inboard vs. outboard

[pat_oconnor]

Where can I get some honest advise regarding purchasing inboard (eg. Bertram 31) vs. outboard (eg. Grady White 300 Marlin) for saltwater deep sea sportfishing?

[jp]

Thats a big question and I'm not surprised nobody tried to answer it, im only a boater so here goes:
compare maintenance prices, can you do your own work on the inboards?.
inboard boats have their center of gravity more to the center so you may get a better ride in rough seas.
compare prices im sure the bert costs a lot more but has a higher resale value
look at cockpit space and think about the type of fishing you will be doing, will the outboards get in the way
does speed matter? compare your time to the fishing grounds.I fish with outboards but in shallow water so they are fine for my use. I also like the way the engines come completely out of the water. good luck and i hope to see you out there!

[Michel_Lepers]

I had the same question and finally, I ordered a 2901 striper from seaswirl with twin inboard diesel Volvos and duoprop sterndrive. This answers range and stability of inboard together with beaching possibilities of the outboard and of top of that a much dryer ride due to the wight been positionned lower in the boat.

[steve]

THE REASON I WISH TO CHANGE TO OUTBOARDS IS, I WOULD BE ABLE TO SHUT OFF TWO OF THE THREE OUTBOARDS AND SLOW TROLL ON ONE FOUR STROKE. THIS WOULD HAVE TO SAVE ON FUEL. SOMEONE HAS TOLD ME THAT GAS IN THE BAHAMAS IS 5 A GAL. I ALSO AM SICK OF SCRAPING BARNICLES OFF THE RUNNING GEAR. I WOULDN'T BE AS WORRIED ABOUT SINKING OR BURNING AS MUCH. I HOPE I WOULD PICK UP A FEW KNOTS ALSO BEING ABOUT 1000LBS LIGHTER I WISH THAT THERE WAS SOMEONE OUT THIER THAT WOULD HANDLE THE WHOLE JOB OF REINFORCING MY TRANSOM, ADDING A BRACKET, AND MOUNTING OUTBOARDS. I HAVE A 35' MAGNUM WITH A FLY BRIDGE. I LOVE MY HULL I JUST HATE BIG-BLOCKS.

[Marlinhunter]

I've gone full circle from single OB to twin to inboard gassers to inboard diesels. For me, the best bang for my buck, is with diesel power. The average recreational boater, oth, may never get full advantage of diesel's high price tag. But I will.

I've had big block 31 Berts that I converted to diesel. later selling them making beyond what I paid for the engines! However, that's not always the case. Most boat owners don't make a dime on resales.