Are boats more maneuverable with inboard or outboard?

richrand · Post by **richrand** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 12:31 pm

Hey,

The title sums up my query. Are sailboats, 7.9 in particular, more maneuverable with inboard or outboard? Or does it not matter. All variables should be assumed to be ideal for each setup (right HP, right shaft length, right setup, etc.)

Thanks.

Rich

Jeffrey · Post by **Jeffrey** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 3:03 pm

Out board is, if you can steer the motor and rudder together. Jeff #250

LarryE-old · Post by **LarryE-old** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 7:09 pm

By turning the outboard and rudder the same way hard, I can spin tight circles

Tom Line · Post by **Tom Line** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 12:39 pm

Yep. If you can steer the outboard and the helm at once (not hard), you can turn on a dime.

rogerssp · Post by **rogerssp** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 8:03 pm

A steerable prop is always more manuverable than a fixed prop. A more distantant prop from the centerline of the hull is alway more manuverable. The outboard wins in every case.

Spencer Rogers
288 Avatar

Post by **fleck** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 8:53 am

I don't think that distance from center has anything to do with it. At slow speeds, before you can steer with the rudder, you can turn the motor and change the trust direction for steering.

Greg Fiegelist · Post by **Greg Fiegelist** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 6:50 am

Love my 7.9, had it about 6 years, but next boat will be a inboard. We do day sailing and some cruising. Prop comes out of the water too mutch on lake Erie when bouncing on waves. Also seems very slow going when the wind dies (9.9 hp).

Greg "Shelly Girl"

Bob Kirsten · Post by **Bob Kirsten** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 10:56 pm

Rich,

My 7.9 has the Yanmar Diesel, and my previous boat was a J24 with 5HP Honda outboard. All the other comments are right on, that if you choose to steer the outboard, it will turn tighter than the inboard, but it does take some gymnastics over the transom to pull it off. Even with the inboard, the 7.9 will turn in about her own length. I love the ability to stand at the helm and nudge the throttle, or shift into reverse easily (with the inboard). A friend at the club has a 10HP outboard on his 7.9 and I think it is faster than my Yanmar, but I can take the waves better.

Bob Kirsten
DD Mau

Norwalk-ROTC · Post by **Norwalk-ROTC** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 9:11 am

Basic answer to basic question is - more manueverable with the outboard because the outboard and rudder can be used in concert to turn more sharply.

S2 7.9 Meter Class Association

Are boats more maneuverable with inboard or outboard?

Are boats more maneuverable with inboard or outboard?

Circles

Your question on inboard vs outboard