Sooo why all the hype about outboards?

[Gasnsuntanlotion]

Can some one explain to me why outboards are all the rage right now? Besides easier to work on and potential more room in the boat. Why?

 

[RodnJen]

Because they are better than they have ever been, and that’s saying something. The also have an excellent power to weight ratio and are very reliable.

 

[hallett21]

They’ve always been better. Just took a while for the masses to get smart [emoji6].

Power to weight ratio as well as reliability. Most I/O guys cringe at running WOT for extended runs. Outboards can run for 30,60,or 90 mins WOT.


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[4Waters]

They run hard A/F but to me a boat with an outboard looks like an afterthought. "Look at this boat, it looks badass and fast. Oh shit we forgot to put an engine in it, let's just put this on the back". I can't get over the afterthought look.

 

[Mototrig]

They run hard A/F but to me a boat with an outboard looks like an afterthought. "Look at this boat, it looks badass and fast. Oh shit we forgot to put an engine in it, let's just put this on the back". I can't get over the afterthought look.

I'm an outboard fan LoL

 

[Gasnsuntanlotion]

They’ve always been better. Just took a while for the masses to get smart [emoji6].

Power to weight ratio as well as reliability. Most I/O guys cringe at running WOT for extended runs. Outboards can run for 30,60,or 90 mins WOT.


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So running twin 300Rs would be more efficient and long lasting then a single 600sci? I understand they run higher rpms but what about the drag from an extra drive in the water?

 

[rivermobster]

Can some one explain to me why outboards are all the rage right now? Besides easier to work on and potential more room in the boat. Why?

In a word...

Maintenance.

Or lack their of to be exact.

Keep in mind, a car/truck engine was never designed to be in a boat. The Wacker was designed for the water from the ground up.

The new super charged ones are unreal. Massive power with or so little weight compared to an inboard set up.

It just took awhile for the masses to figure it out.

 

[Yellowboat]

Don't forget they are cheaper. At least compared to a motor drive combo.

 

[CLdrinker]

So running twin 300Rs would be more efficient and long lasting then a single 600sci? I understand they run higher rpms but what about the drag from an extra drive in the water?

And way faster.

 

[KENDOG689]

I would love to see one of the new motors on a serious drag boat effort.

 

[Mototrig]

I would love to see one of the new motors on a serious drag boat effort.

I bet a 450 could push a capsule hydro 140+
(Probably more)

 

[n2otoofast4u]

So running twin 300Rs would be more efficient and long lasting then a single 600sci? I understand they run higher rpms but what about the drag from an extra drive in the water?

Much more efficient at the same speed.

300s will be substantially faster top speed.

The rebuild interval of the 600sci is pathetic at best.

 

[RCDave]

Because it's so awesome to smoke the IO's and jets wit equal or much more power. An example. A 300xs on a 22' tunnel hull = 92-94mph. How much HP would it take to push an equal size boat with a jet? An I/o?

And that 300xs at cruising Speed. Gets 4-6 mpg.....

 

[Headless hula]

The new outboards, ie verados life is measured in thousands of hours.
Not real frequent you hear of a stern drive or any other car motor lasting that long.
No standing on your head in a bilge to service it either.

 

[Headless hula]

Oh, warranties are pretty incredible too. Up to 7 years on the merc stuff, 10 on a johnnyrude. (Everyone know that the last guy to the other end of the lake has a little Johnson, so, there's that....)

 

[KENDOG689]

I bet a 450 could push a capsule hydro 140+
(Probably more)

They used to run them years ago and were fast.A new hydro hull and the weight in the right spot?

 

[monkeyswrench]

I have been looking through all kinds of stuff on this very subject. I can do a fair amount of V8 automotive stuff. Cars with EFI, turbos and blowers...go fast or go boom stuff. The packaging of the outboards are bitchin. One of the gents in the "Church" gave me a link to Merc's site of outboard diagrams. It is a more advanced mechanical design. I am intrigued by all things mechanical. They are pretty amazing. But...like all things boat related...the dollar to horsepower ratio is staggering.

 

[Gasnsuntanlotion]

I have been looking through all kinds of stuff on this very subject. I can do a fair amount of V8 automotive stuff. Cars with EFI, turbos and blowers...go fast or go boom stuff. The packaging of the outboards are bitchin. One of the gents in the "Church" gave me a link to Merc's site of outboard diagrams. It is a more advanced mechanical design. I am intrigued by all things mechanical. They are pretty amazing. But...like all things boat related...the dollar to horsepower ratio is staggering.

A pair of 300Rs would be a cheaper purchase then a 600sci package?

 

[H2O]

If you log a lot of hours, maintaining Outdrives is a buzz kill too...

