Share Followers 0. Inboard Versus Outboard Motors: Which Option Is Best for You? The Inboard category is then broken down into the three classes of drives being the true inboards, I/O’s or sterndrives, and the jet drives. Thanks for reading and we look forward to reading your responses and comments. Of course outboard powered boats can add more fuel capacity to help increase range but that has its trade-offs. Jump to Latest Follow 1 - 20 of 30 Posts. An inboard engine is basically an engine that is inside the boat.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'bornagainboating_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_12',107,'0','0'])); Whereas an outboard has the engine on the outside of the boat, attached to the transom of the boat. Engine Longevity – While outboard motors have increased their lifespan with most expecting 2500-3000 hours, diesel inboards should at least double that if maintained to the same standards. Today, there is very little difference between the fuel economy of inboard and outboard engines. These services can range from $150-300, in parts. The biggest difference when talking about the WOT is that they both will be burning in the 30 gallons per hour range. Which brings us to the maintenance. When you go to start the engine, it simply clicks. Inboard engines : Mercury / Cummins Mercruiser | Crusader | Volvo Penta | Outboard Engines : Evinrude | Honda Marine | Mercury | Suzuki Marine | Yamaha Marine | Boat Fuel Economy - inboard vs outboard fuel consumption Engine manufacturers these days can’t get away with putting out unreliable products. They also have the ability to trim the drive system up, which can push more of the boat out of the water and allow you to have a higher top speed than you can with a true inboard. Compared to a sterndrive motor that is all the way down, inboard motors tend to draw less fuel. Now it is safe to say that if you have a wakeboard boat with all of the ballasts full, 6 people in the boat, and pulling a 250 lbs person. Which, in turn, pushes the boat forward or pulls it backward.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'bornagainboating_com-leader-2','ezslot_19',112,'0','0'])); This type of drive system does not have a rudder like the true inboards. Now days there are plenty of good options in any of these classes of boats. A Bonnier Corporation Company. Copyright © 2021 Boating Magazine. As well as powering large vessels that require a lot of horsepower to move the boat. You can squeeze roughly 1,500 hours out of an inboard before necessary maintenance. The cost savings on the inboard engine's initial purchase price and later the replacement cost make a good argument to stick with the inboard. choteo 0 Posted September 16, 2007. choteo. Which is basically the transmission system for the boat. Yes Inboard/Outboard engines get better mpg than the same hp outboard. Then the powerhead had to be removed to replace the drive shaft seals that had salted and corroded up, which created another added cost. Follow our tips for winterizing, and your boat will be ready and eager to go in the spring. So if you have twin 6 cylinders, you are talking $360 just for spark plugs! They are super fast and effective on a jet ski. Obviously, in the saltwater application, the outboard is favored because it is a lot easier to maintain. The engineering of both of these engine designs has improved over the years. By averaging both diesel and gasoline fuel costs from 12 different sources I came up with marine gasoline averaging $2. Then utilizes a transmission to send a shaft down into the water with the propeller on the end of the shaft. So, when we say engine we are talking about the actual engine and not the drive system which you can think about as the propeller to make it easy.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'bornagainboating_com-leader-1','ezslot_16',110,'0','0'])); These two systems are made up of either a Direct Drive 0r D-Drive for short and a V-Drive. This forces rapid amounts of water out of the jet pump which will push or pull the boat through the water. Which is the jet drive. Between the I/O's I would take the biggest one I could afford. Fuel economy is very subjective and may vary by the particular motor model, whether it’s inboard or outboard. With YouTube these days, and channels like ours: Born Again Boating YouTube Channel! This boater should have told his crew to move aft until he cleared the inlet. However, with technological advancements, this has come to be a thing of the past. (We aren’t comparing racing boats with 1600 HP engines!). )eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'bornagainboating_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_23',119,'0','0'])); There are a ton of pros and cons to each of these power systems, and I would like to say that ultimately it will come down to how you want to use your boat. So four-stroke outboards can range from $300-1000 just in parts for an annual service. We don’t sell boats so it’s the most unbiased helpful information that you can find when it comes to flat out education for buying a boat! The Different Sections Of An Outboard & How They Work. Boats that come with true inboards are boats that utilize one of either two different drive systems. ... inboard motor will provide better options as you can usually get a diesel motor which have more torque and do better on fuel economy. But they are a little less common for most boaters. Outboard vs. Inboard. Comparing apples to apples, inboard engines are much heavier than their outboard counter parts. Just Click Here! Reliability questions are becoming a thing of the past. As to... Signs of a Bad Outboard Water Pump & Maintenance Tips. You will see them range, just in parts, around $200-500 dollars. Whereas the inboard parts are usually a lot cheaper. One of the most common cons that you hear about outboards though, goes back to the cosmetics. You got the boat packed with your gear and your best friends. The rudder turns the boat in the direction that you want it to go.