The Right Engine (Outboard motors) for Your Boat
The traditional inboard propulsion system is commonly found in flat bottom ski boats intended to produce as little wake as possible as well as in very large cabin cruisers. In an Inboard configuration, the engine is mounted to the hull 6 to 8 feet forward of the transom and outboard motors ahead of the transmission and outboard motors the propeller shaft runs through the hull at an angle and outboard motors the propeller is located under the hull near the transom of the boat. Since the propeller is fixed, the steering is controlled by a rudder which is normally mounted just aft of the propeller. Inboard boats with single engines lack steering control when proceeding in reverse. When 2 engines are mounted side by side, this twin screw configuration provides maximum maneuverability as well as the safety factor of having a second engine in case of the failure of one engine. This is particularly important in oceangoing boats.
Outboard From as little a 3 Horsepower up to 300 Horsepower, outboard engines are mounted onto the transom of a boat. Since the whole engine and outboard motors drive train is a single unit which turns by the steering, they provide very good maneuverability. Outboard engines come in 2 stroke, which must burn oil mixed in with the fuel, 4 stroke, which burn gasoline buy itself and outboard motors a variation of the two called Direct Fuel Injection (DFI) which is a hybrid. 2 Stroke engines normally desirable in very high speed applications, like bass boats and outboard motors 4 stroke engines are used most often in applications where power and outboard motors quiet are more important, such as cruising.
Water Jet Several manufacturers are producing water jet engines which utilize and outboard motors inboard mounted engine (normally a 2 stroke engine to obtain high RPM s) with a high speed water pump that pushed a jet of water out of the transom through a jet nozzle to propel the boat forward. Water Jet engines are not particularly efficient, although they can be very fast and outboard motors responsive. Jet powered boats are typically difficult to maneuver at low speeds around docks and outboard motors traffic since they actually have no neutral gear. They are either in forward or in reverse and outboard motors the only way to enjoy a true neutral position is to turn the motor off.
All power boats except the Water Jet type, employ a propeller to cause the boat to move in the desired direction. All propellers are rated by their pitch and outboard motors diameter. The performance of a boat can vary widely by differences in the pitch of the propeller. Generally speaking, a higher number pitch will have more bite in the water and outboard motors provide more rapid acceleration from a standstill but will not go as fast at Wide Open Throttle (WOT). You should consult a marine dealer to determine the propeller best suited for your desired performance.
Please be certain that, whatever boat you choose, that you make certain that you have adequate power to propel your boat, with a full load, as you expect it to. To be certain, you must test ride the boat in the water under varying speeds, loads and outboard motors conditions.
Get right engine and outboard motors drive combination and outboard motors you will be having many a great cruise!