Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

We have a boat show to go to in a few weeks so I keep asking basic questions.
is an inboard better than an out board? which requires less maintenance (what of this E-Tech I hear about [there website is down]) and what can I expect from each? I know is is a broad question, but I dont know where to start. thanks!

In a toon a I/O can be hard to work on with tight fit. Usually a little quieter yet much heavier. Most are tried and true engines that have been around a while.

The E-Tec I also looked at recently and am very impressed. Quiet as a 4 stroke, torque like a 2 stroke and very efficient on fuel and oil. Offering 5 year warranty now I believe. No touch for 3 years for any maintenance. out of the box ready to go with no break in.

I/O - more maintenance and MUST be winterized if it doesn't have closed cooling. Usually outlast outboards by many years. 4 cylinder 3.0 liters found on most 'toons is simple to work on (yet cramped) with basic knowledge and tools.

Outboards - less maintenance and not much winterizing to do. Better for those not mechanically inclined (but they tend have more complex ignition and fuel systems requiring a pro to service).

I like the two stroke outboards. Less maint, less weight and typically more speed per hp. The newer 2 strokes are pretty quiet. They just keep getting better every year.
doc

Price as well...
Replacing a 135hp 3.0 i/o 4 banger is cheap.
A OB 135hp aint cheap.

Especially considering all you have to buy is the long block.

Although I currently own an OB I'm still a big fan of I/O's. In fact, I was looking at the tracker 22 but the year I was ready to buy they raised their price by about 25% and priced me out of the market. In the past you could make the statement that I/O's, with their auto engines, would out last an outboard hands down (back when all OB were 2 strokes). Today’s 4 stroke OB's have all the advantages of that auto engine (4 stroke longevity) with OB conveniences (very easy to work on and maintain). It's very true that replacing the power head of a 4s OB is far more expensive than an I/O but most OB failures I've experience were from cylinder scoring in 2 strock engines. 4 strokes seldom have this problem.