There are many reasons for this, but a major one was that they required maintenance and TLC, characteristics that take time and forethought. Indeed, 20 years ago about 75,000 sterndrives of all sizes were sold new each year, and that number has fallen to around 10,000 a year now.
While the two major sterndrive makers have alloys and coatings that are less prone to corrosion, it remains a concern for many boats. All come with sacrificial anodes to protect against galvanic corrosion. Sterndrives once had a reputation for being prone to corrosion-related issues in saltwater, but manufacturers have significantly improved corrosion resistance on engines and outdrives. The newest sterndrives are for wakesurfing and have forward-facing propellers, as mentioned aboveĪ sterndrive has the engine installed inboard of the transom with the drive outboard, hence the nickname inboard-outboard. Dual-prop drives such as the MerCruiser Bravo Three and Volvo Penta Duoprop are typically paired with larger V-8s ranging from 350 to 430 hp and are used for pushing heavier cruisers and day boats. Single-prop sterndrives are for smaller boats and are matched up primarily with inline 4 , V-6 and V-8 engines. Today, gasoline sterndrive engines range from around 200 hp to 430 hp. The trimmable drive improves performance and economy, and because the drive can be trimmed out, or raised, it allows the boat to be beached. This allows for easier, more confident maneuvering at low speed. The sterndrive engine (sometimes called an inboard/outboard, or I/O) was introduced by Volvo Penta in 1957 as a power system that combined the torque of an inboard engine with a steerable and trimmable drive capability of an outboard. While some mid-range cruisers are available with inboard gas engines, they are quickly being supplanted by the large outboard engines, and they seem to be bound for extinction. Then the Great Recession of 2008 finished off the few that were left. Unfortunately, global economic conditions, foreign wars, and misguided government tax policies spelled the doom for most of the builder that made this types of boats. Throughout the 1960s to the 1990s, inboard gasoline engines were popular in express cruisers, cabin cruisers, express fish boats, and even some small motoryachts in the 3o” to 45” ( 9.10 to 13.71 m) range. But, with experience and patience, most owners get onto it, and this issue did not keep over 13,000 people last year from buying inboard engine tow boats. Perhaps the biggest downside to a single inboard is that they are challenging to dock for the beginner. With the props no longer exposed, regular bow riders are now being used for wake surfing. Mercury’s Four S forward drive was second to market but is picking up in popularity.īoth Volvo and Mercury have introduced forward-facing lower units that put the props about 26” (.66 cm) forward of where they would be otherwise.
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