When you’re in the market for a boat, the amount of options can seem overwhelming. One choice you’ll have to make when it comes to smaller boats is whether you want a stern drive motor or an outboard motor. Stern drives, also called inboard/outboard drives because they combine elements of the two motor styles, have their engine inside the boat ahead of the transom. Outboard motors, on the other hand, are anchored to the transom and protrude from the back of the boat. Each style has certain advantages over the other, so you’ll want to take these into consideration when making your decision. At RVs and Boats For Less, located in Pocatello, Idaho, we know a thing or two about motors, so we’ve broken them down for you to help you see the pros and cons before you make your choice.
Performance
While each model operates differently and it’s difficult to say whether a given stern drive will outperform a given outboard motor, there are enough key differences between the two styles that allow for comparison. Firstly, stern drives are the heavier style, sometimes very significantly so. This does offer them more power overall so you can get up to high speeds more quickly with a stern drive. The stern drive’s weight allows it to rest lower in the water, too, which can be beneficial for stability. An outboard is much lighter weight, so drafting over shallow water is often easier with this motor style. They also have much tighter maneuverability so you can navigate through narrow patches at low speeds with precision on an outboard.
Expense
Before certain environmental regulations made an impact on the sterndrive engineering process, they were the less expensive option. Outboards are now a little less costly, although it all depends on the model you choose — an outboard with all the bells and whistles may cost more than a very basic stern drive. Stern drives have slightly better fuel economy at cruising speeds, which can make them less costly in terms of gas. Outboards require less maintenance overall which saves you money at the repair shop. Sterndrives have more of their parts exposed to water’s corrosive effects, so these parts need more frequent servicing and are more difficult to access due to being below deck. When you want to do repairs yourself, the outboard motor is much easier to access and can be completely removed from the boat.
Pros and Cons
A stern drive motor, packed away as it is within your boat, allows for more space on your deck. You’ll also be able to access the aft of your boat with a stern drive, and you won’t have to make any cutouts to the transom like you would to install an outboard. This can improve aesthetics and also make it possible to fish over all sides of your boat. Outboards can be more abrasive looking while being something of a danger to kids who might want to touch the hot engine. If you’re after a quiet ride, an outboard is surprisingly the best choice, because they operate very smoothly even though they’re above the water.
If you’re still unsure which style of motor is right for you, come down to our Pocatello dealership. Our knowledgeable staff can answer any questions you might have. Then, when you’re ready to choose, we can show you our great selection of sterndrives and outboards in stock. RVs and Boats For Less is located in Pocatello, near Idaho Falls and Twin Falls, Idaho. We also proudly serve our customers coming from Lake City and Logan, Utah.
