It may or may not have a better ride depending on hull design. But it would
be slower since you have all that engine weight moved forward. Trying to
trim that much weight out to reduce water drag on the hull would be
impossible. Probably whey they stopped making it.

--
Tony
my boats and cars at http://t.thomas.home.mchsi.com

-
wrote in message
...
On 5/13/05, t.thomas wrote:
Unless the boat is big enough to have true inboard(s), an I/O is going to
be
in the way for fishing. This is why you see very few I/O fishing boats.

A few I/O boats have been built with the engine amidships. They use a
jack shaft running under the cockpit sole to the drive unit.
Wellcraft had that option in a few of its models at one time. For an
I/O, it seemed like a better arrangement to me. Like a straight
inboard, it would have a better ride plus more room at the transom.

Rick

There are advantages and disadvantages to both - the choice is usually a
personal decision.
The size/type of boat is a consideration as well: an inboard is not
practical in a 12' jon boat.
A reason contributing to my choice of sterndrive for a 19' bowrider was the
opinion of several owners I spoke to, who said they didn't know much about
such things and were just as happy to have the engine in a box, out of view.
Some point out that a sterndrive takes up interior space. That's not always
significant: the engine box is my runabout has drink holders in it and is a
good place to mount rod holders, small trays to hold sunblock lotion,
handheld radio, flashlight, etc. It also becomes part of a crosswise lounge
seat when at anchor or beached.
Sterndrives tend to be quieter and more fuel efficient.
Outboards are supposedly less expensive to work on because they are easier
for mechanics to access.
I've also added a second battery (with a combiner) and battery selection
switch to my boat, as I have added radar, direction finding, GPS, 2 fixed
mount VHF radios, additional lighting and 12 volt outlets. It was easy to do
with a sterndrive; I don't know how easy to would be with an outboard

"ed" wrote in message
...
This is probably a stupid question, but im still learning about boats and
have learn a lot from this group. How does one choose if they should get a
boat with a inboard or an outboard ? What are some of the things that a
person should consider when purchasing ? Is one better than the other ?

Thanks
Ed

wrote in message
...
On 5/13/05, t.thomas wrote:
Unless the boat is big enough to have true inboard(s), an I/O is going to
be
in the way for fishing. This is why you see very few I/O fishing boats.

A few I/O boats have been built with the engine amidships. They use a
jack shaft running under the cockpit sole to the drive unit.
Wellcraft had that option in a few of its models at one time. For an
I/O, it seemed like a better arrangement to me. Like a straight
inboard, it would have a better ride plus more room at the transom.

Rick

Albemarle and Carolina Classic both take that approach. Nice fishing boats!

--
Peter Aitken

Agreed on the top speed. But if that's a priority, I'd skip the I/O
altogether and go with an outboard. By "better ride", I mean a more
comfortable platform, easier motion, even when dead in the water. For
spending all day long in a moderate sea, I'd rather have my weight
concentrated low and in the middle. It makes a big difference in the
way you feel at the end of the day.

Rick.

On 5/14/05, t.thomas wrote:
It may or may not have a better ride depending on hull design. But it would
be slower since you have all that engine weight moved forward. Trying to
trim that much weight out to reduce water drag on the hull would be
impossible. Probably whey they stopped making it.

--
Tony
my boats and cars at http://t.thomas.home.mchsi.com

-
wrote in message
.. .
On 5/13/05, t.thomas wrote:
Unless the boat is big enough to have true inboard(s), an I/O is going to
be
in the way for fishing. This is why you see very few I/O fishing boats.

A few I/O boats have been built with the engine amidships. They use a
jack shaft running under the cockpit sole to the drive unit.
Wellcraft had that option in a few of its models at one time. For an
I/O, it seemed like a better arrangement to me. Like a straight
inboard, it would have a better ride plus more room at the transom.

Rick