| Choosing the engine (or propulsion system) for | | | | motors are very popular. Similiar to the stern |
| your boat is very important. Both the weight and | | | | drive motor, the inboard motor is mounted inside |
| the horsepower will have a major impact on the | | | | the boat towards the center, giving you good |
| performance of your boat. If you have a boat | | | | weight proportion. |
| that's underpowered, the engine will work twice | | | | Inboards connect directly to the transmission, |
| as hard, giving you poor performance. | | | | then on through the hull of the boat. Then, the |
| Now, we will take a look at the motors available | | | | shaft is attached to a propeller which will turn and |
| for boats and vessels: | | | | propel the boat. The shaft is fixed and doesn't |
| Outboard motor | | | | swivel around. Therefore, a rudder is mounted |
| An outboard motor is very popular and very | | | | behind the shaft and propeller to help deflect the |
| useful on small boats. These motors are very | | | | flow of water which provides your steering |
| light, powerful, and extremely quiet. Normally | | | | direction. |
| mounted on the transom of a boat, there are | | | | Jet drive |
| boats available that offer a motor well or even a | | | | Jet drive propulsion systems have a big |
| bracket to mount the motor to. | | | | advantage - no propeller to cause damage or |
| The entire motor will swivel about, providing easy | | | | injury to those in the water, including marine life. |
| steering as the turning propeller pushes the stern | | | | Normally, they are inboard engines that will take in |
| about. Outboard motors come in many different | | | | water that flows through a pump, powered by an |
| sizes and the horsepower can use different types | | | | impeller. |
| of fuel. | | | | Then, the water is discharged at a very high |
| Stern drive | | | | pressure through a nozzle that will propel the boat. |
| These motors are also known as I/O engines, | | | | To provide steering for the boat, the nozzle will |
| and normally heavier than outboard motors. | | | | swivel. For personal watercraft, a jet drive is the |
| Consisting of an engine mounted inboard and a | | | | way to go. |
| lower unit attached to the transom, these motors | | | | Keep in mind that when power isn't being applied, |
| offer power and versatility. You can also tilt the | | | | jet driven boats will lose steering, as the stream |
| motor up and down to help provide boat trim | | | | of water that propels the boat won't be there. |
| while you cruise. | | | | Therefore, always keep any part of your body |
| Inboards | | | | away from the pump intake - and never operate |
| On boats that are over 26 feet in length, these | | | | these types of boats in shallow water. |