Outboard vs. Inboard

[fish-on37]

Looking at two boats right now. Both are 19ft aluminums. One has a 115 Honda and the other is a 4.3 V6 Mercruiser sterndrive. New to boating so not sure what to go with. Will mainly fish the sound for salmon and halibut but also want to hit the big rivers for salmon and sturgeon. Some advice would be great. Thanks

[Practical Approach]

I would go with the outboard.  They are lighter, more power to weight and have less maintenance to deal with.  If you go with the inboard, you will need a freshwater cooling system installed if you want the engine to last longer when fishing the saltwater. 

[Skillet]

Major benefit to an outboard is improved deck space.  That Honda is very fuel efficient and pretty much bullet proof.  Never going to crack the block due to freezing weather, either.  Services are easier to do (not necessarily cheaper if you take to a marina, though) on an outboard.  It will do everything you've indicated you will ask it to do.  Now that the manufacturers have pretty much nailed a reliable, high power-to-weight ratio outboard, it seems like boats in the size range of the one you're describing would be mis-matched with an I/O in a fishing boat.  My 115 merc four stroke will push my 17' aluminum to 44 MPH on the GPS, and truly sips fuel when I'm cruising around at 25 mph.  Couldn't be happier.

[rasbo]

outboard...

[groundhog]

Outboard all the way!! Better power to weight ratio = better hole shot, better fuel efficiency.

[wildmanoutdoors]

Outboard!

[superdown]

1 vote for the outboard especially since it's a Honda plus you don't loose three like feet of space in the boat and less weight and better mpg.

[Alchase]

Clarification, that would be outboard vs inboard/outboard, inboard/outboards have stern drives. Inboards have driveshaft and props under the boat, like most waterskiing boats.
Outboards are much more efficient and less costly to maintain then inboard/outboards. Outboards also do not take up interior space like an inboard/outboard does so you get much more usable interior area for the same size boat.

[whacker1]

If you get a smokin' deal on the 4.3Litre v6, I wouldn't be warry of that one either.  It is a good motor, which is more than enough for 19 aluminum.  But dollar for dollar you would be better served with the outboard.  I just don't want people to give you the wrong impression about the other option.

[shoot-em-dead]

outboard

[ser300wsm]

Outboard, agree with what everybody stated.... 

[TeacherMan]

I like outboards just because you can physically see what is happening to them, example if they are cycling water. Inboards to me are out of sight out of mind. Plus I like the extra room in the boat that outboards give.

[JimmyHoffa]

For that size boat and what you stated for intended purposes, I will also say outboard.  Much less hassle, easy to swap around,easier for trim/tilt, etc.  I think the guys stating the argument for power to weight are talking about the specific motors being compared.

[Bofire]

outboards easy to steal, expensive to work on, perform VERY well, more inboard space for you: in boards, cheap to maintain easier to work on, stern drive units kinda suck and break, take up room.
Carl
 

[Rick]

outboards easy to steal, expensive to work on, perform VERY well, more inboard space for you: in boards, cheap to maintain easier to work on, stern drive units kinda suck and break, take up room.
Carl
 

Outboard kickers may be easy to steal,but a 115 four stroke is almost 500lbs. There are citys full of easier targets than an outboard that big.