Boat Engines: Serious Consideration

Boat owners have a large number of choices before them when it comes to providing an engine. There are lots of factors to consider, including the boat’s weight and the intended uses for your boat. (When calculating weight, be sure to calculate the weight of passengers, cargo, and fuel, which can total hundreds of pounds.) If you install an engine with too much horsepower, it will drive up avoidable fuel costs and possibly make the boat run faster than is safe. Conversely, too little horsepower is bad, too. The engine will work too hard and maintenance issues can multiply. Your boat’s manufacturer should give you solid recommendations on horsepower, however.

There are three basic varieties of marine engines and three types of fuel delivery systems. Engine types include outboard, inboard, and stern drive. Each has its own advantages, but the most common—at least for pleasure boats—is the stern drive engine. It involves an on board engine that drives the boat through a shaft powering the propeller beneath the craft.

The three types of fuel delivery systems are direct-fuel-injection, electronic fuel injection, and carbureted fuel systems. If being “green” is a priority, you might prefer to avoid the two-stroke carbureted system. Although they are cheaper to purchase in the beginning and simplest to keep in running order, they are notorious polluters and they are definitely not known for conserving gas. They also have a high oil-to-gas ration, requiring 2.5 ounces of oil per gallon of fuel. Carbureted fuel systems do offer speedy acceleration, though, and lots of power. People particularly like them for bass fishing and water skiing.

Direct-fuel-injection is more expensive up front, but it is cheaper to run. Fuel goes straight to the cylinders for better fuel efficiency. Emissions are low, as well. They idle effortlessly and are not prone to vapor lock in hot weather. Similarly, electronic fuel injection offers low emissions and unvarying distribution of air and fuel. It offers quick throttle response and regular cold engine starts.

Needless to say, there is much to ponder when looking at boat engines. The best advice is to know your boat’s vital statistics and how much you want to spend. Investing in the highest quality engine you can afford and maintaining it faithfully will insure you years of fun on the water.