The good memories you make on the water last forever. It’s a shame the boats don’t. Whether the wear and tear of the water has gotten the better of your boat or it’s simply time to upgrade to a bigger or newer model, you’ve found yourself in the market for a new vessel.

As you shop around, you’ve probably noticed that you can choose between an outboard motor or a sterndrive—an inboard/outboard hybrid that separates the inboard engine in the stern from the outboard drive unit. Should you make a switch or stick with what you know? We’ll compare sterndrive versus outboard motor-powered boats and several key factors.

How Do They Work?

Both systems have unique layouts. Sterndrives have an engine inside the boat hull and a drive unit that extends through the transom. This rotating drive unit propels the boat through the water. Outboard motors, on the other hand, have all their mechanisms outside the boat. The engine, propeller, and other mechanical components lie outside of the hull along the transom.

How Do They Perform?

Both types of boats perform well. Sterndrive engines are powerful enough to maneuver large boats and provide great speed, and sterndrives can reach higher speeds than most outboards can. Are you sailing choppy waters? Sterndrives are more suitable for rougher conditions thanks to their excellent speed control, stability, and balance.

Outboard motors are lighter than their sterndrive counterparts and more suitable for small boats and smooth waters.

How Do They Steer?

On a sterndrive boat, the drive is dead center. This lends them greater maneuverability than outboard-powered boats with motors and drive units off to one side. If you prefer to steer with a lighter touch, the higher responsivity of a sterndrive engine will allow you to relax as you navigate with precision.

That’s not to say steering an outboard boat is a great challenge. By placing the motor behind the boat's center of gravity, you can avoid the dreaded prop wash—the turbulence that occurs when you speed up, turn, or stop abruptly. You may not have the hair trigger of a sterndrive, and that’s a good thing! Outboards are eminently maneuverable at low speeds.

Which One Is More Fuel-Efficient?

Advances in boating technology mean that whatever you choose between a sterndrive and an outboard motor-powered boat, you’re not wasting energy. However, sterndrive engines consume more fuel at higher speeds, which can increase your thrills but shorten your voyage. Outboard motors are fuel-efficient at cruising speeds, which makes them practical for boaters who prefer long-distance cruising.

Which Is Easier To Maintain?

We know you don’t want the second-happiest day of your life to be the day you sell your boat. Maintenance matters, and it further separates the two motor types. Sterndrives require a regular maintenance regimen with oil changes, water pumps, and leg greasing. Maintenance on outboard motors is far quicker and easier because they are easily accessible, removable, and have fewer moving parts.

Help Me Make the Final Call!

Is boating a big part of your life? Are you looking for high speeds and thrilling watersports? If so, a sterndrive engine is right for you. Do you want a smaller, personal vessel for leisure time? Stick with an outboard.

If you want to shoot for the best of both worlds, consider a super-high-output outboard. RJ Nautical features the Yamaha V MAX SHO for sale, offering great fuel economy at high speeds for novice and serious boaters alike.