Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 07-14-2021, 12:10 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
City: NE Florida
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 273
small boat - inboard vs I/O vs outboard

sitting in traffic today on a trailer I saw a nice looking center console.... very roughly 25ft length range...full inboard drive
It was a beautiful looking boat...nice lines. I couldn't see the make or model

What would you say the advantages for a full inboard drive on a boat in this size range?...A planning hull go fast boat...

This one was much more seaworthy looking than the ski natiques...but same idea.

I'm reminded of the 23ft Penn Yan that dad had when I was young. that was a tunnel drive arrangement so way worse I know...but it was a nightmare handling in close quarters so I don't get it. I think I'd much rather have an outboard or I/O for a boat this sort of size
skyhawk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2021, 12:28 PM   #2
Guru
 
City: Rochester, NY
Vessel Name: Hour Glass
Vessel Model: Chris Craft 381 Catalina
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 7,554
To me, the choices are inboard or outboard. I/Os are piles of junk that I'd have a rough time accepting for free. Too many failure points and with the engine jammed against the transom, they're hard to work on too.

An inboard or I/O setup gives you the option of powering it with a small diesel if desired. And if you plan to use the thing a lot, especially in salt water, a proper inboard with closed cooling is likely to be the most durable and longest lived configuration. Plus you get a clean transom for a swim platform or fishing without worrying about an engine or drive being in the way back there.

There's a guy locally with one of the 23ft Mako inboard center consoles. Not only is it a very well liked boat, but without the giant outboard stuck on the back, it's a whole lot better looking than most other similar size center consoles.
rslifkin is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2021, 12:34 PM   #3
Scraping Paint
 
City: nowhere
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 934
Quote:
Originally Posted by skyhawk View Post
I think I'd much rather have an outboard or I/O for a boat this sort of size
I've owned all three, and from personal experience, shafts are the way to go.

-They're cheaper to maintain
-They're cheaper to repair
-They're easier to work on
-They suffer the least corrosion, with a closed cooling system of course.
toocoys is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2021, 02:08 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Turtle Blues's Avatar
 
City: Chesapeake Bay
Vessel Name: High Noon V / SV Evelyn
Vessel Model: Golden Star 42 / Ericson 30 / Yard full of trailer boats
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 296
Got a yard full, how many do you want?
I/O absolutely at the bottom of the list as far as the mechanicals, bellows, and having to work on it. Bravo racing drives are pretty sexy though.



OBs are always in the way on the fishing boats and I won't even start on the outrageous cost of multiples, but a 1/2 cavitation short leg setup is still one of the fastest per hp combinations.

Long term lowest cost of repair and dependability has to to to full IB along with the easy access off the rear.
Turtle Blues is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2021, 02:20 PM   #5
Valued Technical Contributor
 
DavidM's Avatar
 
City: Litchfield, Ct
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,786
Inboards are simpler certainly. But the depth of the engine and drive train means a higher cockpit deck, plus they are heavy.

I/Os are generally crap as noted above. All of the disadvantages of a straight inboard, but none of the advantages.

For less than 30', outboard is the way to go. In the past outboards were fuel hogs, no more.

David
DavidM is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2021, 02:23 PM   #6
Scraping Paint
 
City: nowhere
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 934
Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidM View Post
For less than 30', outboard is the way to go. In the past outboards were fuel hogs, no more.
Now they're just money hogs. LOL Have you priced outboards lately? They're outrageous.
toocoys is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2021, 02:32 PM   #7
Guru
 
psneeld's Avatar
 
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,149
There have been some very popular inboards under 30 feet. Usually open or downeast design.


The Chris Craft Dory, Pacemaker Wahoo, Shamrock 26..others too just those are the 3 I am most familiar with.



