Outboard gas vs inboard diesel - A comprehensive approach

[Bad Obsession]

I have had both outboard powered sailboats and my boat now has the inboard diesel. The outboard power works okay until you get into bigger boats.

After having my inboard diesel, I wouldn't want to go back. Diesels run forever if they get proper maintenance, they charge batteries and heat the water heater, and they stay in the water when the boat is pitching due to waves. I will also say that if you have someone helping you out when you first start the diesel isn't that bad to do minimal work on.

Some boats run the risk of dunking the outboard in a large following sea.

Outboards work great for smaller coastal cruisers, but when you get a larger boat and you start going off shore, even a small distance, it isn't as good as the diesel.

btw....having an inboard diesel also keeps the resale value up much more than the outboard.

 

[NC-C320]

In this case, choose outboard over inboard

While I think the inboard on medium to large boats is always preferred, there is one case where one should select the outboard. If you are repowering a boat, you have to give some thought to the value of the boat. Assuming that the boat is a boat of modest value, say, $5-15K, it makes no sense to spend $7-10K for a new inboard, especially if you are staying close to shore and close to homeport. Spending $10K for a new motor on a $15K boat is going to leave you with a boat that's worth maybe $17-$20K. The outboard is going to cost less and the chances are that you'll get a significant part of this back if you sell in a few years. If you know you're going to keep the boat forever, you can spend more, but take care.

As people refurbish older boats, they need to watch what they will have to spend (and it's always more than people think). You can sink a lot of money into a older boat and not improve its value very much.

 

[Ross]

While I think the inboard on medium to large boats is always preferred, there is one case where one should select the outboard. If you are repowering a boat, you have to give some thought to the value of the boat. Assuming that the boat is a boat of modest value, say, $5-15K, it makes no sense to spend $7-10K for a new inboard, especially if you are staying close to shore and close to homeport. Spending $10K for a new motor on a $15K boat is going to leave you with a boat that's worth maybe $17-$20K. The outboard is going to cost less and the chances are that you'll get a significant part of this back if you sell in a few years. If you know you're going to keep the boat forever, you can spend more, but take care.

As people refurbish older boats, they need to watch what they will have to spend (and it's always more than people think). You can sink a lot of money into a older boat and not improve its value very much.

I will give voice to a counter argument. Eight years ago I had the engine for my '87 volvo wagon rebuilt for about 6000 dollars. I ask you where could I get a perfectly sound car with a brand new engine for 6000 dollars? I rebuilt a 1968 Islander 30, complete refit and remodel with new electrics, plumbing, galley and storage and engine for about 35,000 dollars. Again I ask, where could I get a boat with an all new interior and a new engine for 35K ?
Next question is, Have you ever seen a 13x13 three blade prop on a ten horse outboard?

 

[NC-C320]

I will give voice to a counter argument. Eight years ago I had the engine for my '87 volvo wagon rebuilt for about 6000 dollars. I ask you where could I get a perfectly sound car with a brand new engine for 6000 dollars? I rebuilt a 1968 Islander 30, complete refit and remodel with new electrics, plumbing, galley and storage and engine for about 35,000 dollars. Again I ask, where could I get a boat with an all new interior and a new engine for 35K ?
Next question is, Have you ever seen a 13x13 three blade prop on a ten horse outboard?

As I said, I prefer the inboard, and if one selects the outboard, it's going to be cheaper but marginal in my opinion, and it's not going to handle that 13 x 13 prop I don't think. However, one has to take care on how one spends money. Sinking a lot of money into a project may or not be the best use of the money....that's all I was trying to pointout. Rebuilding an inboard engine is probably a good solution vs. getting a brand new one and what you are willing to spend will depend on what you plan to do with the boat (your example of a 87 Volvo rebuilding at $6K may make the engine better and good for many more miles, but you still have a 87 Volvo and it's value (resale) is not likely to increase much. On the other hand, you can go the same places as someone with a $30-40K car). Also, sometimes spending money is not the issue, as in completely restoring a classic car or boat. But my guess is that most people weighing the inboard vs outboard issue are really looking to keep the costs down, and some might be on tight budget, so it would be a shame to spend a lot of money without really increasing the value of their boat. I, and I'm sure you, have seen the same thing on new boats...especially small to midsize boats. The buyer puts every possible enhancement and device available on the boat, keeps it for a year or so, then tries to sell it with no takers because his cost/asking price in the used market is out of line for boats of that type.