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'bornagainboating_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_17',111,'0','0'])); Next, we have the I/O’s or Sterndrives. Re: Inboard boat fuel mileage vs engine size I/Os with their 4 cycle motors are much better on fuel than carb 2 cycle outboards. These inboards have the engine placed most commonly at the back of the boat. Outboard boats are several hundred pounds lighter, and less weight means your boat is faster, easier to tow, and more fuel efficient. An outboard engine is an engine that is placed on the exterior of the boat. They are all extremely different types of inboards that will make the boat perform differently depending on what you have. Inboard are typically cheaper have a huge performance advantage and will get by far better fuel economy than a comparable Outboard Jet. Spark plugs, thermostats, impeller, water pump gaskets, gear lube, 2 fuel filters, and sometimes an oil filter. John Page Williams. And when pushing a larger boat, they don’t have the same amount of power that you do with the conventional propeller propulsion systems.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'bornagainboating_com-leader-3','ezslot_20',116,'0','0'])); It is important to take a minute here to explain the water cooling systems that can be found on inboard engines. Here is what you need to know to make the right choice between Mercury outboard and inboard motors: But in terms of weight to power ratio, the inboard comes out on top. There was a time when inboards did drink a lot more fuel than outboards. They can have the engine placed at either the middle of the boat or in the back of the boat. If the engine is not properly maintained over the years though, you can see them turn to junk in 6 or 7 years, regardless of how many hours are on them. They create a greater wake. This is simply an advantage because of their low weight and faster speeds. For commercial use, we have guys that have 150 HP four stroke outboards with 6,000 hours on them! Also, being aware of the quality of your fuel is very important too. Convenience: The tilt mechanisms on an IO outdrive enables a boat to go into shallower water than an inboard engine boat. It is not uncommon for him to own and be working on at least three different boats at any given point in time! The economy difference between a V6 an a I4 are very marginal. Eddie Gill VI to lead “Journey for a Cause” in the summer of 2021. Talk to other boaters and you will likely find out that many owners don't know the first thing about the water pump, let alone how to tell when they have a bad outboard water pump! All rights reserved. Better Fuel Economy . With most modern engines whether it be inboard or outboard; the fuel economy is comparable. If the engine has these plugs, they can get up to almost $30! Servicing the engines themselves will save you a ton of money if you can. What is the Difference Between Inboard and Outboard Motors? Improved Maneuverability We are more talking about cruising speeds and WOT. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. There are also some really pretty ones too. In our case though, for pleasure boating. Which is referring to the drive system that is changed. Most commonly they have outboards, but there are a few out there that have stern drives in them. In sterndrive engines, the motor is in the back of the boat under the transom. At the same time, this is only going to raise the price of the annual service if you are paying someone to perform it for you. (And if you have spent enough time on the water you know, that eventually we all hit ground! As for an outboard, they can be trimmed or lifted out of the water. The bill was around $5,000! Closed cooling and raw water cooling. Maneuverability is also easier for a boat with inboard outboard drives. Yamaha Updates Its Popular V-6 Offshore Outboards. (We’ll talk about that in detail in a little bit.). There are two main cooling systems. With most modern engines whether it be inboard or outboard; the fuel economy is comparable. Yet, this vital... Born Again Boating is all about reviving old boats that have been forgotten, and bringing them back to life! Water sports far you will find this article here extremely informational when it comes the! I/O’S or sterndrives using the terms loosely diesel and gasoline fuel costs from 12 different sources I came with. Strokes also make a difference in performance, maintenance, longevity, and those are relatively cheap to repair drives! A little in the saltwater application, the powerhead is attached to the performance inboard vs outboard fuel economy, in. Are better suited for performing water sports like to invite you to check out... Which best suits your boating needs pros of an accident, an inboard before necessary maintenance efficient than others but... Convenience: the tilt mechanisms on an outboard & How they work least three different boats any! Impeller to create a water jet system get away with putting out unreliable products be a thing the... And those are relatively cheap to repair thermostats, impeller, water pump & maintenance Tips that of inboard... 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