Outboards vs Inboard/Outboards

Outboards or Inboard/Outboards? This video will cover each type of marine engine, their advantages, disadvantages, use-cases, and our ultimate recommendation! Watch now to learn more!

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0:00 Intro
0:17 Outboards
0:41 Pros of Outboards
2:12 Cons of Outboards
2:32 Inboard/Outboards
3:11 Pros of I/Os
3:58 Cons of I/Os
7:06 Outro

[Rashnak]

for larger boats (40-50') I/O's do have a few unlisted advantages. An I/O can be diesel (longer lasting), can use a pod drive for 360 degree directional control with a single engine, can have a much larger alternator to generate electricity, and the waste heat can be used for cabin heat and hot water.

[TheStephenspann]

I own both. The I/O does a lot better job of getting on plane with a boat ful of people, it has more torque. It's also very quiet, and the prop is safely under a swim platform. With the outboard, I like being able to look back and see the steering angle of the motor, which helps if you get distracted and don't remember which way the prop is facing. I think if your on a buget, and not buying something 2015ish or newer, an I/O is the way to go. Yes there are bellows to deal with but they last a long time, and the engine isn't much different from one in a truck. I did a bunch of research before buying an I/O and I had nearly talked myself out of it, thinking it wouldn't survie salt water. However, I'm running the original risors and manifolds from 2005. I always flush the motor with salt away after use.

[hilljackzack]

I’ve been on both styles as a deck hand to charter fishermen and commercial fishermen and honestly it really depends what size boat you have and what you want to do with it. I’d say if your just going out on the lake with a couple of buddies and fishing then outboards are the way to go (in the case of my dad this has always been his go to setup) however if your taking a group of guys out on the water to fish particularly as a charter captain, taking your wife and kids out to the beach swimming, or just running a big ass commercial fishing boat then stern drives (especially if they’re diesels) are your ticket. AGAIN! I’ve never actually owned ether but I have 12 years experience off and on as a deck hand and also fishing with my friends and even once dated a girl whose dad owned a boat plus having a dad who owns a boat and this is just my take on it. That said if I ever buy a boat it’ll probably be about 16 foot long and will have a godevil 23 hp Vanguard long tail on it.

[JDC]

When making the decision remember that I/O technology has come a long way too. The newer Mercruiser 4.5 and 6.2 are built specifically to be marine engines. Older I/Os were marinized automobile engines and not made to stand up to a wet environment. Also the bellows and other materials sealing the transom are much better as well.

[Dom-pfwd]

Great video, thanks!Just started researching and looking for an outboard bowrider.Actually looking hard at that Tahoe 210 the other day.

[garycapley]

Owned a jet boat and loved it! They are simple and fairly maintenance free, down size is they rob power. Looking into pontoon boat now that I’m older and wiser 😂 outboard power now.

[stifflkd]

Until I can get an OB freshwater cooled with a duoprop I will keep my I/O. But that still will not compensate from the poor weight distribution of a OB.

[stevelyles]

I have had both. The current boat is 2004 Boston Whaler with twin 200 2 stroke with 700 hrs. I bought this boat new. I will not be going back to IO.

[mussersbowsboatsandscience]

Actually, I saw quite a few pontoon boats I/O

[Patrick-eieio]

In the early 1990's I owned an 18' Cobia bow rider with a 120hp OMC stringer mounted stern drive. Not the greatest set-up. As a result, that experience left a bad impression to me for stern drive powered boats. I have not considered a stern drive since then.

[mickylottering]

If you want to go fast, then put an outboard on your boat. If you want to go really fast, then you have to put the engine inside the boat.