inboard vs. outboard
 

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?

inboard vs. outboard
 

Do you mean outboards verses inboard/outboards verses inboards?

Imho, if you are truely into water sports and you trailer your boat
then an outboard is the least desirable. Outboards have superior
weight to power rations but sit on the transom of your boat right where
you will be putting people in and out of the water.

If water skiing and/or wakeboarding is particularly importatnt to you
then a true inboard ski boat is the best choice. Top end ski boats are
expensive. If price was no object I would look at the mastercraft
V-drives. But there are a number of good alternatives these days that
are not so pricey.

An inboard/outboard is a good economical choice for an all around
trailered family recreational boat. The volume that these are produced
in makes them attractive cost wise.

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?

inboard vs. outboard
 

jamesgangnc wrote:
Do you mean outboards verses inboard/outboards verses inboards?

Yes, I meant inboard/outboard....sorry. I would be scared to use a true
inboard around here because of all the stumps here in these East
Texas/West Louisiana lakes. I am also considering jet drive if anyone
has comments about that. Thanks for your responses so far guys. What
about fuel economy on 4 stroke vs. 2 stroke?

inboard vs. outboard
 

"Archie Bunker" wrote in message
oups.com...

jamesgangnc wrote:
Do you mean outboards verses inboard/outboards verses inboards?

Yes, I meant inboard/outboard....sorry. I would be scared to use a true
inboard around here because of all the stumps here in these East
Texas/West Louisiana lakes. I am also considering jet drive if anyone
has comments about that. Thanks for your responses so far guys. What
about fuel economy on 4 stroke vs. 2 stroke?


You might go to www.riverjetmagazine.com forums for jet drive questions.
These are mostly aluminum boats. More expensive than Mastercrafts in lots
of cases.

inboard vs. outboard
 

Jet drives do handle shallow water better than anything else but they
use a lot of gas.

Calif Bill wrote:
"Archie Bunker" wrote in message
oups.com...

jamesgangnc wrote:
Do you mean outboards verses inboard/outboards verses inboards?

Yes, I meant inboard/outboard....sorry. I would be scared to use a true
inboard around here because of all the stumps here in these East
Texas/West Louisiana lakes. I am also considering jet drive if anyone
has comments about that. Thanks for your responses so far guys. What
about fuel economy on 4 stroke vs. 2 stroke?


You might go to www.riverjetmagazine.com forums for jet drive questions.
These are mostly aluminum boats. More expensive than Mastercrafts in lots
of cases.

inboard vs. outboard
 

"jamesgangnc" wrote in message
ups.com...
Jet drives do handle shallow water better than anything else but they
use a lot of gas.

Calif Bill wrote:
"Archie Bunker" wrote in message
oups.com...

jamesgangnc wrote:
Do you mean outboards verses inboard/outboards verses inboards?

Yes, I meant inboard/outboard....sorry. I would be scared to use a true
inboard around here because of all the stumps here in these East
Texas/West Louisiana lakes. I am also considering jet drive if anyone
has comments about that. Thanks for your responses so far guys. What
about fuel economy on 4 stroke vs. 2 stroke?


You might go to www.riverjetmagazine.com forums for jet drive questions.
These are mostly aluminum boats. More expensive than Mastercrafts in
lots
of cases.


The newer Hamilton 212's are about 95% the efficiency of a prop boat. My
Kodiak 3 stage is about 85%. Overall in the total cost of a boat is
negligible.

inboard vs. outboard
 

Bottom line you will have, by far, the most choices in the category of
conventional trailer boats with i/os. If you do not want a real
inboard ski boat then I'd look in this category. If you are staying in
protected water I would also go with a bowrider.

Calif Bill wrote:
"jamesgangnc" wrote in message
ups.com...
Jet drives do handle shallow water better than anything else but they
use a lot of gas.

Calif Bill wrote:
"Archie Bunker" wrote in message
oups.com...

jamesgangnc wrote:
Do you mean outboards verses inboard/outboards verses inboards?

Yes, I meant inboard/outboard....sorry. I would be scared to use a true
inboard around here because of all the stumps here in these East
Texas/West Louisiana lakes. I am also considering jet drive if anyone
has comments about that. Thanks for your responses so far guys. What
about fuel economy on 4 stroke vs. 2 stroke?


You might go to www.riverjetmagazine.com forums for jet drive questions.
These are mostly aluminum boats. More expensive than Mastercrafts in
lots
of cases.


The newer Hamilton 212's are about 95% the efficiency of a prop boat. My
Kodiak 3 stage is about 85%. Overall in the total cost of a boat is
negligible.

inboard vs. outboard
 

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 :-).

inboard vs. outboard
 

Bottom line you will have, by far, the most choices in the category of
conventional trailer boats with i/os. If you do not want a real
inboard ski boat then I'd look in this category. If you are staying in
protected water I would also go with a bowrider.

