What are inboards, outboards, and stern drives?

[Paz 2]

My husband and I just bought a Rinker 342 2004. I hear the words "it has inboard/out board" engine (or drive?). That information does not help me understand what kind of drie or engine we have. I learned about stern drive Bravo III (which the way I understand, it is not inboard or outboard, it is a different animal al together). Then I hear Horizon drive,I think it is an inboard (motor or drive, not sure. When I asked what kind of motor my boat has I am told, Horizon inboard, with stern drive Barvo III. It is an inboard/outboard. But, for the litle I could understand, stern drive is not outboard. I am not even sure what "drive" is. How that works with the engine, and how to use the teminology. I know the basic difference between inboard and outboard, but on a big boat I can't tell what is what.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: What are inboards, outboards, and stern drives?

The proper term for what you have is Inboard/Outdrive (I/O). It can also be called a stern drive, as the boat is being propelled by a drive that is affixed to the stern. Your boat is steered by moving the outdrives. Your boat had the option of being a stern drive or an inboard. You have the stern drive (or I/O). The inboard version had the engines mounted in the same area, but facing the other way. Power goes from these engines forward to V drives, which direct power back towards the boats rear via shafts tha go down through the hull. The end result is similar to my description of the true inboard below, in that the props are under the boat and it is steered with rudders. There are many different outdrives, but they all do the same thing. A true inboard has the engine in the middle of the boat with the driveshaft going through the bottom. the propeller is under the boat and is steered with a rudder. True ski boats are example. Outboards are obvious, the entire motor and drive are a single unit that is affixed to the rear of the boat and the boat is steered by rotating the entire outboard. Hope this helps a bit...

 

[roscoe]

Re: What are inboards, outboards, and stern drives?

Welcome aboard PAZ.<br /><br />outboard hangs off the back of the boat, (the stern or transom)<br /><br />inboard is mounted inside the boat, and the driveshaft exits thru the bottom ot the boat<br /><br />inboard/outdrive (I/O) engine is mounted inside the boat, but the driveshaft exits thru the stern (back) of the boat, and is connected to an outdrive, which looks like the bottom portion of an outboard.<br /><br />More info-- with an inboard, the engine could come from one manufacturer, like Volvo, Mercury, Ford or GM, and the outdrive would come from another company, such as OMC, or Mercury.<br /><br />THe engine you have, is made by Mercury, and they make many sizes and models. The name of yours is Horizon.<br /><br />Your outdrive is also from Mercury, the Bravo III.<br />THey also make other models, the Alpha, Bravo II, etc.

 

[ED21]

Re: What are inboards, outboards, and stern drives?

Even though you didn't ask, don't forget Jet Drives. They are similar to I/O except that the out drive is part of a pump that shoots water rearward to provide forward thrust. The main advantage of Jet Drives is that they can operate in very shallow water since very little of the pump hangs below the bottom of the boat. Jet Drives can also be mounted to an outboard.<br />Go to www.boatsafe.com & go through their basic boating safety course online. It is free & has lots of diagrams & explanations.

 

[Paz 2]

Re: What are inboards, outboards, and stern drives?

Thank you JasonJ, Roscoe, and Ed for your most valuable help. I definetly helped clear my confusion.