Winterization. Once upon a time, sterndrive was the most popular power option for sport boats. Both require engine oil, oil filter, spark plug, water pump impeller and gear case lube changes. Outboard vs. Sterndrive. New to boating and want more insight into the sport? The sleek lines of the boat without an outboard protruding from the transom made them eye appealing. A sterndrive, or stern drive, is a form of boat propulsion also known as inboard/outboard or I/O. . Latest. Outboard Engines. On the flip side, you get a great holeshot from a performance-designed outboard. By Charles Plueddeman. Certainly one of the biggest advantages to outboard power is the fact that outboards can be tilted up to run in very shallow water. How To. Which marine engine is best for you? Both options are available throughout the TAHOE lineup, just as they are with many runabouts and deck boats of the same or nearly identical model. Torque has practical advantages, such as keeping the boat on plane at slower speeds or pulling a skier or wakeboarder out of the water. Recommended to you based on your activity and what's popular • Feedback Another benefit of stern drive power is safety. A new 250-HP outboard is about $14,000 these days. In the boat industry in general, there is an undoubted trend in outboard powered boats of all kinds, including performance boats. Outboard models allow better transom access for fishing when fighting and landing a prized catch. This provides advantages for fishermen who need to get in shallow waters in search of baitfish, or to the homeowner who has to navigate very shallow waters to get into the neighborhood tidal creek. There is more interior space inside the cockpit without the engine compartment in the way. March 9, 2018 Outboard Motors. You can pick up your area’s local edition at over 11,000 marine specific businesses, retail outlets or big box stores. Mercury Marine Outboard vs. MerCruiser Sterndrive Engines By Meghan O'Quinn November 9, 2020 10 mins read When members of the PartsVu community interested in Mercury Marine engines ask us which type of engine is best, we generally recommend that they first find the boat that fits their needs and the kinds of activities they like to do. The answer is confusing because there is no wrong answer. Winterizing an outboard is simple—you can even do it yourself. Recreational. These lightweight rigs are equally at home in shallow water, too, making Deep Vs the ideal choice for anglers seeking versatility and value in a boat. Lower annual maintenance costs, and easier for the “DIY-er”. When a stern drive is tilted, the engine remains in position. Reaching some parts requires removing either the engine or outdrive, which takes more skill and knowledge, along with money. Inboard motors generally last longer than their outboard counterparts. Where you will notice the difference is toward the stern of the boat. Preventive maintenance and repairs, rigging new accessories and repowering your boat is what you expect to find at the service department of a boat dealership. If you are using a screen reader and are having problems using this website, please call 1-800-227-7776 for assistance. If entertaining family and friends and enjoying watersports is your goal, a sterndrive is hard to beat. From our experience, we will consider the differences in maintenance considerations at 10-15 years for both shaft-drive and sterndrive. Understand that the purchase price will usually be lower for stern drives, but over time, they will cost more. Not just yet. You have just decided to buy a new TAHOE sport boat. We offer the most-complete line of outboard power, for fishing boats and speed boats, for pontoons and tenders, for work and for play. Getting started in saltwater fly fishing can seem like an overwhelming task, but it is really uncomplicated. Advantage of a Sterndrive Powered Bowrider. So for about $6,000 you have a new 250-HP engine. Copyright © 2021 White River Marine Group, LLC.®. If entertaining family and friends and enjoying watersports is your goal, a sterndrive is hard to beat. Additionally, stern drive engines require winterization if a hard freeze is expected. The sterndrive is a widely available and popular for boats under 30 feet. You envision warm, sunny days on the water with the family in the boat of your dreams. Stern drive propulsion systems basically have a marinized automotive engine inside the boat with an out-drive on the outside of the boat. However, the annual maintenance of outboards is generally less. Top-end speeds are impressive as well. Which is better? Bass Pro Shops®/Cabela's® Boating Center™ is the largest volume boat retailer in the world. As the name implies, outboards are mounted high and outside of the transom. Sterndrives also provide an important safety consideration. In addition, we’re also here for your repower needs. Now, potential buyers can better choose the boat configuration that meets the family’s needs and match that to their choice of power. All rights reserved. Outboard and sterndrive go head-to-head using a Glastron GTD 200 and GTD 205. In the old days there was a pretty simple decisive line between the two, the original 2-stroke outboard was inexpensive, had tons of get up and go but this performance was at the expense of high fuel burn as well as … So Here Are Your General Numbers for Inboard Vs. Thank You, we'll be in touch soon. In most applications, stern drive units are underneath the swim platform, providing better protection from the drive when jumping into the water or swimming around the boat. Furthermore, stern drive engines will require exhaust manifolds, usually in 5-7 years in a salt water environment. You can find that expert at any Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Boating Center. 