Inboard boat engines have advantages for water skiing and cruising, but can cause more drag and have limited ability to reach shallower waters. They may last longer and cost more than outboard motors.
An inboard engine is one with only a small portion of the drive shaft, along with the propeller, submerged in water. Typically, in such cases, the main portion of the inboard boat engine is located inside the boat, usually near the center, especially on smaller craft. Onboard boat motors have some advantages and disadvantages when it comes to navigating the water.
In most cases, inboard engines are preferred for water skiing and perhaps general cruising. They generally take less time to get to a plane and don’t cause the bow to rise as much as an outboard when they get to that plane. This is also ideal for boaters who worry about those few seconds when they may not be able to directly see what’s in front of them. The inboard motor makes this possible because it doesn’t waste as much energy raising the front of the boat.
Also, the inboard motor is popular with skiers because it keeps more of the boat in contact with the water. This can make waking up easier and a smoother ski experience. Still, some skiers may prefer the challenge that comes with larger wakes and prefer them for activities like kite jumping.
However, something also gives up with an in-house motor. The fact that it is so much in contact with the water, at least compared to outboard motors, means that boats experience substantially more drag. This can slow down the boat compared to outboard motors of similar power. Therefore, the internal motor may not be the best option when speed is an important consideration.
This is just one of the reasons tournament anglers, such as those going after bass or other species of game fish, prefer outboards. Also, the inboard powerboat has limited ability to tilt the driveshaft up to reach shallower water where fish are sometimes present. This is compared to outboard motors that can usually be lifted completely, or almost completely, out of the water to access such areas.
Some claim that internal motors tend to last longer than external motors. However, this can be explained as personal preference or a matter of luck. Two-stroke engines tend to wear out faster than four-stroke engines, and inboard engines are primarily four-stroke engines. However, modern outboards are also almost four-strokes, making this distinction no longer valid, at least for newer models. An inboard motor also tends to cost a bit more than a comparable outboard motor, which may give some the perception that the quality is slightly better.
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