sailboat outboard vs inboard

Comparing inboard vs. outboard boat motor options is an important decision for any prospective boat buyer. Outboards and inboards (sterndrive or I/O) both have pros and cons, and you'll want to look at the differences in maintenance costs. Outboard engines typically deliver better fuel economy & are easier to service.

Inboard Motors. True to its namesake, an inboard motor is fixed inside the boat, typically at the hull. Petrol and gas versions have combustion engines with firing cylinders, whereas electric models differ. Inboard motors are often housed in a large box in the middle of the vessel. This center of gravity is a huge benefit to a drifting experience.

If you are looking for a large daysailer or a small cruising sailboat, you may be choosing between sailboats that have an inboard engine and those having an outboard motor. Each offers certain advantages. LiveAbout is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family. If you are shopping for a sailboat, you may be choosing between an inboard ...

In some classes of boats, they aren't quite as efficient as inboards with stern-drive propulsion systems. Take for example the Sea Ray 240 Sundeck, which we tested with both a Mercury 350 MAG stern drive (inboard) and a 300 HP Verado outboard. At a 35 MPH cruise, the stern drive boat got 3.4 miles per gallon (MPG).

Key Factors When Deciding Between Inboard vs Outboard Motors. Here's what will probably make or break your choice: Favorite water activity. Boat size. Desired maneuverability. Boating frequency. Local year-round climate. The great news is you do not need to leap into inboard or outboard adventures alone.

Fuel Efficiency: Outboard engines are generally lighter and more fuel-efficient compared to inboard engines, making them an eco-friendly option. Space Optimization: Outboard engines leave the interior of the boat free for storage or other uses by taking up minimal space. This could be beneficial for small boats with limited room.

A pre-owned outboard motor will range in price from $1,500 to $5,000 for most recreational boats. Ongoing maintenance costs of an outboard motor will range from $500 to $1,200 per year. This will include the price of replacement parts and service fees. 7. Inboard Motor Vs Outboard Motor Fuel Efficiency.

Inboard Outboard Motor . Inboard engines are contained within the structure of the boat and provide thrust and steering from the bottom of the hull. On most recreational boats, the style of inboard motor is an inboard/outboard motor, or I/O, which combines the engine mounted inside the boat with a steerable drive unit mounted on the stern - a ...

Inboard motors are permanently installed inside the hull of the boat, usually beneath the deck, which leads to a lower center of gravity and potentially better stability. This placement also means that inboard engines are less exposed to the elements, which can be a factor in their longevity. On the contrary, outboard motors are mounted on the ...

The inboard engine is connected to a driveshaft, which controls the direction of the propeller, steering the boat. True Inboard vs I/O . There is a distinction between a true inboard engine and an inboard/outboard engine we need to discuss. A true inboard is fully inside a boat and an I/O has components within and outside of the boat. A true ...

An inboard boat motor has less drag, which means it can go of time than an outboard boat. This makes it ideal for water sports, such as when you want to connect water skis with ropes to it. I think it could make water-skiing safer than if using an outboard motor, which I didn't consider until now.

Inboard motors generally last longer than their outboard counterparts. You can squeeze roughly 1,500 hours out of an inboard before necessary maintenance. Outboards, on the other hand, last about 750 hours on average. So, the inboard option means less maintenance (nearly half) even though they cost more initially.

When Inboards Might Be a Better Fit. Large Boats: Inboards are often more suitable for larger vessels requiring substantial horsepower. Specific Activities: If your primary focus is wakeboarding or waterskiing, inboards might offer power delivery and wake-shaping advantages. Ultimately, choosing between an inboard and an outboard motor depends ...

Outboards can get up to 600 horsepower or more and, of course, you can always install double or triple engines as well. In the past, larger boats were almost exclusively inboard but as more powerful and cost efficient outboards are made, you can find larger boats relying on these powerful motors more and more.

However, while that's true at face value, in practice the weight of your boat will determine how fuel efficient it is. A heavy boat using an outboard engine will have poor fuel efficiency, while an inboard would offer more power and therefore less fuel usage. Ultimately, the inboard engine is considered to be the most fuel efficient.

Inboards are also used when the boat is simply too big to be pushed by outboard power. Big outboards are heavy and expensive. Chances are you can find a larger inboard boat for less money than one with multiple modern high-power outboards. Inboard motors come in any shape and style that boat makers can dream up.

Currently, the difference in fuel efficiency between inboard and outboard engines is minimal. That said, the efficiency can vary depending on your boat's weight. Heavier boats using outboard engines may experience reduced fuel efficiency, while inboards, offering more power, could be more economical in fuel use.

For commercial use, we have guys that have 150 HP four stroke outboards with 6,000 hours on them! In our case though, for pleasure boating. The average life span of each motor styles, whether it be inboard or outboard, you can look at a properly maintained engine lasting anywhere from 2,000-4,000 hours.

The main difference between the inboard and outboard motors is that an inboard is located inside the boat's interior. In contrast, an outboard is attached to the boat's transom (the back end) and contains its internal combustion power source. Inboard engines use diesel fuel, which gives them more power and trust.

The types of boats that require an outboard are either too small to house an inboard motor, or they're designed with a fixed transom that's intended to mount an outboard motor. If you have your eye on a certain style or type of boat, the question of whether you should use an inboard or outboard motor may already be decided for you.

You will find a big difference in how a 300HP outboard performs against a 300HP inboard. In the same sense, the power to weight ratio is less with an inboard because it's heavier than an outboard. This can also impact the weight capacity you get with the boat itself as the inboard will eat up some of that space.

The diesel inboard offers potential longer-term reliability, enhanced stability, and a longer cruising range. Jay Flemming. Outboards provide increased speed, lower cost, the ability to trim completely out of the water, and easier maintenance access. Jay Flemming. For the inboard model, we ran Justified, a 2012 inboard.

Yes, the inboard motors will move your boat fast but not like when you use an outboard machine. Expect them to drag your boat in the water. Also, the horsepower of these machines doesn't allow you to move to higher speeds, unlike the outboard devices. Besides the power, these machines need much thrust to move your boat.

Still, Beneteau, with a 4,800-lb. boat, offered an outboard version of the First 265 when the boat came out in the 90s, and rec­ommends a 9.9-hp. outboard for those who wish to go this route. ... the dollar difference between inboard and outboard shrinks to around and those who opt for the outboard miss the shore power option and electric hot ...