![]() Will you settle for the more versatile and wakeboarding-friendly V-drive or the more straightforward and power-saving direct drive? That’s a question that can only be answered correctly once you digest all the information I shared here. Ultimately, either one can stand out if you use each one for the purposes and water activities they shine the most in. Given the similarities and varying advantages and disadvantages of both motor systems, there’s no clear winner in the V-drive vs direct drive battle. Tends to burn more fuel than sterndrives.Instead, inboards have a rudder or rudders that are located behind the propeller and controlled by a steering wheel. Unlike an outboard, an inboard engine does not also steer the boat. These engines power a drive shaft that is connected to a propeller. The shaft’s V angle isn’t optimal, meaning its setup results in excess power loss not present in other motor systems. Inboard engines are four-stroke automotive engines that have been modified for use on the water.the muffler and transmission) take up precious real estate. Despite the additional space, V-drive components found below deck (e.g.The fact that they create more drag proves that V-drive problems are no different from the ones most inboards have.V-Drive props also make it difficult to drive in reverse.Boat Repair: Choosing a Marine MechanicĮditor's Note: This article was originally published in September 2015 and updated in March 2020.Read Next: Marine Engine Maintenance & Care Guide Again, consult the owner’s manual for specific two-stroke oil requirements. Two-stroke outboards require oil that meets the TC-W standard, which indicates a marine oil designed for a two-stroke engine. Follow the owner’s manual maintenance instructions regarding oil and filter changes. The engine is typically housed under the stern, which arguably is more noise-canceling than an inboard whose location is in the center wheelhouse (although that may not always be the case in all vessels). The FC-W spec adds a rust-protection requirement that does not exist for automotive engine oils, and imposes a higher minimum viscosity level, which means that FC-W oil will not thin out as much as automotive oil of the same viscosity under identical heat and rpm conditions. The average sterndrives definition highlights the inboard motor and outboard drive system that these types of engines use to propel the boat. Choosing the Right Marine OilĬonsult your owner’s manual for the exact oil specification, but in almost every instance the manufacturer will require that oil for four-stroke engines meets the FC-W certification (it will have an FC-W symbol on the label). Every engine manufacturer offers a quality fuel stabilizer additive that’s always a good choice for use with boat fuel. A carburetor is vented, however, and fuel in the float bowl will begin to oxidize especially quickly if the boat is kept in a hot garage or under a heat-trapping cover, leaving behind gunky deposits that will ruin your weekend. This is more of an issue for older “pre-fuel injection” engines that have a carburetor.Ī fuel injection system is closed and under pressure when the engine is not running so fuel is not exposed to air. Modern fuel can begin to deteriorate and oxidize in as little as 15 days. Use marine-specific fuel stabilizer at the correct ratio in every tank of fuel to prevent oxidation and phase separation.Carry a spare filter element on board (check with your engine manufacturer for the best size filter).A 10-micron water-separating fuel filter between the fuel tank and the engine will keep water and contaminants out of the engine. Some high-performance engines may require a higher octane rating than “regular” 87 octane. The owner’s manual may also specify a minimum fuel octane rating. Ethanol attracts water and can absorb moisture from the marine environment through the fuel tank vent system, and it’s possible for that water to settle out of the fuel (phase separation) on the bottom of the tank, which could cause the engine to not operate or be damaged. When possible its best to avoid ethanol all together when fueling up a boat. E15 is becoming more prevalent across the country but is not always obviously labelled. There are also many older marine engines on the water, especially in freshwater areas, that were manufactured before any amount of ethanol was common in motor fuel and are thus often incompatible with ethanol fuels unless the system is updated. The fuel system components of the boat and engine are not designed to tolerate the corrosive effects of an ethanol blend higher than 10 percent.
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