Inboard V Outboard
Hi All,
Looking to get back into a boat again and having previously owned a Whittley Sea Legend 7 mtr with a 225 Suzuki on the back was hoping to find another one of these or a 6.5mtr with an outboard but not having any luck. I can find plenty with petrol inboards but have never had anything to do with an inboard and I am a bit hessitant and was hoping that you guys can give me information on inboards, which ones to stay away from, which ones are good, is the fuel economy similar to that of an out board, is the service cost similar to that of an outboard, what can go majorly wrong with an inboard, or even if I should just keep waiting and hope that one comes up with an outboard before we start our trips out to the GBR when the wind starts to settle down in a couple of months.
Thanks for the info in advance.
Cheers
Mark
glastronomic
Posts: 892
Date Joined: 16/02/11
I have had outboards and now
I have had outboards and now have an inboard engined boat.
I prefer, on my expirience , if it is a 6.5mtr kinda boat, it to be an inboard MPI fuel injected one Mercury or Volvo.
If it has a diesel even better.
The fire risk is almost the same if it is an outboard or an inboard as the fuel and lines are inside.
Propper maintenance and timely inspections/replacements will prevent all this.
Plus a fire bomb dousing system as fitted in racecars ,in the engine compartment will stop it immedeatly.
No huge weight and engine cover sticking out the back that gets in the way when fishing as with an outboard.
Plus an inboard is much better protected from seawater.
Well there you go just one expirience based on ownership over a long period.
Rob H
Posts: 5803
Date Joined: 18/01/12
sorry but not sure about that
I believe stats show (no I dont have access to them) that an outboard powered boat is less likely to catch fire even than an inboard diesel.
As you would know it takes three elements to get a fire going and an outboard has all likely ignition point external to the hull.
There is no fuel being pumped under pressure and no likely ignition source in the hull.
Most outboard boats wouldnt have anything more than a bilge pump and float switch internally and I doubt you could even buy these non-intrinsically safe.
I know there are tens of thousands of inboard powered boats safely in operation, Ive spent most of my working life in them at sea.
But correct me if Im wrong but if my memory serves me correctly the last two WA burning amateur boats were a sterndrive in Port Hedland (petrol and new?) and a boat in the Swan River recently?
Personally its a 4S outboard or diesel for me.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
crasny1
Posts: 7003
Date Joined: 16/10/08
My thoughts to a T
My thoughts to a T
"I would like to die on Mars. Just not on impact!!" _ Elon Musk
Justo82
Posts: 482
Date Joined: 17/10/11
I would think that an
I would think that an inboard would be great in a few ways, and not so great in others. I have an outboard, but no real experience with inboards.
But wouldn't an inboard have a better wright distribution and get up on the plane easier?
also, no engine or prop to get in the way when fishing off the back.
Downsides, I would imagine access to the engine would be more difficult, as well as underfloor storage options, and possible deck space.
Rob H
Posts: 5803
Date Joined: 18/01/12
your right of course
the points you and Glastro make are 100% correct. For me the two reasons why I would never be likely to have a petrol inboard/stern drive are;
1/ Fire risk. Theres lots that can and is done such as blowers, alarms, fire suppression (only useful AFTER the event) etc but the elements are there none the less.
2/ My sort of boating, involves lots of putting around in very shallow water. While a stern drive can be lifted up a fair way, they dont like being high enough to be above the keel and they also dont like crunching coral
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
glastronomic
Posts: 892
Date Joined: 16/02/11
Most inboard fires are due to
Most inboard fires are due to a leaking tank or hoses, both are inboard items.
My sterndrive lifts up above the keel due to having a 21Degree deadrise soft riding boat.
A negative of inboards is that they are a bit more noicy than the latest 4 stroke outboards as these are just super quiet!
But no big lump hanging on the back!
A lot of newer boats are designed for outboard power and to install an inboard is not the right thing,unless the manufacturer has altered it to work correctly.
converting an inboard designed boat to out board is also a big job.
The longer the waterline the easier it seems to be due to weight distribution not becoming so critical.
Regular maintenance on an inboar is the key and I would not have a carburated inboard engine, only a MPI.
Paul N
Posts: 485
Date Joined: 09/11/06
Only ever had inboard
I have owned the same inboard boat for the past 25 years . Repowered with a merc inline 4 carby model about 3 years ago . Would I get another inboard - YES . But I'm not against outboards either. If I was looking for another boat I wouldnt be bothered what engine type it had . Be more interested in the boats sea handling ability and weather the layout suited my requirements. There are risks associated with an inboard that you don't have with an outboard but I think it all comes down to how you look after it .
When you think of how many boats are out there with inboards and how many have fires etc , I think the risk is minimal . Would suspect those that have had problems are due to poor maintanance or lack of attention to detail when refueling etc.
On the upside I find the motor easier to inspect as its much the same layout as a car motor and i know what im looking at. If something does go wrong I dont need a science degree and a laptop to sort it out . Also easier to work on at sea if you have to , no hanging over the back droping tools and parts in the water.
Weather its an inboard or outboard I think you should have some working knowledge to be able to inspect it for yourself . I always double check all nuts , clamps etc after every service . Funny how many times something is left loose - don't trust anyone when your life is at risk.
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
Two words 'Swim Deck' But yes
Two words
'Swim Deck'
But yes both have pro's and cons, the petrol inboard you need to use the blower for 4 minutes before you start which is pretty annoying. Takes up deck space which is fine anyway, gets used as bait stattion casting deck etc etc.But the swim deck is the best thing ever especially for diving.
