Inboard or Outboard

[TSCTSC]

Wat are the considerations when deciding to get a boat with an inboard or outboard motor? Are Inboards more reliable than outboards or not? What are the reasons some people choose inboards? Thanks.

[Rost]

I don't have much experience with inboard motors. However, I have made a few observations on them.

First, I do know that the engine compartment does take up quite a bit of fishing space. Witch may or may not bother you. I also know that they can be touchy early in the year and late in the season. You must winterize early and wait until there's no chance for a freeze before taking them out in the spring.

Outboard motors can easily be worked on and can be used all the way to ice up.

[berke99]

I have an inboard 3.0 which I really like. The only down thing is early and late fishing. The engine and lower unit need to be drained and winterized if it is going to be below freezing when you're done fishing for the day. IT isn't very hard to do, but just a pain.

[TSCTSC]

So in other words, with an inboard, I must winterize for the season even if I am going to be using it throughout winter. Whereas with the outboard, if I am going to continue using it at least once a month, it is alright not to winterize, provided you tilt the motor down to drain it?

[Surface Tension]

Your not going to find an inboard in many fishing boats.

Pleasure and Ski boats yes but not in a fishing boat for the reason its going to be in the way. Of coarse a lot of great lakes boats are inboards but that type of fishing is different.

To your last question, yes your going to have to drain the engines block in cold weather because it doesn't drain out like a outboard.

[End of the Line]

I/O's are different than a inboard. I think that needs to be determined which one your actually talking about. Either and I/O or inboard though needs to be winterized when a chance of cracking the block is possible.