843-744-2628, You may also like to read Choosing the right boat for you. Besides up-front costs, it’s also important to consider the price of maintenance for each type of engine. Saltwater or brackish water are going to have a corrosive effect on the exposed sterndrive motors. First, purchase the right rod and reel. Need info on fishing with kids? For lounging, sunning and enjoying watersports, there is much to like about sterndrive layouts. Operating a PWC Responsibly. With a sterndrive, you don’t have such options, making these boats more seasonal. There it sits in the showroom, ready to be all yours. © 2021 Coastal Angler Magazine Franchising, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Fly Fishing the Blue Ridge Mountains in Georgia, Folly Beach & Kiawah to Edisto Islands Fishing Report For February – Capt John Ward, Charleston’s February Fishing Forecast By Capt. What is a Sterndrive? Let’s do a comparison using a 15 year old 32ft boat as an example. Or, if you prefer digital, our magazines are also available as a, 126-C North Atlantic Ave.| Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 | 321.777.2773 |, Trout Fishing in Blue Ridge GA. It’s the Trout Fishing Capital of Georgia! This affords much better access to the water and better lounging. Due to this, sterndrive motors require regular maintenance. The view aft is free of obstruction so a driver can easily see anyone towed behind the boat during watersports activities. 2-Stroke Outboards: Average $150-$300 per engine in parts. Compared to older two stroke outboards the four stroke is lighter in weight, which improves fuel economy. What is more, tilting the outboard when not in use allows water to drain out. What about safety? While it is true that any engine dealer outboard or sterndrive can do the required maintenance on the engine, they cannot complete any warranty service on the boat. Now, things have changed. October 30, 2017. Something really cool is coming! We are looking at a boat with a 2002 Mercruiser 4.3 and Alpha 1 leg. The tilt is made possible due to a component known as a universal joint. All it takes is removing the cowling for repairs and maintenance. Outboards don’t have distributor caps and rotors so parts costs are usually about $100 less for an annual service. Many people considering the purchase of a new boat often ask about the differences between outboard and stern drive (or inboard/outboard) propulsion. Let us help you and your family navigate the many choices available for your next family boat. Outboards, on the other hand, last about 750 hours on average. Because the engine portion is typically underneath a sun pad on the stern of the boat, stern drives have much better space utilization in the aft. Manufacturers of outboard motors and MerCruiser inboard engines, ... We build Mercury MerCruiser® Sterndrive engines and drives to power your life on the water. Outboard Versus Sterndrive. Outboards are the primary choice for fishing boats and certainly are the most popular choice for boats in the Lowcountry. As your premier source for all things boating and off-roading, we are happy to help answer all your questions in our Learning Center blog. How To. Oils … The actual engine rests directly in front of the transom, and the drive unit is outside the hull. There is little difference from the console forward to the bow in either power option. How Long Do Each Last? For budget conscious buyers, you will spend less money up-front with outboard power. At some point, you’re going to think I am pro outboards for bowriders, because a bowrider with an outboard is going to be more cost effective when it comes to fuel consumption and maintenance. Our sales consultants can answer your questions and guide you to the best boat for your needs. Outboard, no stern drive, no wait, it all depends…. That is a must when boating in fall/winter to avoid water freezing inside the motor. Re: outboard vs. sterndrive or i/o outboards have far less maintainance, and are more owner friendly when you need to do maintainance. A sterndrive, is an inboard/outboard motor that has an outboard lower unit which connects up through the transom of the boat to an inboard diesel or gas engine. The reality is there are differences in the power options, and those are reasons why TAHOE gives you options. Wide sunpads over the engine compartment and swim platforms extending across the transom are obvious. Here is something you might not have thought about—trimming the engine. They are powered by an automotive engine connected to a drive unit that is both the transmission and the propulsion. By Jeff Hemmel. Sterndrive engines are a combination of inboard and outboard engines. Typically, the initial purchase price of outboard power is greater than stern drives. Alternatively, outboard engines are outside the boat, making them easier to reach for repairs and giving you the ability to conduct most …