Archie Bunker wrote:
Our family is rapidly outgrowing the boat. Its time for a bigger one.
On a pleasure boat, mainly used for tubing, hydrosliding etc., what are
the disadvantages and advantages of outboards compared to inboards as
far as performance, handling, fuel economy, reliability, longevity?

OT: Just bught a new boat ... went with I/O ... again. Reason ... that
tried and true 4.3L Volvo Penta (which meets current emmisions) costs a
lot less than the equivalent outboard ... a lot less. And the boat ...
170 Seaswirl (2006) bowrider ... balances very nicely with that I/O ...
and goes like a bat :-).