There is much debate over whether an outboard motor or an inboard motor is better.  And the answer really depends on your own situation and how you use your boat.  However, in certain instances there can be significant advantages of going with Yamaha Outboards versus inboard motors.

The Advantages Of A Yamaha Outboard Motor Versus An Inboard Motor

Concept, Space And Design

Inboard motors were originally designed for cars, then later adapted for use in boats.  Therefore, water and other watercraft issues such as size and motor placement have to be addressed and dealt with in order for an inboard motor to function correctly.  Whereas an outboard motor is specifically designed for boating and being in the water. The difference with this design intent is that its factory housing protects the electronics and mechanical parts from potential water damage. This makes an outboard motor extremely reliable and more efficient in many instances.  Another added benefit is that it doesn’t take up much space.

Weight

An outboard motor weighs much less than all other types of motors used in marine applications.  Inboard motors can be quite large in comparable applications therefore taking up much more space.  In general, the more weight you have on your boat, the slower you will go and the more fuel it will use.

Handling And Speed

Most mid to large sized outboard motors now utilize a hydraulic steering stabilizer. Therefore steering an outboard motor is now much easier as compared to years past. Regarding handling and ease of steering in reverse gear there’s really no comparison to an outboard. You just turn the motor in the direction you want to go.  This is especially helpful when you are steering in reverse because with inboard powered boats you have to rely on the rudder of the boat to provide the direction. This is especially challenging in reverse since the rudder is located behind the propeller and therefore offers minimal directional control.

Another thing you will notice is that an outboard motor is much easier to maneuver at low speeds as it can be turned either with or without power steering and will still go in the direction you are steering. You will truly appreciate an outboard motor when it comes to docking because inboard motors only perform well with some amount of speed which makes docking a bit difficult.

Acceleration And Fuel Efficiency

An outboard motor is designed with the propeller further back versus an inboard motor.  Therefore, the propeller is outside the turbulence/wake from the boats hull.  This means an outboard motors typically allow for more efficient propeller functionality and therefore better overall acceleration and fuel economy.

Maintenance

Overall Motor maintenance is much easier with an outboard motor because the entire motor is placed outside of the boat and can therefore be serviced in place without requiring it to be removed from the boat.  Most inboard motors are more difficult to access, and therefore more difficult to service. Additionally, the outboard motor can be lifted and kept out of the water when you’re not using it.  This is extremely important in the case of preventing corrosion. The propeller and other parts are not being continually immersed in the water, which increases the chance of damage due to corrosion or other related issues.

If you need other boating products and accessories, please feel free to contact us.  PPT, Performance Product Technologies, can assist you with all types of boat parts and accessories.  PPT also has a technical library and loads of videos to help you with any specific technical needs you might have.

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