There are some already discussed prior emails on pros and cons.
I do most of my cruising out in the english channel (which is niether nor), but take the outboard out of the braket (if on sails longer than 25nm or if is going to be rough since it helps balance the boat, giving about .3 knts of extra speed).
I am in two minds if I would do it again,I worked out that I would need to use the engine about 6K Nm to be able to justify an inboard in price (due to fuel consumption) which at my planned rate of engine usage is about 10 years worth of sailing (currently it is at about 25 years).
However the engine I got can be fixed and maintained by anyone (ie a non mechanical oriented person like me
) and the spare parts can be found anywhere in the world (my main consideration).
What I would do different is get the most expensive, best set up, engine mounting I can find since the cheepo one I got broke off (at some welded axis) when sailing upwind on a F6-F7 with 60 nm of fetch (about 3-4 meter very steep waves) or just strengthen the braket by removing welding and replacing it with decent size screws which can be checked on a regular basis.
I do think that is mostly down to how much time you got and the area you will be sailing in.
If you dont have an issue with taking a wille in arriving at your destination then even a sculling oar should do! but if you got to get there by Sunday, the an inboard is the way to go.
Similarly if you are planning to stay in relativelly developed areas (ie eastern caribbean) an inboard should not keep you too long in harbour should it deside that it needs a new fuel pump, whilst if you are in a place like guyana good luck getting a pump in less than 4 weeks.
Any way my 2p