If he's outgrowing the boat then a bowrider probably isn't what he's after.

What're the limiting factors of your current boat? What extras are you
looking for? That might help better determine what alternatives to
consider.

The usual issues apply, I/O and outboards can be trimmed up but I/O's have
maintenance issues if you're leaving them in the water. Inboards are the
best for maintenance if it's in the water all the time but don't have the
shallower drafts of I/O's. Jet drives have efficiency issues, especially as
you into larger boats.

But it raises the question of what is it you want out of the boat ABOVE the
waterline?

inboard vs. outboard
 

" If he's outgrowing the boat then a bowrider probably isn't what he's
after."

I'm not sure how you come to that conclusion? Sounds like he is
boating on local lakes and that probably means trailering. If he gets
a cuddy he's got no space forward of the driver for passengers. You
think people like to ride in the cabin of a cuddy day boating on a
lake?


Bill Kearney wrote:
Bottom line you will have, by far, the most choices in the category of
conventional trailer boats with i/os. If you do not want a real
inboard ski boat then I'd look in this category. If you are staying in
protected water I would also go with a bowrider.

If he's outgrowing the boat then a bowrider probably isn't what he's after.

What're the limiting factors of your current boat? What extras are you
looking for? That might help better determine what alternatives to
consider.

The usual issues apply, I/O and outboards can be trimmed up but I/O's have
maintenance issues if you're leaving them in the water. Inboards are the
best for maintenance if it's in the water all the time but don't have the
shallower drafts of I/O's. Jet drives have efficiency issues, especially as
you into larger boats.

But it raises the question of what is it you want out of the boat ABOVE the
waterline?

inboard vs. outboard
 

On Fri, 01 Sep 2006 15:27:31 GMT, Shortwave Sportfishing
wrote:

On 31 Aug 2006 07:39:53 -0700, "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?

Interesting question.

I'll readily admit that I'm an outboard type - I much prefer outboards
for a lot of reasons, up to and including performance, economy and
lots of power in a small package.

Having said that, for the application you are interested in, I/O or
straight inboards are probably the best choice. Outboards have the
disadvantage of eating up a lot of stern so things like swim platforms
are not practical. And with an outboard, there is always the issue of
danger with a prop exposed - SS props can be sharp and even at idle or
stopped can be a hazard. This is also true with an I/O, but it's not
as dangerous as the I/O will hang the prop lower - plus there is a
swim platform that one can get in and out of.

Inboard boats for your application are probably the best overall bet
because everything is hung under the boat. In addition, you can
really get freaky with the horsepower. :)

As to handling, in my opinion, outboards out handle I/Os and inboards
but that's a personal preference. I've been on inboards that handled
like a sports car the steering was so responsive. Then again, I can
do much the same with my outboards so I consider that a wash.

My experience with outboards in terms of economy and reliability has
been excellent compared to others who have inboards or I/Os. Generally
maintenance is less (Note: I'm a big two stroke guy so maintenance is
somewhat less than four strokers). Outboards are generally quicker to
diagnose/repair and the cost are somewhat diminished by the fact that
it's exposed and easier to get to than an inboard or I/O.

And that, in my opinion, is that. :)

And I/O's can take up a lot of room in the boat. My next will be an
outboard for many of the reasons mentioned above.
--
******************************************
***** Hope your day is great! *****
******************************************

John

inboard vs. outboard
 

What're the limiting factors of your current boat?
Two small. I get me and three or four kids in it and we are crowded.
Its a 15 foot Lone Star with a 35 Evinrude. It will barely plain with
the kids on a tube(they are heavier than they were a few years ago!)

What extras are you
looking for?
Possibly a walkthrough windshield with room up front for people. Canvas
top. A head.
That might help better determine what alternatives to
consider.



But it raises the question of what is it you want out of the boat ABOVE the
waterline?

Room for people, beer and food!

inboard vs. outboard
 

Its a 15 foot Lone Star with a 35 Evinrude.

Oh. Well.

If that's what you're in then any of the 18 foot+ bowriders would be worth
considering. And if all you're concerned about (watersport-wise) is going
tubing then something with an outboard is likewise worth considering. Going
with a wakeboard or waterskiing inboard Mastercraft might be overkill.
What're other folks on the nearby waters using? Might want to consider
going along with whatever's popular locally, if just to have good dealer
support (if you're considering a new or recent boat).

inboard vs. outboard
 

Archie Bunker wrote:

What're the limiting factors of your current boat?
Two small. I get me and three or four kids in it and we are crowded.
Its a 15 foot Lone Star with a 35 Evinrude. It will barely plain with
the kids on a tube(they are heavier than they were a few years ago!)


Untill you have decided on what you are going to buy.
Get some pitch taken of your prop.
If you are looking at 18' go o/b
i/b take up to much room.