Boats 101

Outboard engines like the one shown in the photo to the left are self-contained engine and propellor assemblies that are fixed to the stern (rear) of the boat. This type of engine is found an all pontoon boats, all fishing boats, most deck boats, and some ski boats.

Advantages of outboard engines include their price and effect on boat price (they tend to be lower than inboard or stern drives), their ease of maintenance, their ease of use during the winter months (see the winterization section for more info). Disadvantages include the space they take up at the rear of the boat when swimming, and for older boats their noise. However, today's outboard engines are much quieter than those of the past.

If you're looking for the cheapest boat option to get you on the water, then that boat is likely to have an outboard engine.

Inboard engines are full-sized V8 automotive engines, usually Chevrolet or Ford, that have been configured specifically for marine use by manufacturers such as Indmar, Ilmor and others. They are very powerful due to their need to tow watersports. The inboard engine is less common and is found only in dedicated slalom waterski boats. This mid-ship placement, combined with the flatter hull design of these boats, makes them glide across the water with minimal wakes which is great for slalom skiers.

A more popular option is a v-drive. In these boats, the type of engine is the same but it is placed in a compartment in the stern of the boat, with a v-shaped driveshaft to keep the propellor situated under the boat and out of sight. This makes the cabin roomy but allows for wakesports and a very convenient swimming experience off the back of the boat.

These powerful boats are the muscle cars of the lake and their high performance characteristics make them very fun to drive. They also tend to be luxurious and great all-around fun on the lake boats.

These are a very common engine type for ski boats and some deck boats. These are similar to a v-drive in that they are located in the stern of the boat, however their driveshaft and propellor assembly passes through the hull and propels the boat from just under the swim platform. These boats make great all-around fun on the lake boats like v-drives, with a nice swim area in the stern and usually plenty of power to pull a variety of watersports. However, with one exception, these boats cannot be used for wakesurfing (nor can any other type of boat except inboard and v-drives), because of the location of the propellor. This is not a concern for any other watersport like wakeboarding, tubing, skiing, etc. - only wakesurfing.

The exception is a Volvo's Penta engine and forward drive system. This is a stern drive engine, but with a propellor located toward the front of the propellor assembly, making it safe for wakesurfing. So if you're looking for an all-around boat that can be used for wakesurfing as well, then this would be an option.

Stern drive boats also tend to have a deeper V-shaped hull, making them excellent for cruising across the lake in a comfortable ride.

Not like airplanes!! Much like a jetski, which is powered by a water jet created by the engine, Yamaha makes deep-v ski and wakeboats powered by one or two of these jetski engines. This is another great alternative to the engines described above, and will generally be a less expensive option than the inboard and v-drive wakeboats.

Hull shape, along with the type of engine described above, will determine the overall performance characteristics and capabilities of the boat. Shallow hull shapes are found on fishing boats, intended to be used in shallow water, and dedicated slalom ski boats to minimize the size of the wakes. These boats will be fast and nimble, but will be rough riding in larger areas of the lake with more boat traffic or strong winds.

Deep-v hulls are just like they sound, v-shaped and several feet deep in the water. This shape helps create a very smooth-riding experience in the boat, especially when boat traffic and winds are higher. They will feel a bit more sluggish to drive, but still make excellent choices for a day of fun on the lake.

Some boats, particularly those designed for wakesports, will have a hull shape that is a combination of a "v" and other shapes. This allows them to make very large wakes at lower speeds, but flatten out at higher speeds for other watersports like tubing and skiing. They tend to be nice rides in rougher water, but with higher performance characteristics than deep-v hull boats.