Is an Inboard Motor Boat Right for You?

Before you purchase an inboard motor boat, it is important to decide whether the design and features of this type of boat are suited to your lifestyle, leisure and recreational aspirations. In this article, we will offer our insights on inboard boats, explaining the differences between inboard and outboard boats, before highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of inboard motors to help you decide whether they are right for you.

What Is an Inboard Motor Boat?

Inboard motor boats are defined by their internal engines, which are mounted inside the hull and typically located in the middle or near the rear of the vessel. Powered by a transmission at the stern of the boat, the inboard motor rotates a fixed driveshaft, which runs through the hull and connects to the propeller on the outside of the boat. This system of operation allows the engine to achieve horsepower in the range of 90 to over 1,000 HP, which makes inboard motor boats ideal for performing water sports.

Differences Between Inboard vs Outboard Boats

As their name would suggest, outboard boats feature external engines housed inside independent outboard motor systems that can be mounted and detached from the transom. Rather than controlling the engine via a transmission, outboard motor boats are operated by raising and lowering the throttle, then turning the tiller in the direction you want to go.

This control method may seem rudimentary when compared with inboard motor boats, but having an external motor makes it easier to navigate shallow waters, while improving your access to the engine should you need to perform maintenance. The compact nature of the engines similarly impacts their horsepower, with some smaller boats producing as low as 8 HP, while even larger outboard vessels peak at around 600 HP.

Advantages of Inboard Motor Boats

• Even Weight Distribution – Mounting the engine in the middle of an inboard motor boat enhances the stability of the vessel. This makes it easier for passengers to move around the boat without throwing it off balance, while improving the handling of the vessel, such that it can take those sharp turns we associate with water sports such as water skiing and wakeboarding.
  
  
• Quieter Engine – Concealing the engine inside the hull significantly reduces the noise it creates, making it possible for passengers to maintain a normal volume of conversation even when their inboard motor boat is approaching higher speeds.
  
  
• Submerged propeller – Much like their engines, the propellers of inboard motor boats are typically located underneath the boat, providing safer access onto the boat for water-skiers and wake boarders after they have completed their set. The absence of an outboard motor at the back of the vessel similarly makes it easier for general passengers to get on and off the boat, too.
  
  
• Sleek design – Without an exposed engine attached to the transom, inboard motor boats boast a cleaner design that elevates the aesthetic of the vessel.  

Disadvantages of Inboard Motor Boats

• Difficult Maintenance – When issues arise with your inboard boat, it can be difficult to get access to the engine to diagnose and fix the issue.
  
  
• Vibrations – When travelling at higher speeds, the rotation of the propeller can produce vibrations through the hull of the boat, making it uncomfortable for anyone sitting at the back of the vessel.
  
  
• Unsuitable in Shallow Water – As the propeller is submerged, this can make even smaller inboard boats unsuitable for shallow waters, which can limit the places where you can use your boat. 

Inboard Motor Boats Designed for Water Sports

We have already highlighted how the positioning of inboard engines improves their stability and safety, but there are many more advantages of inboard motors that make them perfect for water sports. These include:

• Superior Torque - The size of inboard engines allows them to produce more horsepower and torque, allowing them to pull water skiers or wakeboarders much faster without impacting their balance.
  
  
• Optimal Towing Positioning – The central location of the engine improves the stability for your tower or pylon, which in turn supports the person being towed. 
  
  
• Wake Generation – The hulls of inboard motor boats are designed to produce consistent wakes behind the vessel, ideal for performing jumps and other tricks.

Whether you want to partake in recreational water sports with friends and family this summer or you want a reliable vessel for hosting parties or relaxing outings on the water, buying an inboard motor boat may be the best investment you can make. At OnlyInboards, we have the largest selection of new and used inboard motor boats on the internet, as well as all the equipment you need to get started on any water sport of your choosing. For more information about our extensive marketplace, or to find out more about how to get started with wakeboarding, water skiing or any other inboard boating pastime, contact us today or explore our blog for our professional insights.