Outboard or Inboard/Outboard

[Fnet]

I'm considering buying a Bayliner Bowrider. There are 2models under consideration - an outboard motor or an inboard/outboard. The boat will be used in salt water on the Gulf, Florida's west coast. It will be stored under cover out the water after each use.

I need some independent advice as to which motor is the better choice from the viewpoint of maintenance, wear and reliability.

Thank you in dance for you help

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Inboard or Inboard/Outboard

Re: Inboard or Inboard/Outboard

Outboard will be much easier to trailer due to it's light weight, and require lots less maintenance. The cast iron risers and manifolds on the I/O will rot out in salt water, unless you flush them after each use. The OB (if carb) will use twice the fuel for the same fishing trip. I/O will take up more room in cockpit. What size boat are you considering?

 

[lprizman]

Re: Inboard or Inboard/Outboard

Re: Inboard or Inboard/Outboard

outboard all the way,,,,consider a different hull as well

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Inboard or Inboard/Outboard

Re: Inboard or Inboard/Outboard

get an outboard, and put it on a seaworthy hull that's designed for outdoor use.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Inboard or Inboard/Outboard

Re: Inboard or Inboard/Outboard

For salty boat, outboard with out a doubt. Look at some other brands for a more quality build and sea keeping ability. Maybe even a dual console
rather than a bowrider/runabout.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Inboard or Inboard/Outboard

Re: Inboard or Inboard/Outboard

Outboard will be much easier to trailer due to it's light weight, and require lots less maintenance. The cast iron risers and manifolds on the I/O will rot out in salt water, unless you flush them after each use. The OB (if carb) will use twice the fuel for the same fishing trip. I/O will take up more room in cockpit. What size boat are you considering?

^^^^ I'm with Chris. Would also like to know what boat's you're looking at. Bowriders out on the big water may not be the best way to go.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Outboard or Inboard/Outboard

Well B-Liner offers a 160 (16') thru 190 (19') bowriders with outboards. The "Element" and a couple of deckboats. None of which
are really big enough for anything other than inland lake boating.

 

[QC]

Re: Outboard or Inboard/Outboard

Fixed title.

 

[Fnet]

Re: Outboard or Inboard/Outboard

Outboard will be much easier to trailer due to it's light weight, and require lots less maintenance. The cast iron risers and manifolds on the I/O will rot out in salt water, unless you flush them after each use. The OB (if carb) will use twice the fuel for the same fishing trip. I/O will take up more room in cockpit. What size boat are you considering?

Chris - thanks a ton for your speedy reply to my post. I'm new to boating and also new to forums so I hope this post reaches you!

I'm considering either the Bowrider 170 which is 17ft or the Bowrider 180 which is 18ft. I will not be using a trailer as the boat will be stored in a storage facility which removes the boat from the water after use and I will flush the motor with fresh water thereafter.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Outboard or Inboard/Outboard

The motor box of an I/O will use up a lot of the cockpit in that size boat. Probably best to go OB.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Outboard or Inboard/Outboard

Definitely outboard for saltwater. And yeah, I'd look for a "dual console" boat as opposed to a bow rider. More freeboard, self-bailing deck, just all around more seaworthy.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Outboard or Inboard/Outboard

Gotta' tell ya' - I've been out on the Gulf several times in various conditions. Really don't wanna' be out there in a 17' in most of my experience. Smallest I've been out in is a 19' ... any appreciable swells and the boat feels a little small. My 2?.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Outboard or Inboard/Outboard

Gotta' tell ya' - I've been out on the Gulf several times in various conditions. Really don't wanna' be out there in a 17' in most of my experience. Smallest I've been out in is a 19' ... any appreciable swells and the boat feels a little small. My 2?.

there are some 17-19' hulls that can handle that kind of open water but "handle" is more about safe than comfortable, like Parker or proline or the "sea" boats (sea hunt, sea ox, etc.) for the deep V or whaler/carolina skiff for the flat bottoms. It's really more about the user and how bad he wants to be out when it's rough, but also an important factor for fair-weather boaters who go out when it's nice but have a long run home when it gets ugly.

but to the OP; you are new to boats, and the advice here is from experience--you need to get the "bowrider" off the list and look at suitable and safe boats for your intended use.

 

[Fnet]

Re: Outboard or Inboard/Outboard

Thanks for answering my query. I intend using the boat close to the shore - I'm not going to go out into the sea - just a bit of pleasure boating close to the shore line. Do you think the Bowrider 17' is not suitable for this????

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Outboard or Inboard/Outboard

Thanks for answering my query. I intend using the boat close to the shore - I'm not going to go out into the sea - just a bit of pleasure boating close to the shore line. Do you think the Bowrider 17' is not suitable for this????

Not suitable for ocean use , even close to shore. Except on the 2 days per year it is completely flat.

Buy this instead.

2012 Key West 186 Dual Console Power Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Outboard or Inboard/Outboard

Not suitable for ocean use , even close to shore. Except on the 2 days per year it is completely flat.

Buy this instead.

Agreed. Note that the dual console has basically the same interior configuration as the baylinerbowrider. There are other brands that make that design.

But consider the center console with built-in bow seating--carries more people, roomier for moving around, versitile, lighter weight, less "finish" such as fixed upholstery that takes a beating (sun?) and requires care. Just as comfortable for most users to sit in; way more user friendly for active users.

Just for examples, to compare apples to apples, go to the seahunt website and look at their duals and centers. But there are plenty of other brands that are equivalent, such as the Key West that Slip suggested.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Outboard or Inboard/Outboard

A quick search on Gulf coast found the KW. It is priced about where a B-liner bowrider is. Maybe not the ideal choice, but close to a bowrider like the OP was considering.
A good CC is also an excellent suggestion.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Outboard or Inboard/Outboard

I hate the CC boats. They are windy and cold on anything but hot days, and those lousy cushion seats in the bow are useless for anything, when the boat is moving. of course anchor up on a calm day and you can get some sun. I do not understand why they are so popular. I like seats that support my back and pad my butt. The DC boats are ideal for that.

You will only sit in the bow of a CC once, while on the bay in the afternoon, with the 3' chop. Then you will spend the rest of the summer in the chiropractor's office.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Outboard or Inboard/Outboard

to each his own, but that opinion is not shared by many families who find them to be a great design and who enjoy riding in the bow. And what works in Florida might not work in NJ in the winter in 3' chop, for those who go out in such conditions.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Outboard or Inboard/Outboard

HC, The cold is only in the winter, but the chop is everyday, or nearly everyday, in the afternoon. So if you want to be out on the bay in the afternoon, you deal with the chop.

You are correct that CCs are likely the most popular boats, I just cannot understand why, for the reasons I gave.