v drives or outdrives

[walken1414]

we are looking at getting a houseboat. does anybody have a opinion on the pros abd cons of each.

thanks

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: v drives or outdrives

It really depends on if you plan on boating in salt water.

Outdrives can be a hassle because things grow where you don't want them in salt water.

So if mostly salt or sitting a lot v drives.

What boats are you looking at?

I've been shopping myself.

 

[Jeepster04]

Re: v drives or outdrives

The only thing I dont like about out-drives on a house boat is you cant always pull the boat out and service the out drive. Some lakes(if youre boating on a lake) will have a service that you can use to pull your boat out but some lakes do not(ours doesnt). Weve got to have someone come in and pull our boat out and even then weve pretty much gotta get the work done in one day. If we take more than one day its extra charges.

Far as I know, unless something major goes wrong, with V-drives you can service most of it with the boat in the water. No lower unit with oil to change, no bellows to worry about, etc.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: v drives or outdrives

If you run at hull speed the V drive might last you the rest of your life. It will almost do that with zero maintaince.

might need to replace the cooler every 10 or 15 years if fresh water

The down side is the outdrives will take a bit of slow speed bottom bumping.
Tree stumps hitting an inboard can get you wet

 

[Jeepster04]

Re: v drives or outdrives

If you run at hull speed the V drive might last you the rest of your life. It will almost do that with zero maintaince.

might need to replace the cooler every 10 or 15 years if fresh water

The down side is the outdrives will take a bit of slow speed bottom bumping.
Tree stumps hitting an inboard can get you wet

I was thinking that but didnt say it, V-drives probably wouldnt do well with hitting stuff at all. Since we boat on a lake(decent size, not huge) we know the lake pretty good and will probably never hit anything.. We just dont take that chance.

How does low speed handling(docking) do with V-drives? I know with dual out drives I can pretty much do whatever I want with our house boat.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: v drives or outdrives

The V drive would be great for docking. The I/O will be fine. (both duel engines)

 

[eastont]

Re: v drives or outdrives

The question is similar to "How long is a piece of string?"

There are pros and cons on both, depending on what the issue is. Control of the boat is different. Efficiency is different, less drag from v drive.

I feel it's a personal choice made by the one who is going to be on the helm.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: v drives or outdrives

Vee drive will always back down to one side, independant of rudder position. With twin engines you compensate with throttle. With single engine you plan for it.

 

[erie_guy]

Re: v drives or outdrives

Plan on 20 to 30 % more fuel use if you go with the V-drives. The drag of the prop shaft and rudder is the principal cause for this, but also the thrust vector for the V-drive is not in the direction of boat travel. (it is trying to lift the boat out of the water.

Also stay away from shore lines and shallows (V-drives don't tilt up at all and you just bend shafts and ding props). A serious strike may hole the boat (strut failure) and you could sink.

Stern drives take annual maintenance to keep them working correctly. However most boaters have the capabilities to do this work between seasons at minimum costs. If you neglect doing the maintenance, you may get by for a couple of years, but you will pay the price for a new outdrive eventually. You must keep them leak free, and working with clean oil (no water in the drive)

Happy boating.
erie_guy
Port Clinton, OH

 

[25thmustang]

Re: v drives or outdrives

Although not a houseboat, I weighed the pros and cons of each when I purchased my boat. I ended up with Vdrives. As stated above, the inboards just seem to be more reliable (I know, this is an opinion, but from what I see it has been the norm around here) as far as failure of drive mechanics.

Vdrives will be slower and less efficient for the most part on a cruising boat, but I'm not sure a houseboat would have that concern.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: v drives or outdrives

Also, dont V-Drives sorta allow for easier power source flexibility?

As in your not tied to what engine will bolt up to the belhousing of the outdrive?

 

[QC]

Re: v drives or outdrives

1990 Stardust
-Dual Chevy 305's with Volvo DP's

I see you already have a Houseboat with I/Os . . . What type of boat are you talking about? I don't think any HBs like your Stardust are available with V-drives are they? If you are wanting another one like that I'd think OB . . .