![inboard vs outboard boat inboard vs outboard boat](https://www.formulaboats.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2-outboard.jpg)
The drive shaft is connected to a propeller.
![inboard vs outboard boat inboard vs outboard boat](https://dygtyjqp7pi0m.cloudfront.net/i/27765/24929025_2.jpg)
Inboard engines are mounted inside the hull’s midsection and are connected to a drive shaft that runs through the bottom of the hull. As we can already tell, the planned use cases for your boat are a major component of deciding upon the best boat engines. The design, however, means the boater has better transom access which can benefit activities such as fishing (it’s no surprise that outboard engines are typically the primary choice for fishing boats).
#Inboard vs outboard boat full
An additional benefit comes with the ability to tilt the engine up when traveling through shallow waters and thus protecting the equipment.Ī drawback of this design is the fact that a boat with an outboard motor cannot have a full swim platform (may have twin swim platforms flanking the outboard engine). In addition to providing propulsion, outboard engines also provide steering control by pivoting and controlling the direction of the thrust.īecause the self-contained outboard engine is mounted to the transom, maintenance is quite easy. According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Outboard Engine Sales Trends report, outboard engine retail sales increased for the 7th consecutive year in 2018 to a 12-year high.Īn outboard motor is a self-contained unit that includes the engine, gearbox and propeller, mounted on the boat’s transom sitting outside the hull at the back of the vessel. Fueled partially by a growing popularity in pontoon boats and saltwater fishing vessels, sales of outboard engines have been growing steadily in recent years. The growth in recreational boating has had a corresponding growth in popularity and advancements in outboard engines. In this article, we will go over the various types of boat engines, the pros and cons of each, consider more deeply the debate between outboard motors and sterndrive motors, and finally, discuss some of the newer technologies hitting the market with regards to boat propulsion. Like the type of the boat and the amenities it offers, boat engines are an important consideration when thinking through your various boating use cases and when examining initial and long-term costs. Boat engines are an important topic whether you are buying, selling or maintaining a boat.