![]() ![]() Then the Great Recession of 2008 finished off the few that were left. Unfortunately, global economic conditions, foreign wars, and misguided government tax policies spelled the doom for most of the builder that made this types of boats. Throughout the 1960s to the 1990s, inboard gasoline engines were popular in express cruisers, cabin cruisers, express fish boats, and even some small motoryachts in the 3o” to 45” ( 9.10 to 13.71 m) range. But, with experience and patience, most owners get onto it, and this issue did not keep over 13,000 people last year from buying inboard engine tow boats. Perhaps the biggest downside to a single inboard is that they are challenging to dock for the beginner. With the props no longer exposed, regular bow riders are now being used for wake surfing. Their experience can guide you in choosing the best engine for your budget and needs.Mercury’s Four S forward drive was second to market but is picking up in popularity.īoth Volvo and Mercury have introduced forward-facing lower units that put the props about 26” (.66 cm) forward of where they would be otherwise. “Yes, draining the engine oil on an outboard is easier than pumping the oil out of a stern drive engine,” Lewis says, “but with the sophistication of all these engines (outboards and stern drives) without the training and software there isn’t much more that maintenance type service they could do.”Ĭonsult the experts at Mt. While outboards are easier to access, it doesn’t mean that working on them is necessarily easier for owners. Outboards don’t have distributor caps and rotors so parts costs are usually about $100 less for an annual service. Both require engine oil, oil filter, spark plug, water pump impeller and gear case lube changes. Maintenance wise, both stern drives and the new higher horse power engines are similar. “An outboard motor mounted in the middle of the transom is often just in the way.” “All take place off the rear of the boat which makes this space very important,” Lewis explains. Most of these types of boats are used for watersport activities, tubing, skiing, wakeboarding and other tow activities. On the other hand, bowriders and deck boats have the space for inboard engines. “There isn’t a good place for an inboard engine on a pontoon/tritoon to be installed,” Lewis notes. Outboards are the best choice to power pontoons and tritoons simply because of the boat configuration. Dora sells Yamaha outboards and Volvo Penta stern drives.īoth engines have advantages, depending on the kind of boat you have and the activities you’re planning, be it fishing, cruising or watersports. Outboards in the 200, 250 and even 300 HP range are common place.” “Ten years ago, if you wanted more than 200 HP, stern drives were your only option,” says Joe Lewis, General Manager at Mt. The engine sits just forward of the transom while the drive unit (outdrive or drive leg) lies outside the hull. A sterndrive combines inboard power with outboard drive. ![]() Outboards provide more room in the boat because they are installed on the transom, outside the boat. There are two choices to power your craft: outboard or stern (inboard) drive. OK, you’ve picked out your new boat… now a crucial decision looms: the engine. ![]()
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