Note that the outboard boat went 10 MPH faster at wide-open throttle, but matched at an equal speed, the stern drive proved more efficient. The outboard powered boat got only 3.1 MPG.
At a 35 MPH cruise, the stern drive boat got 3.4 miles per gallon (MPG). Take for example the Sea Ray 240 Sundeck, which we tested with both a Mercury 350 MAG stern drive (inboard) and a 300 HP Verado outboard. In some classes of boats, they aren’t quite as efficient as inboards with stern-drive propulsion systems. Naturally, there are some downsides associated with outboard engines.
Today, virtually every gasoline outboard on the market is a four-stroke and not only offers excellent reliability, but also has vastly improved efficiency and is far more pleasurable to run than older outboards were. However, due to economic forces BRP discontinued Evinrude engine production and the last two-strokes built in North America rolled off the production lines in 2020. And yes, two-strokes designed in recent years really were far more efficient, reliable, and environmentally friendly than old-tech two-strokes (read DFI Direct Fuel Injection Two Stroke Outboards, to see how modern low-emissions two-strokes work). Stricter EPA rules and regulations forced outboard manufacturers to either shift to four-strokes or redesign cleaner, more efficient two-strokes decades ago. What about the poor reliability, awful pollution controls, and high noise and vibration levels that older salts may associate with outboard engines? It’s ancient history. And in some cases inboard boats also have an outboard “kicker” motor that is used for extended slow-speed operation (such as trolling for fish) and/or get-home power in case the main power plant breaks down. Outboards are also used by sailors, as auxiliary power. Between all those different choices, it’s possible to power everything from a canoe to a 60’ center console with outboard engines. A huge range of sizes is available, from small electric models which produce a fraction of a horsepower and are powered by a 12-volt battery, all the way up to the largest currently offered, a semi-custom Seven Marine 627 HP outboard.
#V DRIVE VS INBOARD OUTBOARD PORTABLE#
They generally have an excellent power-to-weight ratio they’re essentially portable (especially smaller models) and can be easily replaced they can be tilted to remove the drive system from the water handling is excellent since the entire system articulates as one outboards don’t take up room on the inside of the boat many are designed from the ground up for marine use (as opposed to being automotive engines that are marinized) their cooling systems self-drain for easy winter storage and in many cases they’re less expensive than other options. Outboard engines boast a long list of advantages. A lower unit with a propeller also incorporates a skeg, which offers it some protection from striking hard objects. Most of the time the lower unit swings a propeller for propulsion, but in some cases the lower unit houses a jet drive. A motor mount just below the powerhead bolts or clamps onto the transom of the boat, and the midsection of the outboard, which encloses the drive shaft and exhaust housing, has a lower unit bolted onto the bottom. The powerhead (or motor, in the case of an electric outboard) is protected by a removable cowl. Outboard Engines An outboard engine sits on the transom of a boat and has its own self-contained drive system. So let’s start off by dividing engines and power systems into their most basic forms: outboards and inboards. On the other hand, a “jet engine” comes in both outboard and inboard varieties. The term “outboard engine,” for example, commonly describes both the powerhead and the lower-unit drive system that's attached to it. There’s just one problem: many power and drive systems are integrated. So logically, you want to distinguish between the two.
Strictly speaking, the engine is what creates power and the drive system is what transfers that power into thrust. Which is best for the type of boating you enjoy? Is newer technology necessarily better? And which engine and drive systems are evolving the fastest? Let’s take an in-depth look at motorboat engines and power systems. But sorting through all the different options can be quite difficult. Boat engines take many shapes, sizes, and forms, ranging from the common outboard to rarely seen surface drive systems - which is why you’ll find plenty of current information on the latest and the greatest in our powerboat Engines and Parts Reviews. Here we demystify them and explain the basics behind what powers your boat to help you better understand all the types of motorboat engines out there on the water. Marine engines and power systems can be quite complex and varied.
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