Why Choose an Inboard Motor for Your Boat?

When buying a new boat from a company like Aquasports Marine, you have the choice of an inboard motor, which is a motor that is located in an enclosed space inside the boat itself, or an outboard motor, which is a separate motor that attaches to the boat with clamps. Both may offer certain advantages but there are many reasons why inboard motors are often chosen versus an outboard motor. If you're in the market for your first boat, consider why you might opt for an inboard engine.

1. Health

You may not think of your health as being affected by outboard motors, but like car engines, these motors produce fumes and emissions as they operate. These fumes and emissions are created right at the back of the boat, where they can be in the proximity of boat passengers. While the fresh air of the open water can disperse much of what you would otherwise breathe in, it can still be unhealthy to be sitting near a large outboard boat motor.

An inboard engine expels fumes and emissions away from passengers in the boat. The motor is generally located in the middle of the boat and then has a long shaft that connects the engine to the propeller at the back of the boat. A pipe will direct fumes and emissions away from the boat's motor and in turn, away from the boat's occupants.

2. Stability and security

Because an inboard motor is typically located near the center of the boat, this offers greater stability for the boat. With an outboard motor, there is excess weight on the back of the boat, and this in turn can make it unstable, especially if you want to swim off the boat and want to stand or climb on the back of the boat. The weight of the boat's occupants and the outboard motor can cause the boat to tip more easily. Having the inboard motor encased in the boat itself also makes it easier for skiers as they produce less wake than outboard motors. 

Remember too that it's virtually impossible for someone to steal your inboard engine, whereas someone can swipe your outboard motor right off your boat in only a matter of minutes. You might also find it cumbersome to remove and then reattach your motor each time you go out on the boat, but for the sake of security, you don't want to leave it on the boat, unattended. With an inboard motor, there is no need to remove it or secure it every time you want to hit the water.