Outboard - v - Sterndrive

[pjclift]

I'm in the market for a 20 - 22ft.walkaround which could be either outboard or sterndrive powered with say a Suzuki 140 fourstroke or a Mercruiser/Volvo installation of a similar hp. 3 questions:- 1. Which will be the cheapest to maintain & service? 2. Which will have the best fuel consumption? 3. Will the sterndrive set up cope with being on a drying mud berth for up to 8 month a year? Don't forget that petrol(gas) here in the UK costs around $5 a gallon so boating in any performance boat is expensive. You lot in the US are really lucky

 

[495v]

Re: Outboard - v - Sterndrive

Funny thing you should mention this. Refer to the engines and motors section, page 2 near the bottom. Look for a post titled "inboard / outboard change to outboard"

 

[walkabout]

Re: Outboard - v - Sterndrive

I have owned two I/O stern drives and about 10 outboards and I promissed myself that I would never own a I/O drive again. While the engine is easier to work on, the outdrive is a bummer. Universal joints, shims, water-pick, hard to keep drive out of the water when docked, and etc. IMHO, I would most assuredly go with the outboard.<br />s/Toby

 

[DJ]

Re: Outboard - v - Sterndrive

JC,<br /><br />I've owned both. They both have their merits.<br /><br />I/O's.<br /><br />1. They're car engines in a boat.<br />2. It takes alot of gear to get them to push a boat.<br />3. The concept came about when outboards topped out at about 80 hp.<br /><br />O/B's.<br /><br />1. Desined for nothing but pushing a boat.<br />2. Lighter, faster, less maintenance. The new four strokes are going to be the death of the I/O. Except in the EXTREME horsepower ranges.<br /><br />Just my opinion!

 

[feathercrafter]

Re: Outboard - v - Sterndrive

$5 bucks per gallon?? Better buy some OARS.<br />I went Stern-Drive because it is less strain on the transom because a high horse power Outboard is wicked heavy. They are quieter than 2-strokes, and, after replacing a transome on my Glastron Outboard I would say that a sterndrive tends to keep the transom dry with the oily environment down there. Also, with a sterndrive you have a higher stern freeboard so you have much less chance getting swamped in rough seas with an engine quit and your bow facing downwind while you are waiting for help to arive.<br />Outboards ARE really straight-forward though.