 

[Ross]

The first question that a person should ask himself is, How long will I own this? In my case the answer is, for as long is I have a use for it. New and resale have no value for me because for as long as I can keep something viable I will continue to use it. When I am finished with a car I call the junk dealers. I understand that there is a population that buys and sells often but I am not part of it. My '87 volvo does the tranporting job today just exactly as well as it did when I purchased it in '93. My boat sails as nicely now as it did when I launched her in '99. I made the boat to be just as we wanted her so I have no reason to consider a change.

 

[Steve Dion]

I don't think a 26' sailing vessel is going to make much headway if they need to plow through 6' swells every 6-8 sec.

We have experience this in the Delta and S.F. bay. When the winds pipe up and the water gets rough you need to keep you prop under water. Even with a long shaft this is not going to cut it.

If you are sailing on inland protected waters, it is doable.

 

[Hermit Scott]

I like the way Ross thinks. I plan on being wealthy(that is to say I have a plan to be wealthy), but I don't want my mentality to change about things like Ross is talking about. I want to be the millionaire next door type, not the financed to the penny each month type, who's rich in appearance but not on the balance sheet.

Ross, do you think you are going to be able to take any extended trips this year? Or is that even something you are interested in?

Oh yeah, I had to add this. You know you've been on the SBO site too much when you dream you are in a sailboat college and maine sail is your professor! I woke up laughing.

 

[Ross]

Hermit , At this time Nancy and I are planning two weeks to the Wye River in May. I plan to splash early this year and get some day sails and over nighters in before that cruise.

You don't have to be wealthy to live like the wealthy. Remember what you don't spend you don't have to earn.
Yesterday I bought pork shoulder meat for 1.49 per pound. Ten dollars bought enough for ten meals for Nancy and me. Fifty cents per person for the meat on your plate is very hard to beat. Two trips to Burger King will take your ten bucks. Shop and spend wisely. It is money in the bank when you can do for yourself.

 

[Hermit Scott]

Is the Wye river about 70 miles from you? Is there something there, or are you going to be on the hook?

The one place I waste money is food. We hardly grocery shop anymore. There is this gourmet grocery store up the street where all the rich people live in Alamo Heights, they sell hot food and it's soooo good. Every meal costs us $12 to $20 for the both of us. They valet park. They let me bring my dog and they take care of him while we are in there. To me some things are worth it.

 

[Hermit Scott]

I guess this is what you call highjacking a thread. I was like "what was this thread about anyway"

 

[Ross]

Is the Wye river about 70 miles from you? Is there something there, or are you going to be on the hook?

quote]
The Wye River is as close to wilderness as you can get on the Chesapeake. Check out chart No. 12270 this link;

http://ocsdata.ncd.noaa.gov/BookletChart/

 

[sushirama]

I thought this was a Hunter owners forum not a MacGregor26 forum.

 

[JerryA]

Does anyone make a saildrive unit that turns? I've never had an inboard, or a boat big enough for one yet. But, I like the ability to turn my outboard when docking. Mine does pop out of the water sometimes when it's really rough out, and I usually sit on that side of the boat to help a little. I've wondered if a turnable saildrive unit would work well in a larger boat.

JerryA

 

[kloudie1]

Here is one .. it might be a bit big for most of us !!

 

[Maine Sail]

When we mount...

Here is one .. it might be a bit big for most of us !!

So should we use backing plates on the outboard mount or reinforce the transom in any way? do you think I'll need the "high thrust" outboard or will the regular one do?? I am going to guess I'll need at least the long shaft...

 

[kloudie1]

I dunno, Main ! It goes through a pretty bodacious thru hull.. Best not mis-match the threads on that thing.. That installation is diesel electric with the electric motors in the azipods .. So we can kick that horse (or kilowatt) some more !!