When we talk about marine engines, the engines with low performance and power are very disappointing. An underpowered engine is inefficient from the perspective of the fuel usage as well. The boats with low powered marine engines are not worth a penny and can be a big headache for you in terms of maintenance and performance.
When you plan to but a marine engine, make sure that main propulsion of the boat is adequate for the intended usage.
The marine engines are mainly of four types. These are:
Inboard/Outboard engines: These engines are more or less like an automobile engine and are amounted inside the hull of boat below decks and the drive unit is mounted on stern of boat with a drive shaft encased in a boat which goes through the stern of the hull. These engines are best suited for runabouts, deck boats and small cabin cruisers.
Inboard: The traditional inboard propulsion system is commonly found in flat bottom ski boats intended to produce as little wake as possible. In these systems, the engine is mounted to the hull 6 to 8 feet forward of the transom and ahead of transmission and the propeller shaft runs through the hull at an angle and the propeller is located under the hull near the transom of the boat. Since the engine is fixed, the steering is controlled by a rudder which is normally mounted just aft of the propeller. These type of marine engines are typically designed for oceangoing boats.
Outboard: From as little as a 3 horsepower up to 300 horsepower, outboard marine engines are mounted onto the transom of a boat. Since the whole engine and drive train is a single unit which turns by the steering, they provide very good maneuverability. These engines are specifically use for the high speed applications like bass boats and also in the boats where power and quiet matters a lot much like cruising.
Water jet: Several manufacturers are producing water jet engines that utilize and inboard mounted engine with a high speed water pump that pushed a jet to water out of transom through a jet nozzle to propel the boat forward. Although the water jet marine engines are very fast and responsive yet they are not very productive. These are very difficult to manage at low speeds as they have no neutral gear. They are either in forward or in reverse and the only way to enjoy a true neutral position are to turn the motor off.
All the boats expect water jet; employ a propeller to cause the boat to move in the desired direction. The propellers are rated by their pitch and diameter. Generally high the number of pitch, better is the acceleration. Therefore, it is very important to consult a marine dealer to determine the propeller best suited for your desired performance.
At last, it is very important to buy a marine engine that has adequate power and performance. Get a right engine for your boat and have a pleasure time cruising.
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