V drives or out drives

Salt Water Use: V-drives
Docking Handling: V-drives
Fuel Economy: Out Drives

there are many more 33 DA with V-drives than out drives. You may have trouble finding one with out drives. I like the simplicity feel of inboards, especially for 30' and up boats...
 
As in most things in life, there is no "better". Each drive system has advantages and disadvantages. As Rod said, the V-drives are far superior in terms of salt water corrosion resistance and low speed handling. They also tend to be quieter and smoother at cruise speed. And, the maintenance costs are much lower.

The sterndrives offer superior fuel economy, and also a tighter turning radius at speed. If you do a lot of shallow water boating, they also offer the ability to tilt up, reducing draft. But, you'll pay for these advantages in other ways - such as increased maintenance and yearly service costs.

One more aspect that I find very important is weight balance. Sterndive boats have the engines mounted right at the transom, with the drives themselves outside the boat. Inboard boats have the engines and transmissions much farther forward, and this helps center the weight within the boat. By moving the center of gravity, and more importantly, the longitudinal center of rotation, forward, the propensity to "porpoise" is reduced, so you get a more comfortable ride when the weather turns nasty.

So, there you have it - a long winded answer that doesn't answer the question. Neither is better, and both are better. It depends on what you designate as most important.

Dale
 
One final aspect, much more room in the bilge with I/O.
 
As in most things in life, there is no "better". Each drive system has advantages and disadvantages. As Rod said, the V-drives are far superior in terms of salt water corrosion resistance and low speed handling. They also tend to be quieter and smoother at cruise speed. And, the maintenance costs are much lower.

The sterndrives offer superior fuel economy, and also a tighter turning radius at speed. If you do a lot of shallow water boating, they also offer the ability to tilt up, reducing draft. But, you'll pay for these advantages in other ways - such as increased maintenance and yearly service costs.

One more aspect that I find very important is weight balance. Sterndive boats have the engines mounted right at the transom, with the drives themselves outside the boat. Inboard boats have the engines and transmissions much farther forward, and this helps center the weight within the boat. By moving the center of gravity, and more importantly, the longitudinal center of rotation, forward, the propensity to "porpoise" is reduced, so you get a more comfortable ride when the weather turns nasty.

So, there you have it - a long winded answer that doesn't answer the question. Neither is better, and both are better. It depends on what you designate as most important.

Dale

The only thing I'll disagree with here is the turning radius. I use the trim tabs (like bow down on port side only when turning right) and mine turns as quick as any I/O.



One final aspect, much more room in the bilge with I/O.

Definitely agree here... my bilge has NO ROOM! :smt089
 
One final aspect, much more room in the bilge with I/O.
That's not saying Much!!! Your talking about more room forward of the engines. I'm 6'2" and 235lbs, with the Gene in there I feel like 15lbs of Sh!t in a 5lb bag when I go in the Engine Compartment!!
 
As in most things in life, there is no "better". Each drive system has advantages and disadvantages. As Rod said, the V-drives are far superior in terms of salt water corrosion resistance and low speed handling. They also tend to be quieter and smoother at cruise speed. And, the maintenance costs are much lower.

The sterndrives offer superior fuel economy, and also a tighter turning radius at speed. If you do a lot of shallow water boating, they also offer the ability to tilt up, reducing draft. But, you'll pay for these advantages in other ways - such as increased maintenance and yearly service costs.

One more aspect that I find very important is weight balance. Sterndive boats have the engines mounted right at the transom, with the drives themselves outside the boat. Inboard boats have the engines and transmissions much farther forward, and this helps center the weight within the boat. By moving the center of gravity, and more importantly, the longitudinal center of rotation, forward, the propensity to "porpoise" is reduced, so you get a more comfortable ride when the weather turns nasty.

So, there you have it - a long winded answer that doesn't answer the question. Neither is better, and both are better. It depends on what you designate as most important.

Dale

What is the fuel economy penalty with the V drives compared to the outdrives?
 
That's not saying Much!!! Your talking about more room forward of the engines. I'm 6'2" and 235lbs, with the Gene in there I feel like 15lbs of Sh!t in a 5lb bag when I go in the Engine Compartment!!

I guess you haven't seen a V drive lately? You would feel like 15# in a 1Lb bag but I know what you mean. I'm afraid designing for easy service was not the designer's goal!
 
That's why I moved so many things around when I did my restoration - I just couldn't stand not being able to get to everything, or even get down into the engine room. It's a foul conspiracy by boat builders, to tempt us to larger and larger boats....

Fuel economy in reduced by roughly 15 - 30% , depending on what boat and which engine and drive packages are compared. It's alot, but then again, it's already a boat, so it guzzles either way. But it's worth it.

Dale
 

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