When picking a propulsion system for your boat, it is important that you choose the correct one, as the engine's weight and horse power will impact the boat's performance.
A boat that is underpowered will have to work twice as hard and will perform poorly.
Several motors are available for different types of vessels.
Outboard Motor Outboard motors are extremely popular.
Although they come in many sizes, they are particularly favored by owners of small watercraft.
Light, powerful and extremely quiet, they normally mount on the boat's transom.
Some models also provide a motor well or a bracket to mount the motor on.
Outboard motors are very easy to steer.
The entire motor swivels about, as the propeller pushes the stern around.
Different types require different fuels.
Stern-Drive Motors Stern-drive motors, also known as I/O engines, are normally heavier than outboard motors.
These engines are powerful and versatile.
They are mounted inboard, with a lower unit attached to the transom.
As you cruise, you can tilt the motor up and down to keep the boat trim.
Inboard Motors Inboard motors are most popular for boats that are over 26 feet in length.
Like the stern drive motor, inboard motors are mounted inside the boat.
They are positioned, however, toward the center, providing good weight distribution.
Inboards are directly connected to the transmission and then through the hull of the boat.
The shaft is attached to a propeller, which allows boaters to turn the boat as well as move it forward.
The inboard's shaft is fixed; it does not swivel.
Instead a rudder, which is mounted behind the shaft and the propeller, deflects the flow of water, allowing you to steer.
Jet drive Jet drive propulsion systems are perfect for personal watercraft.
They are the safest and most environmentally safe type of motor.
Unlike the others, they have no propeller to cause injury, either to persons in the water or to marine life.
Most jet drive systems are attached inboard.
They take in water, which passes through a pump that's powered by an impeller.
The water is then emitted at extremely high pressure through a nozzle, and that force pushes the boat forward.
To allow steerage, the nozzle swivels.
When power is not applied and the stream of water that propels the boat isn't there, jet-driven boats lose power.
For this reason, you must keep objects-and your body-away from the pump intake.
Boaters should never operate a jet driven boat in shallow water.