Inboard or outboard

[John Stevens]

I've owned smaller sailboats, 23 is the largest, all with outboards. I'm looking for a 25 and have seen some with inboard diesels.

I'm looking for some opinions on an inboard vs outboard on a small boat like the 25.

Thanks,

John

 

[ebsail]

Up to 27 ft, I prefer an outboard if its a long or extra long shaft. That is 20-25 inch shaft. The outboard is cheaper, easier to maintain, can be brougt to the shop and replaced brand new for less than half the cost of an inboard. You can tilt it up to reduce drag. And it's one less thing to accumulate barnacles, since it stays out of the water between uses. In a very short choppy bad sea, it's possible for the pitching of the boat to lift the prop of an outboard out of the water. That's why an extra long shaft is best. I've owned 8 boats, from 16 to 43 feet, and the ones that gave me the least engine problems were the 5 with outboards (up to 27 ft.). Three were diesel. I just purchased an O'day 25 and it is long shaft outboard powered. to

I've owned smaller sailboats, 23 is the largest, all with outboards. I'm looking for a 25 and have seen some with inboard diesels.

I'm looking for some opinions on an inboard vs outboard on a small boat like the 25.

Thanks,

John

 

[Winters Dream]

My O'Day 25 had a long shaft outboard. Tilting it up and down, starting it (no electric start or generator) and pitching out of the water in waves was a real pain. My O'Day 28 one cylinder Yanmar diesel starts and runs great with no pitching. I did have to spend about $2,000 over the last 25 years for marina repairs, half of which were marina errors. An outboard probably wouldn't run that long.I would recommend trying to find out how much a diesel weighs compared to an outboard. A heavy engine may effect the boat.Bob Lendvay

 

[SailingCal21]

I've owned smaller sailboats, 23 is the largest, all with outboards. I'm looking for a 25 and have seen some with inboard diesels.

I'm looking for some opinions on an inboard vs outboard on a small boat like the 25.

Thanks,

John

Having had both, I'd suggest an inboard diesel over an outboard. While the outboard does have some advantages a diesel is more convenient to use and has the advantages of fuel economy and battery charging options that an outboard does not have. No matter how long your shaft, the prop will come out of the water when you'd rather not have that to worry about.