Do You Want an Inboard or Outboard Motor for Your Boat

Whether you do it for fun, thrills, relaxation, or a paycheck, a day on the water in your very own boat is a day well-spent. But if you’re tired of rowing or sailing, you’re going to need to make a choice: do you want an inboard motor or an outboard one?

We here at Roger’s Performance Marine want to help you find the best option for your needs, so we’ve put together a brief comparison to help you decide between the two. To learn more, or to see the inboard, outboard, and other motors we have for sale, contact our stores in Centerville and Hurricane, Utah, today!

Inboard Motors: Benefits

Inboard motors are engines that are installed inside the hull of your boat, and they have more than a few advantages.

Low-Speed Maneuvering

Thanks to a couple of mechanics called directional thrust and integral skeg, an inboard motor promises heightened maneuvering when cruising at low speeds. This comes into play in a few situations, but most importantly when you’re trying to dock your boat. You’ll have a much easier time getting away from and into your docking station with an inboard motor.

Safety and Noise

One of the biggest bonuses of an inboard motor is increased safety. With these, the fuel tank is contained inside the hull of your boat, providing an extra layer of security against leaks or damage. The engine itself is also more securely contained, which has the added benefit of a quieter ride.

Outboard Motors: Benefits

Outboard motors are mounted to the outside of your boat at the rear, meaning you can dismount them easily. For this and a few other reasons, they also bear serious consideration.

Easy Maintenance and Storage

The fact that you can pull the motor off the boat when and where you like is a major plus. They don’t have to sit in the water all the time, meaning they have less exposure to corrosion and water-borne debris and dirt. You can simply dock, pull the motor off, and place it in a secure storage container. 

It’s also easier and cheaper to maintain and repair, in part thanks to the portability, in part thanks to the relative simplicity of the machine. Further, you can tilt the motor out of the water to avoid scraping against shallows or debris.

Tighter Turns and Interior Space

Because the motor is the furthest point at the back of the boat, you’ll have a much tighter turn radius than you would with an inboard motor. Plus, because they don’t take up any hull space, the hull can be relatively thin, increasing the amount of space you have inside the boat for storage and living space.

Ready to make a decision? Contact us at Roger’s Performance Marine for more help, or to see the inboard and outboard motors we have available. We proudly serve Salt Lake City and St. George, Utah—let us serve you today!