Newbie - I/O versus Outboard

[sprocker]

I've just started researching into buying my first (owned) boat, and will be looking for something around the 20ft mark.

It will be used inshore coastal/estuary only, for coast hopping/fishing/leisure for Mrs Sprocker and myself. Mrs Sprocker demands a 'sproty' type and I am drawn to the
Bayliner 175GT style/size. Possibly look at something with a 2 berth cuddy for the odd overnighter.

We intend to berth the boat April to November, then haul out over the winter.

One of the things that I can't figure out is the 'I/O' versus 'Outboard' debate.

Would any experienced boat owners have any advice on this? In terms of fuel consumption, service & maintenance costs, reliability, longevity etc?

 

[landlockedpirate]

Welcome to the forum.

The Inboard V Outboard problem is actually quite simple. With the exception of the Fletcher 19, there are no outboard powered cuddies that you can comfortably overnight on. Outboard cuddies are all sub 19ft and the cuddy is really just a crawl in space, if you go to the slightly larger cuddy size (20ft +) they are big enough to sit in and often have a a porta potti and a sink.

But to try and answer yourr questions.

Fuel consumption: Like for a like an inboard will be quite a lot cheaper to run than an old school 2 stroke and a bit cheaper than a modern 4 stroke.

Maintenance: Outboard significantly cheaper. Actual costs depends on the engine and where you are in the country. A lot of outboard work is easy DIY.

Reliability: It all depends on maintenance, look after either and they run forever.

Longevity: I think outboards last longer because ultimately they are cheaper to fix, rather than have to scrap. Take a look on ebay, there are a lot more 70's outboards still alive than there are inboards.

A cuddy is a good choice for a starter boat, and as long as you dont mind the camping type experience, you can spend a few days on board quite easily.

 

[gravygraham]

Exciting days ahead? Whatever you end up buying, just be aware that within a season or two, both Mrs Sprocker and you will be boat shopping for something different. Guaranteed. It's not a fault - it's just how boat ownership goes.

Welcome to the forum by the way.

 

[sprocker]

Thank you for your replies so far, and I agree that this will not be our first!!

If the Mrs had her way she would have spent £££ on a new Bayliner 642 last week......but sense prevailed and we will go for something smaller and cheaper to learn on.

Any other advice for the purchase of a 'first' boat would be very much appreciated.

 

[ontheplane]

Buy something common and well known - it may well be that you will want to sell after a season or two, and if you buy something obscure you'll struggle to sell on.

Buy something popular and don't pay too much and you can sell it on in a year or two without losing much money and buy the next one....

Going back to the original question.....

Outboard is better to start with. Although it will use a bit more fuel, that isn't massive over the season (most people do 50 hours tops) - but the potential bills to repair are lower, plus if you love the boat but the engine isn't right you can swap it out much more cheaply and easily than an inboard.

Outboards are also lighter. If your budget stretches to it, then an modern direct injection 2 stroke (Think Etec) or lean burn 4 stroke (Suzuki or others) will be surprisingly economical (for a boat).

Something like a fletcher 19 (GTS or GTO) would do you well as a first boat, and they are ever so re-sellable if it's not right.

 

[RogerRat]

I've just started researching into buying my first (owned) boat, and will be looking for something around the 20ft mark.

It will be used inshore coastal/estuary only, for coast hopping/fishing/leisure for Mrs Sprocker and myself. Mrs Sprocker demands a 'sporty' type and I am drawn to the

Would any experienced boat owners have any advice on this? In terms of fuel consumption, service & maintenance costs, reliability, longevity etc?

Hi and welcome too.
The answers above all make good sense to me too and in the smaller boats outboard simplifies so much.

In your OP, you say that fishing is of interest although Mrs. S. wants something sporty. Depending on importance of each, I would suggest looking at 20-25 feet but not new. Fishing boat doesn't not necessarily mean 'plodder', in fact far from it.

A sporty boat will get you from A to B quickly and be literally more fun if you have friends onboard but a smaller 'V' hull does not ride well at anchor compared to a cathedral shape. What this means is that if you're fishing at anchor the 'V' hull will be very rolley, this is where some people will start to feel sick. If Mrs. S. is prone, this could ruin your boating together long term.

The negative is that some cathedrals' can be a bit flat at the back and more likely to slam in a chop but at speeds of around 20 knots, still nice to work with. The 'V' hull will need a touch more power to get planing. Still, both will plane easily with the right motor on the back but you'll also get a better cuddy cabin for shelter and staying over.

The real benefits are they don't cost very much more than a 19-20 footer, far more room inside and space for a loo which will be far more important for Mrs. S than you would believe.

You'll also more likely last an extra year or two before feeling the need to upsize.:encouragement:

Enjoy.

RR