JohnF
Posts: 2836
Date Joined: 07/07/10
If inboard, I would only go
If inboard, I would only go diesel for safety, and to make the inboard work I recon you need a 25 ft boat so the motor does not encroach on the cockpit area. There are some exceptions.
Petro inboards noisy and dangerous but do certainly have advantages, and are usually cheaper. Leg maintenance can be a pain and if you don't do it and get water in the leg, big bucks....
For me only an outboard, despite the fact they get in the way a bit when fishing. Can't have everything.
Boston Whaler 235 Conquest......getting the flogging it was built for.
glastronomic
Posts: 892
Date Joined: 16/02/11
No need to run a blower, just
No need to run a blower, just open the motorhatch when you start it and you can see if all is well when it warms up.
Ease of access is a BIG plus.
Dangerous, sadly I disagree with you there as outboards are just as likely to catch fire and lots of bits are made of plastic on these things which can break, split and melt just as easy.
But I happily go out on an outboard powered boats as they are just as much fun to go fishing in when they are well maintained.
In short an inboard powered vessel should not be automaticly be dismissed when buying a boat.
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
The trophy manual clearly
The trophy manual clearly states to run the blower so that's what i will do !
glastronomic
Posts: 892
Date Joined: 16/02/11
On mine the engine sits much
On mine the engine sits much closer to flush with the deck and therefore it clears almost all the stale air instantly.
On some trophies like Kane's boat the motor sits much lower than the deck and I can clearly see the advantage of a blower doing a good job.
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
Whats the point flushing
Whats the point flushing vapor to the deck? That is why you're not allowed to fill decks that open onto a deck, it holds the vapor.
Rob H
Posts: 5803
Date Joined: 18/01/12
just open hatch?
just open hatch-is petrol vapor heavier or lighter than air? got to agree with vinesh there 100%.
Honestly, I cannot remember personally hearing of a modern outboard itself catching fire, and if it did it is as far from the other fuel as poss and above.
The problem being vapor in an inboard is contained below the deck along with every bit of petrol.
Still each to his own
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
Toby Roe
Posts: 118
Date Joined: 01/02/10
Advantages of InboardSwim
Advantages of Inboard
Swim platform
Parts readily available from the US (for GM and ford motors)
V8
Disadvantages of Inboard
Leg doesn’t lift up high enough for shallow stuff and beaching etc.
Fire risk (but have had an old outboard that caught fire).
Manifolds and risers, not something I knew about when buying the boat but since looking into it have been told that these are a consumable in salt water and will cost close to $1800 every 4 or so years to replace.
Although I agree that outboard would be the best, don’t let an Inboard put you off if find the right boat for the right price.
A Diesel would be nice but they are still super expensive atm.
Cheers
snappermiles
Posts: 2100
Date Joined: 05/11/10
why dont you buy the stainless elbows
if your burning them out that often! if you wash them out regularly they shouldnt stuff up that quick but next time you go to replace them try this mob!
http://www.hitekmarine.com.au/products.htm they do stainless steel elbows and manifolds! i will be buying my next set from here! but it wont be for a fair few years yet!
ALL FISHERMEN ARE LIARS EXCEPT YOU AND ME! AND IM NOT SO SURE ABOUT YOU!
Toby Roe
Posts: 118
Date Joined: 01/02/10
I havn't had the boat long so
I havn't had the boat long so this is the first set I am repacing but the Mercruiser bloke told me that that is about the life span I can expect. Seems to match up with the comments on the yankee forums as well.
What would a stainless set like that cost for a v8 mercruiser?
P.S. do you flush using the muffs or do you have one of those flushing systems that connect to the motor and can be used without the motor running?
Cheers
The Saint
Posts: 473
Date Joined: 30/01/13
Outboard all the way !
I've had both and with my current 4s outboard, I doubt I would go back to a sterndrive. The OB hanging off the back is a small price to pay for all the extra space you gain by not having a motor sitting in the middle of your fishing platform. OBs are MUCH better in the shallows, SDs don't like being lifted too far. I never experinced a fire with the stern drive, but did experience the inconvenience of manifolds and risers causing overheating problems, and also the financial pain with what seemed like the all to often requirement to replace these items. And with a stern drive, the maintenance required to keep them reliable increases as the boat ages.
Never had a diesel, so can't comment there.
iana
Posts: 652
Date Joined: 21/09/09
Weight distribution
The weight of the motor is low improving stability. The weight is inboard and closer to the C of G less effect on trim. And all of the above.
kane
Posts: 1752
Date Joined: 07/12/08
always liked outboards
bought mine with an inboard because the price was right...
I have to say i do like it, i was concerned initially however touch wood its been great and i love having the full length marlin board / swim deck across the back to fish off / dive off.
I find it is a bit to noisy for my liking if im drifting with the engine / blower on, but the weight distribution and ride is a benefit..
I would say overall 6 to one half a dozen to the other...
dont rule out an inboard if the boat is right and at the right price
Gooooone Fishin!
JohnF
Posts: 2836
Date Joined: 07/07/10
Pretty fair assessment Kane.
Pretty fair assessment Kane. Definately benefits and negatives with both, but you can certainly get a good buy with an inboard. I like your boat set-up, works pretty well.
Boston Whaler 235 Conquest......getting the flogging it was built for.
Mark M
Posts: 38
Date Joined: 05/11/10
HI guys thanks for the
HI guys thanks for the info
Cheers