Stern Drive or Inboard?

[Brett]

Currently I own a 20' Hydrostream with a Mariner outboard, but I'm looking to buy an express cruiser in the next year or two. Since I've heard the horror stories of buying a used boat, I'm starting to educate myself now. What is better in terms of perfomance, maintenance and gph, a stern drive or an inboard? Gas vs diesel? I plan on 75 hours per year on the water. I've been looking at older Chris Crafts and Trojans with inboards, and newer boats like the Bayliner Ciera with stern drives. I'm a shadetree mechanic, so I will be doing my own maintenance (within reason), but I'm not up for doing an engine rebuild every 3 years. What parts are most likely to fail? Since I will be purchasing a used boat and, I plan on having a compete marine survey before purchase. My budget is $7,500 to 10,000.<br />Thanks!

 

[TONY H]

Re: Stern Drive or Inboard?

My suggestion would be to go Inboard. Sterndrives are nice if you like to 'beach the boat' and get off but there is maintainence headaches. Gimble bearings,'O'rings, and shifting problems. The Inboards don't have these elements to go wrong. Economy is about the same either way. Diesel is always nice but the price of the equivalent boat with a diesel is much higher. Fuel economy is better with diesel.<br />With an inboard, you have a 'Car' engine with a transmission going directly to a shaft and prop. and I/O you have a 'car ' engine connected to this through-the-transom- housing that connects to the Lower unit that has an equivalent to a car universal joint and few gears to the prop.

 

[Brett]

Re: Stern Drive or Inboard?

Simple question: Does the inboard have some type of "transmission" that allows reverse?