Granted, all older boats but like other classics, sought after by some.
psneeld is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2021, 03:56 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
City: NE Florida
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 273
I've never owned or even operated an IO but your points all make perfect sense about them.
And it's been a long time since I've done any fishing but yeah I can certainly see that clear stern as an advantage there

Ah, a Shamrock....many years ago when I was just a teen I remember going with dad to look at and test drive a Shamrock. that was when he ultimately bought the Penn Yan. My guess is that the Shamrock would have been a much better boat even if not the better deal.

that tunnel drive was horrible...bad low speed handling and top heavy poor stability
but a more traditional inboard for a boat that size still seems to me to be not worth whatever advantages...doesn't appeal to me....
draft, poor low speed handling, potential for leaks at the shaft seal...
skyhawk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2021, 05:31 PM   #9
Guru
 
City: Seattle
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,312
Quote:
Originally Posted by toocoys View Post
Now they're just money hogs. LOL Have you priced outboards lately? They're outrageous.
Simple solution... slow the heck down. A moderately sized single outboard engine. Do you really need to go 45+ knots? How about powering for a 20 knot cruise?

So absolutely agree with most comments above: an outboard for <30ft for a "normal" boat, then an inboard diesel for larger, then use the I/O as an artificial reef.
Mako is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2021, 05:54 PM   #10
Scraping Paint
 
City: nowhere
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 934
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mako View Post
Simple solution... slow the heck down. A moderately sized single outboard engine. Do you really need to go 45+ knots? How about powering for a 20 knot cruise?

So absolutely agree with most comments above: an outboard for <30ft for a "normal" boat, then an inboard diesel for larger, then use the I/O as an artificial reef.

The 75hp Yamaha starts at $10,000.

Yamaha Outboard Price List

So yeah... even “moderately sized” outboards are outrageously priced, especially when you consider you can buy a brand new 5.3L V8 for 5 or 6 grand.
toocoys is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2021, 07:11 PM   #11
Guru
 
City: Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island
Vessel Name: Capricorn
Vessel Model: Mariner 30 - Sedan Cruiser 1969
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 2,019
Power preference is regional and usually for a reason. Full disclosure I have an I/O.

In the Pacific Northwest, cruising from location to location is more a reality than anywhere else pretty much on the North American continent. One of the big deals is having a dinghy. Being on the hook is much more an option here and with it the dinghy is your "family" car. You use it to explore, fish, supplies to the mother boat and visit neighbours. I have seen all manners of dinghy substitutes up here from towed canoes, solid kayaks, inflatable kayaks, and a host of older solid dinghies.

Swim platforms are the traditional residence of a dinghy. Of course on larger boats you can have a crane system which is not my favourite, think elevated wind and waves. There are boat manufactures up here and they have definitely taken note of the outboard craze on the east coast. But the dinghy becomes the issue. Aspen is a well known power cat in our waters and they have recognized this problem and have begun to create dinghy design storage systems for their boat. Also Cutwater and the like in the dilemma, outboard but where do you put the dinghy?

I am an old fart and don't want to struggle with putting a motor on a dinghy hence I use the Seawise Davit system. I know over a certain weight you can have problems with this system but it suits many of us well. This system stores the motor and dinghy in one pull up, the motor separates from the dinghy and remains stored beside the dinghy.

Fisherman up here gives two twits about dinghies, they've been outboards all the way since Jesus was in diapers.

On the East coast, particularly places like Florida with few nifty islands to go to, who needs a dinghy. I have watch the Haulover videos and I've yet to see one boat with a dinghy on the back or above. Florida is more a go out for the day or so and come back kind of boating experience hence many more bow riders and center consoles than you will find in Washington and BC. And in Florida, my conclusion is you don't have a real boat unless you four or more outboards on the back all colour coordinated to the boat colour. I have never seen this once in BC.

Now to switch locations, I watch a channel that only shows photos and videos from around the world under different themes. I have watch a few of the canals in Italy. And to my surprise there are very few outboards, most have I/O's or shaft driven boats. I'm not sure why that scenario has evolved there.

So I see you are out east - go for the outboard.
rsn48 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2021, 07:30 PM   #12
Guru
 
Nomad Willy's Avatar
 
City: Concrete Washington State
Vessel Name: Willy
Vessel Model: Willard Nomad 30'
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 18,743
David M wrote;
“For less than 30', outboard is the way to go. In the past outboards were fuel hogs, no more.”