 

[KENDOG689]

I have been looking through all kinds of stuff on this very subject. I can do a fair amount of V8 automotive stuff. Cars with EFI, turbos and blowers...go fast or go boom stuff. The packaging of the outboards are bitchin. One of the gents in the "Church" gave me a link to Merc's site of outboard diagrams. It is a more advanced mechanical design. I am intrigued by all things mechanical. They are pretty amazing. But...like all things boat related...the dollar to horsepower ratio is staggering.

Why they have been undercover for so long.Chevy,ford and mopar car engines are cheap.OB'S make a ton of hp for the weight and will see more soon.

 

[Riley1]

I’ve been an outboard guy my whole life. Only have an I/O because the wife wanted a big block. She’ll be the first one to tell you “Now” that our boat would be better with an outboard.

When I met her, she made fun of me for having an “eggbeater “.

 

[KENDOG689]

I’ve been an outboard guy my whole life. Only have an I/O because the wife wanted a big block. She’ll be the first one to tell you “Now” that our boat would be better with an outboard.

When I met her, she made fun of me for having an “eggbeater “.

She will correct that soon.

 

[Riley1]

She will correct that soon.

She was actually ready to sell our boat for a Mach 22 with a 300.
And that would be an ideal boat once we build in Willow Valley.
But might render the 18’ Bahner outboard useless.

 

[Mototrig]

Because it's so awesome to smoke the IO's and jets wit equal or much more power. An example. A 300xs on a 22' tunnel hull = 92-94mph. How much HP would it take to push an equal size boat with a jet? An I/o?

And that 300xs at cruising Speed. Gets 4-6 mpg.....

THIS!!

 

[KENDOG689]

She was actually ready to sell our boat for a Mach 22 with a 300.
And that would be an ideal boat once we build in Willow Valley.
But might render the 18’ Bahner outboard useless.

I live in Willow,would be nice to meet you.

 

[Riley1]

I live in Willow,would be nice to meet you.

We just bought dirt on spruce st. Will be out at the needles boat show.
Probably over a year from building. I’m thinking about getting power first so we can at least take the RV out there until we build

 

[KENDOG689]

Tree side.....Bird side here.Get the power first and if you need help let me know.

 

[brgrcru]

I like them outboards .
But nothing beats the sound of a big cubic inches, through a set of headers.

 

[n2otoofast4u]

I like them outboards .
But nothing beats the sound of a big cubic inches, through a set of headers.

That has been one of the hardest parts to get used to is not hearing that sound when I turn the key on these 300s! I get over it pretty quickly when I put the headsets on and lean the sticks forward with little worry!

 

[Loo Dog]

Out of curiosity, what does a 600sci cost, plus a legit drive? 300’rs can be had brand new well under $30k per motor. Now factor in maintenance, warranty, etc.

 

[Gasnsuntanlotion]

I like them outboards .
But nothing beats the sound of a big cubic inches, through a set of headers.

I’ve always been a stern drive guy, small block, big block but these new outboards have me thinking!

 

[Gasnsuntanlotion]

Out of curiosity, what does a 600sci cost, plus a legit drive? 300’rs can be had brand new well under $30k per motor. Now factor in maintenance, warranty, etc.

I think high 50s for the complete package

 

[Mototrig]

I grew up down the street from Al Stoker's race shop (John's Custom Marine). When I was a kid in the late 80's and early 90's we bought all all our boat parts from their shop. On the showroom floor John's always had a couple of 20.5ft Mod-V boats with 225-300 Rude power. I was always fascinated how so much power and speed could be produced from such a small powerplant.

I'm a weedwacker fan for life

 

[RCDave]

I like them outboards .
But nothing beats the sound of a big cubic inches, through a set of headers.

It's really hard to hear that big block when you're out front to far. But love the sound too

 

[warlock250]

Don't forget they are cheaper. At least compared to a motor drive combo.

Bingo. It's a price point that is sorta affordable. The 400 Merc just went up in price another 3k though.

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[Hullbilly]

Because it's so awesome to smoke the IO's and jets wit equal or much more power. An example. A 300xs on a 22' tunnel hull = 92-94mph. How much HP would it take to push an equal size boat with a jet? An I/o?

And that 300xs at cruising Speed. Gets 4-6 mpg.....

Lol I used to say my 29 with twins would burn 1.5GPM. gallons per minute

Whackers are way cool, and the new V8’s have this guy drooling

 

[Loo Dog]

I think high 50s for the complete package

So roughly the same price for a 600sci with drive as twin 300R’s. Weight savings, maintenance and warranty issues makes me lean toward the twin whackers. Plus the low speed maneuvering advantage of twin outboards. Not to mention builders are now adapting to open up additional space in the boats specifically for outboard power. The huge engine bay real estate required for inboard power can’t be overlooked. More room in the cockpit AND more storage under the hatch is a win for an outboard setup.

