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Sport Bowriders, Fishing-ready Runabouts & Family Deck Boats
Tie on a tube. Toss out a lure. Take a cruise. TAHOE® fiberglass runabouts and deck boats help families escape to their own personal oasis for the ultimate playtime.
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Power Options
Sterndrives Vs. Outboards
TAHOE® boats come factory rigged with either a Mercury® outboard or MerCruiser® sterndrive engine, depending on the model.
Whichever you choose, both engine styles pair perfectly with our exclusive POWERGLIDE® hull found on every model.
Which motor is right for you?
To start, you need to know the difference between the styles. A sterndrive, also known as an inboard/outboard or I/O, uses a marine-adapted automotive engine mounted inside the hull near the transom. It drives a mechanism that looks and operates similar to the lower unit and steering operation of an outboard. Because the drive unit projects from the stern, it's called a sterndrive. Since the sterndrive combines the components of an inboard-type engine with an outboard-type drive, it is also called an inboard/outboard or I/O.
An outboard is a specialized marine engine that uses components designed for marine use only. It is attached to the boat's transom and turns to provide steering.
Sterndrives
On a sterndrive boat, the inboard engine is enclosed entirely within the hull. This gives the boat a sleeker, cleaner look above the water line, though interior storage capacity is reduced. This setup also allows unobstructed views to the rear, and the swim platform can run the full width of the boat. With its heavier engine mounted right inside the transom, sterndrives can be somewhat slower to get up on plane but are usually more fuel efficient.
For watersports, sterndrives tend to produce bigger wakes and a lot of low-end torque. Sterndrives also offer the familiarity and lower parts prices of an automotive-style engine but can be a little harder to access inside the boat. Since the freshwater cooling system is also automotive based, the engine block and manifolds must be drained before winter. In an effort to make this job easier, MerCruiser® installs an easy drain on many engines that helps get the water out.
Outboards
An outboard has a higher power-to-weight ratio—it's lighter than a sterndrive of similar performance capability. If you have a smaller tow vehicle, you can "pack more power" with an outboard. Outboards offer quicker acceleration and higher top speeds than similarly powered sterndrives, but fuel economy may not be as good. Since the engine is mounted outside the boat on the transom, interior room is unobstructed. However, there's usually only room for smaller swim platforms on both sides of the engine.
Since all parts of an outboard system are designed for marine use and can be easily flushed, they are generally more corrosion resistant than inboard engines, and, therefore, more suited for saltwater use. And, because there is no closed cooling system, an outboard can be used throughout the cold weather months without the cost and inconvenience of winterizing or the danger of freezing.
Now that you know the basics, consult with your dealer to find what type of power best suits your needs. Whichever direction you choose, you're in for plenty of high-powered on-the-water fun!
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