It may be … or may not. IMO
It would require modern or new OB’s to have freshwater cooling that I don’t think they have or some other means of controlling the corrosion problems that have always been.
Gas engines need to have a cooling system that will allow operate at 180 degrees f. I think OB’s operate at 130 degrees. I think that w/o the hotter running the cylinder walls would perform the service of a large heat sink and that has in the past put a huge dent in the fuel efficiency of four stroke OB’s.

Is there something new in OB cooling systems? I love outboards but ??
__________________
Eric

North Western Washington State USA
Nomad Willy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2021, 07:40 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Mark P's Avatar
 
City: Hilton Head Island
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 291
Well, I need to chime in to defend the I/O. I had a couple, both fresh and salt water - only Mercruiser experience. A very stable platform because of engine torque, lower rpms, and props are deeper in water. Big advantage is ability to trim outdrive up in case you wander aground - ask me how it worked ��. The issue of maintenance is fair - more in saltwater than fresh water but still not bad. Figure 2k per year on a 350hp Bravo3 which is about what I spent with it in salt 24-7-365.
Mark P is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2021, 07:49 PM   #14
Guru
 
tiltrider1's Avatar
 
City: Seattle
Vessel Name: AZZURRA
Vessel Model: Ocean Alexander 54
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 4,309
Everything about a boat is a compromise. Since most people on this forum are oriented towards slow long distance travel, inboard diesel will be the preference.

Fisherman seem to be in a hurry to get to the fishing grounds and then they want maximum open space for fishing from. No surprise they gravitate to outboards.

Lake boaters need a combination of space, speed and tilting for trailering. It’s easier for the builders to build the boat around an I/O than build for an outboard. The cost of a diesel is a no go with this crowd. There is an argument that the long run cost of purchasing and maintaining an outboard is cheaper than an I/O. However, people buy a boat based off of purchase price and rarely figure in long term maintenance. This is why lake boats are mostly I/O.
tiltrider1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2021, 08:07 PM   #15
Guru
 
psneeld's Avatar
 
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,149
Not sure about the builders favoring I/O over outboard....when I worked for Sea Ray 2000-2003....most every model for years was an I/O....withing a decade or so, I noticed most new small Sea Rays were an outboard versus an I/O.


Seems like outboards have dominated many markets in the last 10-15 years back East at least. Even 30-40 foot boats that used to be diesel powered have gone the way of outboards.
psneeld is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2021, 07:10 AM   #16
Scraping Paint
 
City: nowhere
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 934
I do have to say though, lately there’s been a wave of “cabin cruisers” around here with outboards though. And I’m not talking Sea Rays with a cuddy cabin. I’m talking 30’-40’ hard top, deck salon, lower berth type cruisers with two, three, or four outboards.
toocoys is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2021, 07:21 AM   #17
Guru
 
Fish53's Avatar
 
City: Rockport
Vessel Name: Ana
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,047
Funny, I had the impression this was a "trawler" site?
Fish53 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2021, 07:25 AM   #18
Guru
 
City: Rochester, NY
Vessel Name: Hour Glass
Vessel Model: Chris Craft 381 Catalina
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 7,554
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fish53 View Post
Funny, I had the impression this was a "trawler" site?

It is, but plenty of us here own boats that wouldn't qualify as a trawler, but mostly get used similarly to the trawlers on here.
rslifkin is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2021, 07:49 AM   #19
Guru
 
Fish53's Avatar
 
City: Rockport
Vessel Name: Ana
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,047
Quote:
Originally Posted by rslifkin View Post
It is, but plenty of us here own boats that wouldn't qualify as a trawler, but mostly get used similarly to the trawlers on here.
Yeah, I get that....
Fish53 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2021, 08:05 AM   #20
Guru
 
psneeld's Avatar
 
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,149
Fish, what length is your smaller vessel (the one you posted in the riding sail thread)?


That's a pretty good example of a smaller inboard. Care to share your thoughts on its pros and cons as an inboard vs outboard?
psneeld is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Trawler Port Captains
Port Captains are TF volunteers who can serve as local guides or assist with local arrangements and information. Search below to locate Port Captains near your destination. To learn more about this program read here: TF Port Captain Program





All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:16 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2006 - 2012