Inboard or outboard?

Looking to purchase my first family boat in the next couple of months and this question has been my sticking point. I estimate a 60/40 split between lake (60) and puget sound (40) for use and mostly used for family leisure like water sports and cruising. Salt water use, fuel economy and ease of maintenance all considered, I lean a bit for an outboard. What do you think...pros and cons of both?

First choice of boat right now would be a Robalo R227

 

Yamaha outboard. Definitely. I rent my shop from a company that sells and services most brands of outboards. Yamaha are by far their recommendation

 

inboards are a lot louder...can get a nice Merc outboard and they are great!

 

Yammy...my first choice of an OB for sure. My FX waverunner hasn't ever let me down! It's been kind of tight pickings here locally in finding a used solid outboard, dual console, with a hull to handle mix of puget sound and lake. Lot's of choices for inboard and lake boats.

 

Outboard for sure if you're concern is ease of maintenance, especially if you need to remove it and bring it into a garage to work on. I have a Merc and so far it's been great but only has 25 hrs on it. I've heard that you can't go wrong with Yamaha or Honda outboards.

 

I would say out board. My choice would be Merc. But I just say Merc because I work there.

 

Salt water? Outboard. Once the water sports bug hits you, grab a saltwater series Mastercraft and enjoy.

 

Outboard, outboard, outboard. I live near you and tooling around the sound with an inboard causes them to be maintenance bitches.

 

Outboard

 

Living in the state with the 3rd most registered watercraft in the US, and #2 that has both salt/fresh usage, I vote outboard

(Cali #1, Mich #2, Fl #3)

Inboards are nice for many things. Other than servicing and operating costs.