 

[hallett21]

I would love to see one of the new motors on a serious drag boat effort.

Why? If you want to be the fastest you can spend cubic dollars to get there. Always been a fact that the most money spend = the fastest boat.


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[KingofBeers]

Just wait until the new merc v8 outboards start making the power they are capable of. The 4.6l should make 500hp easily. It only weighs ~550lbs with fluids.

 

[brgrcru]

It's really hard to hear that big block when you're out front to far. But love the sound too

I had a 20' Schiada with a egg beater on it, and I liked it . I hAve nothing against OB .
Would love to have a nice DCB 22' lower River OB

I'm just a poor small boat guy . 19' and under . Yet I have never lost a river race to OB in my California performance up to 600 feet . After that I can care less .
My Cole flat has a simple 468 . It has no chance against the jet .


Big block motors with EFI I know nothing about .

I'm a simple man .
And enjoy shallow water.

 

[Wheeler]

Why? If you want to be the fastest you can spend cubic dollars to get there. Always been a fact that the most money spend = the fastest boat.


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This was not the case with Eddie Knox.

 

[Gelcoater]

Can some one explain to me why outboards are all the rage right now? Besides easier to work on and potential more room in the boat. Why?

Whip out your calculator and do some math.
The 400R is making 400 hp from 2.6 liters.
That’s 153.8 hp per liter.
It’s a 7,000rpm screamer that runs on pump gas with a warranty and an engine lifespan rated in thousands of hours.
To put it in perspective the Merc 600sci is making 73hp per liter.

 

[Goodtime$]

Whip out your calculator and do some math.
The 400R is making 400 hp from 2.6 liters.
That’s 153.8 hp per liter.
It’s a 7,000rpm screamer that runs on pump gas with a warranty and an engine lifespan rated in thousands of hours.
To put it in perspective the Merc 600sci is making 73hp per liter.

Gelcoater is 100% on it. It’s the lack of bullshit. They are turn key power

You go east of arizona and outdrives are hard to find

 

[monkeyswrench]

Me being a pavement guy, by birth and choice, the outboards kind of frighten me. I've had V-drives, jets and one outdrive. I do my own maintenance, and when called for my own engine work. An outboard has the motor standing on it's end, and some odd induction and exhaust. Weird stuff going on. I am pretty traditional, usually stuff between 330ci to the 540ci range. Yes, stuff does break. When those break, I have no problem pulling them down, and seeing what needs fixing. I know outboards don't break often, but everything does eventually. When they break, do they lunch the block (case, crank housing, whatever they call it)? How much can be squeezed out of a 300r? How the hell do you dyno them? I understand outboards are purpose built, but a bbc based engine has evolved for over 50 years, and the LS based stuff has quickly surpassed them in the last 20. My main problem is I learned stuff the old fashioned way. Bought stock crap, ran it till it broke. Fix and build the broken stuff with bigger better stuff. Rinse and repeat. 300r's aren't plentiful cores laying around to butcher and play with. Not to mention, putting a 300r on either of my current boats would be kind of like putting a diamond on a goat's ass! Wasted bling

 

[4Waters]

Don't forget they are cheaper. At least compared to a motor drive combo.

Are you sure?

Comparable hp, the 6.2 350hp

Basically 1/2 the price

 

[AZMIDLYF]

MTI 34 with twin 300Rs...the sound is still nice and an outboard running a buck 10 I think...

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=2564914986859101

 

[Yellowboat]

You can't compare a 300 hp out board to a 300 v8. You have too base it on what the boat speed is. You also have to do the install, an outboard is easy, a in board take a lot more work

 

[Gelcoater]

Gelcoater is 100% on it. It’s the lack of bullshit. They are turn key power

You go east of arizona and outdrives are hard to find

Doing more math
A Mercury 1350 is “almost” as efficient, at 150/liter.
The 1550 is surpassing at 170+ but runs on race gas to do it.
The 400 is top tier tech and performance offered to the masses, more or less common man.
It’s a much easier pill to swallow than a 1350

 

[spectras only]

I’ve always been a stern drive guy, small block, big block but these new outboards have me thinking!

So, are you thinking getting into pontoons where outboards belong?

 

[dave29]

I had a DCB M35. When I was in Havasu storing my boat at the Islander, items like servicing etc were no problem with the local experts like AJ at Barrett. Moved my boat to Antelope at Powell and guess what....zero maintenance people there. Drive and motor fluid changes, water pumps etc you do yourself in 115 degree temps which I did. Then I decided I didn't need to go 140 mph every day so I ordered a M29 twin 300 outboard set up. Surprise, there are quite a few Mercury certified outboard folks out there. Also, the miles per gallon was double that of my M35 with two 700 Mercs cruising at 85 mph. Why outboards? Unless you really need 135mph plus, it's just an easier life.