You can see them and reach them at all times. Outboard motors are also highly accessible. Because they’re conveniently situated at the back of the boat, they’re easy even for an inexperienced captain to use. For starters, outboard motors are a little easier to use. Let’s start by covering some of the biggest advantages of an outboard motor: How can you make the right decision for your boat? The Advantages of an Outboard Motor The names are somewhat self-explanatory in terms of placement, but each position comes with its own strengths and weaknesses. Print and digital editions are available through Magazines Direct – where you can also find the latest deals.When buying a boat, you’ll often have the option between getting one with an outboard motor and one with an inboard motor. Inboard or outboard? For me, inboard every time.Įnjoyed reading Petrol or diesel, inboard or outboard: which boat engine is best?Ī subscription to Practical Boat Owner magazine costs around 40% less than the cover price. Petrol in a sports boat? Petrol hands down. So petrol versus diesel for our sailing boats? Diesel wins hands down. Larger units can be seen powering RIBS, sportsboats and military vessels, but for a yacht they’re not so suitable. There is also the case for diesel for use in outboards.ĭespite recent advances small diesel outboards are still not mainstream. Inboard engine alternators can produce 60A-plus of electrical power and are good for supplying a lot of power for house batteries. Outboards can work well if the yacht is specifically built to take them – in a well, for instance, or if designed with a large outboard motor in mind as with the MacGregor power sailers – but otherwise they’re really only useful as an auxiliary on an outboard bracket. Most of our sailing yachts have inboard diesel engines, for the reasons already outlined, and because outboards have their limitations when a displacement sailing boat starts pitching in a big sea and the prop doesn’t stay in the water. If the boat is set up properly, bilge blowers will be installed and used prior to switching on the engine to get rid of potential petrol fumes. Petrol engines are fine for use in open sports motorboats where the leakage factor can be catered for with plenty of fresh air. ![]() Fumes are the problem – any leaks and the petrol becomes a gas which can settle in the bilges and can explode.ĭiesel is inherently safe, it doesn’t evaporate to form explosive gas and in fact you can drop a lighted match in a container of diesel and it won’t explode. Petrol can be pretty dangerous when used in a boat. Basically they are safer because of the fuel they use. They also give a lot of low down torque which is important in our use. Why are diesel engines used predominantly in our boats? Diesels are economical, are rugged in their build and are relatively easy to maintain. ![]() Simply speaking diesel engine pistons don’t travel as far as petrol engine ones for a given use and they are more substantially built. In general, the economical band for petrol vehicles is between 1,500rpm and 2,500rpm (for diesels it is between 1,300rpm and 2,000rpm), and these bands are the same for the vast majority of road vehicles and consequently our boats because our engines are mostly based on car or truck engines.
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