I was recently in Florida on the Gulf side and I was amazed at the number of Outboards on Deck boats and fishing boats from 20' to 35'. I am curious if there is an advantage to an outboard in salt water?
Stern Drive vrs Outboard in Salt water
- Thread starter Blueone
- Start date
jhild
New Member
- Nov 2, 2006
- 350
- Boat Info
- 1999 BW 18 Ventura /
Sold: 2003 176BR
- Engines
- Current: 135 OptiMax /
Sold: 3.0L Alpha
There are several advantages, the greatest being the ability to tilt your drive completely out of the water. Sterndrives and saltwater don’t play nicely together.
You can go back and forth on this - and did you mean outdrive or outboard? The difference between having an outboard vs an outdrive vs a sterndrive are significant.
Outdrives are great because even with the best preparation and maintenance, saltwater being as corrosive as it is, you will eventually have to swap out a motor. Doing this with an outboard is a no brainier, where as an inboard/stern drive setup can be very complicated.
From what I understand, in a salty environment with a larger boat, a great option is a stern drive package - outdrives are notorious for leaking, and with all those sensitive moving parts under the waterline, I was advised to go with a simple stern drive setup where the only moving parts are a prop shaft, props, rudders and tabs.
All of the other sensetive equipment (tranny, gearing, etc) is in the usually dry engine compartment beneath the cockpit.
Cheers,
Tim
Outdrives are great because even with the best preparation and maintenance, saltwater being as corrosive as it is, you will eventually have to swap out a motor. Doing this with an outboard is a no brainier, where as an inboard/stern drive setup can be very complicated.
From what I understand, in a salty environment with a larger boat, a great option is a stern drive package - outdrives are notorious for leaking, and with all those sensitive moving parts under the waterline, I was advised to go with a simple stern drive setup where the only moving parts are a prop shaft, props, rudders and tabs.
All of the other sensetive equipment (tranny, gearing, etc) is in the usually dry engine compartment beneath the cockpit.
Cheers,
Tim
jhild
New Member
- Nov 2, 2006
- 350
- Boat Info
- 1999 BW 18 Ventura /
Sold: 2003 176BR
- Engines
- Current: 135 OptiMax /
Sold: 3.0L Alpha
Tim – I think you’ve confused things a bit. An outboard is an outboard. I/O, Sterndrive, and Outdrive are synonymous. An inboard or V-drive just has the props, etc. outside the hull.
tobnpr
New Member
Outboards on smaller fishing vessels and deck boats the size you mention are more popular than sterndrives because of an uncluttered cockpit and less maintenance and corrosion issues.
Repowering is also easier with outboards- just unbolt them, and bolt on the new one(s).
Other manufacturers (SR has not yet discovered this) are now building larger (35'-40'+) cruising boats with trips and quad outboards as the horsepower and reliability the large 4-strokes has grown. I'd like to see SR build a cruiser that size with trip 300's...
Repowering is also easier with outboards- just unbolt them, and bolt on the new one(s).
Other manufacturers (SR has not yet discovered this) are now building larger (35'-40'+) cruising boats with trips and quad outboards as the horsepower and reliability the large 4-strokes has grown. I'd like to see SR build a cruiser that size with trip 300's...
What:huh: Who told you a stern drive only has prop,shaft,rudders in the water? All trim tabs would be in the water no mater what type of system you have. Better hope Gary does not see this:grin:
LOL, shame on me...
Maritime Matt
New Member
Each one has its own characteristics. Outboards are great [ I work on them for a living ]. Very dependable for the most part, great for shallow water, or if you like to run agound alot, able to be tilted out of the salt and rinsed off [newer ones can be flushed inside as well], easy to work on, meaning your not scrunched up like a contortionist in a bilge, and generally live a long life if maintained. but when it comes time to re-power, watch out. Better have some serious cash for that New Outboard, controls,rigging etc.
Inboards- Not for shallow water. Much less moving parts than a stern drive. Cheaper to re-power. Lower center of gravity makes for a better ride. Motor can be fresh water cooled. Flush kits can be installed.
I/O's-Stern Drives- Better for shallow water than an inboard.
Lot's of moving parts- Outdrive and motor. Cheaper to re-power. Lower center of gravity. Can be fresh water cooled and have flush kits installed. Aftermarket and used parts abound everywhere especially for the small block Chevy/Alpha packages.
I'm sure I might have missed a few things so add to the list.
Inboards- Not for shallow water. Much less moving parts than a stern drive. Cheaper to re-power. Lower center of gravity makes for a better ride. Motor can be fresh water cooled. Flush kits can be installed.
I/O's-Stern Drives- Better for shallow water than an inboard.
Lot's of moving parts- Outdrive and motor. Cheaper to re-power. Lower center of gravity. Can be fresh water cooled and have flush kits installed. Aftermarket and used parts abound everywhere especially for the small block Chevy/Alpha packages.
I'm sure I might have missed a few things so add to the list.
summertime
New Member
I have a 280 2005 sundancer,with two 4.3 Alpha drives. Does anyone know of a flush kit that will work on this set up.