Having gone through outbd and I/Os and typical comments from users at this
end of the world.

1. I/Os are a pain, running and repair costs are much higher, but fuel
burn is much better on inbds.
2. Engine access is usually worse than outboards.
3. Outbds are much simpler mechanically, no valves, belts (at least not
on earlier 2 strokes), no fancy exhaust system.
4. You get pull-start possibility on the 2 stroke outbds, caveat is
constant right arm maintenance is required
5. Cost of outboards is cheaper over here, probably due to smaller
pleasure craft market size compared to commercial users.
6. You can 'carry' the outbds home for repairs. An exhaust manifold
alone will give you hernia.
7. All said, if you need big power, I/Os or inbds the only option.

I got into a boat with I/O due to higher power requirements and gas which
cost US3.30 a gal over here. Carbed outbd efficiency is just too low to run
big engines at $3 a gal.

Tan PS

"HugYourPug" wrote in message
...
What are the relative merits of each. I have been looking at some boats
and the
inboards seem to offer a lot more boat for the money, but a lot of people
buy
outboards, so there must be some merit there. Fishing, cruising and skiing
are
the objective.