Choosing The Right Engine
Choosing The Right Engine

Choosing The Engine (or Propulsion System) For Yourboat Is Very Important. Both The Weight And Thehorsepower Will Have A Major Impact On The Performanceof Your Boat. If You Have A Boat That's Underpowered, The Engine Will Work Twice As Hard, Giving You Poorperformance. Now, We Will Take A Look At The Motors Availablefor Boats And Vessels:Outboard MotorAn Outboard Motor Is Very Popular And Very Useful Onsmall Boats. These Motors Are Very Light, Powerful,and Extremely Quiet. Normally Mounted On The Transomof A Boat, There Are Boats Available That Offer A Motor Well Or Even A Bracket To Mount The Motor To.The Entire Motor Will Swivel About, Providing Easysteering As The Turning Propeller Pushes The Sternabout. Outboard Motors Come In Many Different Sizesand The Horsepower Can Use Different Types Of Fuel.Stern DriveThese Motors Are Also Known As IO Engines, And Normally Heavier Than Outboard Motors. Consistingof An Engine Mounted Inboard And A Lower Unit Attached To The Transom, These Motors Offer Powerand Versitility. You Can Also Tilt The Motor Up And Down To Help Provide Boat Trim While You Cruise.InboardsOn Boats That Are Over 26 Feet In Length, These Motors Are Very Popular. Similiar To The Stern Drivemotor, The Inboard Motor Is Mounted Inside The Boattowards The Center, Giving You Good Weight Proportion.Inboards Connect Directly To The Transmission, Thenon Through The Hull Of The Boat. Then, The Shaft Is Attached To A Propeller Which Will Turn And Propel The Boat. The Shaft Is Fixed And Doesn'tswivel Around. Therefore, A Rudder Is Mounted Behind The Shaft And Propeller To Help Deflect Theflow Of Water Which Provides Your Steering Direction.Jet DriveJet Drive Propulsion Systems Have A Big Advantage -no Propeller To Cause Damage Or Injury To Those Inthe Water, Including Marine Life. Normally, They Are Inboard Engines That Will Take In Water That Flows Through A Pump, Powered By An Impeller.Then, The Water Is Discharged At A Very High Pressurethrough A Nozzle That Will Propel The Boat. To Provide Steering For The Boat, The Nozzle Will Swivel. For Personal Watercraft, A Jet Drive Is The Way To Go.Keep In Mind That When Power Isn't Being Applied, Jet Driven Boats Will Lose Steering, As The Stream Of Water That Propels The Boat Won't Be There. Therefore, Always Keep Any Part Of Your Body Awayfrom The Pump Intake - And Never Operate These Typesof Boats In Shallow Water.(word Count 427)PPPPP