Inboard or outboard for saltwater?

[Skillet]

The only times I have been on boats with some sort of motor failure are inboards. I would never own one and never even consider buying one.

I/O s have 2x as many parts most direct drive rigs are longer than 26 ft

I think most folks mistakenly call I/O's "inboards". 

A good diesel inboard installation in an appropriate vessel trumps all other power options, IMHO.  In the case of the OP's scenario, though, an inboard wouldn't make good sense.  A good I/O (think Volvo, Mercruiser Bravo) would end up being a maintenance and repair hassle at best - a poor I/O (think any OMC) would be a nightmare. 

Probably a lot of boats with OMC drives on the bottom of Puget Sound with their drain plugs missing... and the owners feeling like they got out cheap. 

[Buzz2401]

A couple advantages of I/Os is the lower center of gravity and way cheaper to replace. And I feel more reliable when properly maintained but if not maintained they can go downhill fast. I had 700 hours on my 4.3l in my trophy and during that time only problem I had was a coil went out.  Buddy just changed his 7.4 out that had 3200 hours that still ran good for a new 8.2l mercruiser.  Ive seen outboards blow at less then 1000 hours and some that go over 3000 I think maintenance makes all the difference for both.

[magnanimous_j]

The only times I have been on boats with some sort of motor failure are inboards. I would never own one and never even consider buying one.

Something tells me you never had an early 90's bayliner. 

[lokidog]

The only times I have been on boats with some sort of motor failure are inboards. I would never own one and never even consider buying one.

Something tells me you never had an early 90's bayliner. 

Yeah, but that was just thanks to those wonderful Force outboards....   

[MarkyMark]

My '95 Force 120 is as tough as they come. Always gets me home.


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[sled]

My '95 Force 120 is as tough as they come. Always gets me home.


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had an 85 horse force.  What a freaking nightmare!  Glad yours has held up

[jeepster]

My '95 Force 120 is as tough as they come. Always gets me home.


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had an 85 horse force.  What a freaking nightmare!  Glad yours has held up

A reliable force


Either you got the one-in-10-million motor they made right, or you have a messed up sense of humor..... I wouldn't even use a force on a lake boat....

Anyway, outboard vs stern drive..... To each their own....

I find stern drives more stable, the bulk of the motor is centered more, and closer to water line..... The engines however, can be piles of sheet

Mercruiser in general are decent motors. What you get in performance, you lack in reliability. A well maintained Honda outboard will last and out perform a mercruiser inboard. Honda outboards in the 200+ range are Honda civis engines turned on end.

Personally, I'd take a Japanese outboard over a *censored*ized v6 or v8 variant.....

Honda or Yamaha, accept nothing less. Those are the most superior boat motors ever made, aside from diesels, but that's a whole nuther can of worms

[lokidog]

My '95 Force 120 is as tough as they come. Always gets me home.


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Mine did too, until it didn't....      When mine blew the third or fourth three or four hundred dollar power pack, I decided it was time to upgrade.  I'm guessing that by now, the more lame ones (most) have been weeded out.  At least there are lots of decent lower units available if needed.     I have a friend that still uses his 120 out here on the sound, pretty much gets him from point A to point B quickly but he just about has to start it in gear to keep the rpms up and don't even think about trolling with it.

[kisfish]

I have owned both. I would never run a i/o again.

[PolarBear]

When I was in SE Alaska, the 2 most common outboards found in the marine mechanics junk pile was Force and Suzuki.  Will never own either of them again.  I went through 3 Suzuki 115s in less than a year, junked them and bought Yamahas and have had ZERO problems with them. 

[Encore 280]

If you're not worried about the price, E TEC all the way for me. I'd get rid of my wife before I would my E TEC and I really really love my wife. :-)

[RadSav]

If you're not worried about the price, E TEC all the way for me. I'd get rid of my wife before I would my E TEC and I really really love my wife. :-)

I take it your wife doe not visit this site

[Curly]

That is a good endorsement for E-Tec. 

Encore 280 should write to Evinrude and see if they can run with a slogan like that and then get some royalties for the advertising idea.

[PolarBear]

I helped build a bow picker for my buddy a few years ago.  I insisted that he try the 225 E-Tec instead of a Merc.  Man, was he glad that he did.  That boat is a screamer even filled with gear and he absolutely LOVES that E-Tec.  I have said before. Yamaha's first, E-Tec second and Honda's third (if you want to pay way more for just a brand name).

[MarkyMark]

I guess I just got lucky one time in my life. The Force has been decent. I probably just jinxed myself...I have to change the fuel bowl gaskets as they begin to leak after a couple seasons.


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