| In the boating world, there are few things so | | | | |
| frustrating and disappointing that having a | | | | Outboard - From as little a 3 Horsepower up |
| boat with too little power. An underpowered | | | | to 300 Horsepower, outboard engines are |
| boat is very inefficient from a fuel usage | | | | mounted onto the transom of a boat. Since |
| perspective, it will tend to 'push through' | | | | the whole engine and drive train is a single |
| the water rather than planning off on top of | | | | unit which turns by the steering, they |
| it, and the boat simply will not perform as | | | | provide very good maneuverability. Outboard |
| it should. Before you buy any boat, you must | | | | engines come in 2 stroke, which must burn oil |
| ensure that the main propulsion of the boat | | | | mixed in with the fuel, 4 stroke, which burn |
| is adequate for you intended uses. | | | | gasoline buy itself and a variation of the |
| | | | two called Direct Fuel Injection (DFI) which |
| Marine Engines basically come in 4 types: | | | | is a hybrid. 2 Stroke engines normally |
| | | | desirable in very high speed applications, |
| Inboard/Outboard - They are called this since | | | | like bass boats and 4 stroke engines are used |
| the engine, much like an automobile engine, | | | | most often in applications where power and |
| is mounted inside the hull of the boat below | | | | quiet are more important, such as cruising. |
| decks and the drive unit is mounted on the | | | | |
| stern of the boat with a drive shaft encased | | | | Water Jet - Several manufacturers are |
| in a boot which goes through the stern of the | | | | producing water jet engines which utilize and |
| hull. Such engines are standard on most | | | | inboard mounted engine (normally a 2 stroke |
| runabouts, deck boats, and small cabin | | | | engine to obtain high RPM's) with a high |
| cruisers. The engine can range from a small | | | | speed water pump that pushed a jet of water |
| 4 cylinder, 100 Horsepower all the way up to | | | | out of the transom through a jet nozzle to |
| an 8 cylinder, 400 Horsepower, with several | | | | propel the boat forward. Water Jet engines |
| others in between. The outdrives are either | | | | are not particularly efficient, although they |
| single propeller or dual, counter-rotating | | | | can be very fast and responsive. Jet powered |
| propeller types and are mounted onto the | | | | boats are typically difficult to maneuver at |
| transom of the boat. The dual prop tends to | | | | low speeds around docks and traffic since |
| provide more 'traction' and power, | | | | they actually have no neutral gear. They are |
| particularly in accelerating from a stop. | | | | either in forward or in reverse and the only |
| The outdrives can be tilted up or down to | | | | way to enjoy a true 'neutral position' is to |
| compensate for differing boat load conditions | | | | turn the motor off. |
| and, since the whole outdrive turns from side | | | | |
| to side, steering an maneuverability in | | | | All power boats except the Water Jet type, |
| greatly enhanced. | | | | employ a propeller to cause the boat to move |
| | | | in the desired direction. All propellers are |
| Inboard - The traditional inboard propulsion | | | | rated by their pitch and diameter. The |
| system is commonly found in flat bottom ski | | | | performance of a boat can vary widely by |
| boats intended to produce as little wake as | | | | differences in the pitch of the propeller. |
| possible as well as in very large cabin | | | | Generally speaking, a higher number pitch |
| cruisers. In an Inboard configuration, the | | | | will have more 'bite' in the water and |
| engine is mounted to the hull 6 to 8 feet | | | | provide more rapid acceleration from a |
| forward of the transom and ahead of the | | | | standstill but will not go as fast at "Wide |
| transmission and the propeller shaft runs | | | | Open Throttle' (WOT). You should consult a |
| through the hull at an angle and the | | | | marine dealer to determine the propeller best |
| propeller is located under the hull near the | | | | suited for your desired performance. |
| transom of the boat. Since the propeller is | | | | |
| fixed, the steering is controlled by a rudder | | | | Please be certain that, whatever boat you |
| which is normally mounted just aft of the | | | | choose, that you make certain that you have |
| propeller. Inboard boats with single engines | | | | adequate power to propel your boat, with a |
| lack steering control when proceeding in | | | | full load, as you expect it to. To be |
| reverse. When 2 engines are mounted side by | | | | certain, you must test ride the boat in the |
| side, this 'twin screw' configuration | | | | water under varying speeds, loads and |
| provides maximum maneuverability as well as | | | | conditions. |
| the safety factor of having a second engine | | | | |
| in case of the failure of one engine. This | | | | Get right engine and drive combination and |
| is particularly important in oceangoing | | | | you will be having many a great cruise! |
| boats. | | | | |