The motor engine of a boat can greatly impact the type of boating activities that you can enjoy, as well as affect the maintenance costs of owning a boat. While there are many different maritime engines and power choices available, there are two main types: inboard and outboard motor engines.

If you are thinking of purchasing your first boat or upgrading the one you already have by buying a Yamaha boat motor, for example, you will come across many choices regarding the boat’s motor, namely choosing between an inboard and an outboard motor. This article will go into detail about these two power choices and their pros and cons.

Pros and Cons of Inboard Engines

An inboard motor or a sterndrive engine package unit offers boat owners a much smoother and almost car-like driving experience. As these engines are very similar to car engines, with the help of its car-based platform, driving a boat with an inboard motor will resemble driving your car. Moreover, they are also much quieter and more fuel-efficient than outboard motors.

Besides, they have the better build quality, which means that they have a much longer lifespan. Due to their popularity and to the fact that currently there is also more after-sales boating equipment and accessories available, you can easily find inboard engine components on the market.

An inboard boat motor has less drag, which means it can go faster for longer periods than an outboard boat. This makes it ideal for water sports, such as when you want to connect water skis with ropes to them. Another great thing about an inboard motor is that it won’t get in the way of a live harvesting aquarium attached to the boat. This makes it easier to catch fish and keep them alive for later use. This also is the case when connecting your wakeboards and water skis.

The cons of this type of motor are that it takes up space on the boat, which means you will usually fall short when trying to make room for your friends. Moreover, maintaining and winterizing the boat is more expensive as almost all faults will require professional assistance. Plus, these engines tend to have more components, making them heavier.

Pros and Cons of Outboard Engines

Outboard motors are more compact than inboard motors, which means that they take up much less space on a boat, providing passengers with additional room. Another pro of outboard engines is that they are very light in weight and easier to work on.

Moreover, outboard engines are also great for people that like to handle easy repairs and replacements without any assistance. Hence, outboard engines offer a lower maintenance cost, which is ideal for boat owner that is tight on their budget or does not have easy access to a marine dealership.

Another advantage of choosing this type of engine is that it helps you extend the season since the engine is immune to freeze damage. Besides, it also allows you to completely trim up the prop and drive the unit out of the water. Trimming up the prop and drive unit makes the boat very beneficial for shallow water access operations and also if you are fishing in saltwater regions.

Despite its many pros, outboard engines also have a few cons. The first is that they are louder than inboard engines. Therefore, they may not be ideal for people that are looking to boat peacefully and quietly with their friends and family. Secondly, outboard motors are also older than current technological standards, which means that they are much less fuel-efficient than inboard motors. Some even argue that the outboard motors are disruptive to the aesthetic appeal of a boat.

Now it’s up to you what engine you’ll choose ultimately. Your favourite water activity, the size of your boat, your desired maneuverability, how frequently you go out boating, and the year-round climate of your location are just some of the key factors on what engine to get. You can base these factors on the pros and cons of each engine presented above.