Outboard vs. Sterndrive | Salt Water Sportsman

It was a tough ­wintertime crossing of the Gulf Stream as we powered to the fabled fishing grounds of the Bahamas aboard a pair of Sōlace 41-foot center-­consoles. The 41 CS was powered by 4 Mercury 400 outboards. The 415 CS featured twin Volvo Penta D6 DPI diesel ­sterndrives. One boat made a greater time of it. 

This journey was the most recent in a string of “Outboard Versus Sterndrive” tales I’d produced over my a long time working as a boating and fishing journalist. As prior to now, we had deliberate to match, out on the water, the totally different energy selections accessible to boat patrons so {that a} better-informed buying determination may very well be made. The largest problem in producing these “versus” tales is gaining access to two of the same-model boat powered by totally different engines. In Sōlace Boats, we had an incredible widespread denominator: These 41-foot hulls are designed and constructed to the best requirements and will be had together with your alternative of gasoline outboard or diesel sterndrive energy. Giddyap!

Most of you’ll acknowledge that past propulsion kind, this story additionally compares gasoline kind. The outboard Sōlace 41 CS burned gasoline, whereas diesel fueled the sterndrive-powered 415 CS. Right here’s what we found relating to seakeeping, fishability, and possession points resembling upkeep, gasoline ­economic system, and worth.

Velocity and Acceleration

We loaded each boats to the hilt with individuals, gear, digicam tools, and provisions for per week among the many islands. The DPI-powered 415 CS hit 50.6 mph at wide-open throttle. Accelerating to 30 mph took 12.2 seconds. Every DPI turns a stainless-steel H8 Duoprop propset (Volvo Penta doesn’t reveal Duoprop prop pitch) consisting of two ­contra-rotating propellers spinning by way of a 1.69-to-1 discount. So this Volvo Penta D6 DPI diesel propulsion bundle spins 4 propellers—two inline pairs.

The outboard-powered Sōlace 41 CS hit 62.7 mph at wide-open throttle and reached 30 mph in 14.5 seconds. Every of the 4 outboards spins a 14.6-by-21-inch four-blade prop by way of a 1.75-to-1 discount. That’s 4 particular person propellers for this outboard-propulsion bundle.

“Exhilarating” describes the outboard-powered boat’s high pace, a results of extra energy and extra accessible bow trim. “Shocking” describes our preliminary response relating to the superior acceleration of the boat powered by the Volvo Penta DPI diesels. We attributed this off-the-line efficiency to the D6’s excessive torque at low rpm and the Duoprop’s capability to transmit that diesel torque to the water higher than standard props. Lastly, the lowered drag of two versus 4 gear circumstances helped. Nonetheless, if the necessity for high pace is powerful with you, then the outboards win. 

Effectivity and Vary

As a result of the ability and torque traits of gasoline and diesel engines—in addition to inboards and outboards—fluctuate, it’s useful to make effectivity comparisons utilizing boatspeed in addition to rpm.

At 25 mph, the outboard boat netted 0.53 mpg and the ­Volvo Penta boat netted 1.13 mpg. At 30 mpg, the gasoline boat netted 0.6 mpg and the diesel boat 1.28 mpg. At 40 mph, we recorded 0.63 mpg and 1.2 mpg, respectively. ­Principally, the ­diesel boat featured twice the effectivity.

Observe that the outboard-­powered 41CS carries 681 gallons of gasoline, and the 415 CS carries 457 gallons. Additionally notice that every D6 engine with a DPI drive weighs about 1,760 kilos dry, whereas every Mercury 400 Verado weighs in at 670 kilos dry. Keep in mind that an outboard’s energy ranking describes prop-shaft energy, and an inboard’s energy ranking describes crankshaft energy. Every Volvo Penta D6 DPI ­delivers 422 hp on the prop.

It grew to become obvious the ­minute we arrived at Abaco Harbor Resort that the Volvo Penta 415 CS supplied way more vary than the Verado-­powered 41CS. The 415 CS nonetheless possessed loads of gasoline after making the ­215-mile run from Palm Seaside. The gas-powered 41CS wanted to gasoline up in order to have sufficient gasoline to soundly conduct our exams over a ­couple of days. Diesel energy lends this boat some 40 ­p.c extra vary.

Seakeeping

We headed offshore from the Florida coast into the tooth of a stiff headwind that generated 4- to 6-foot seas proper on our nostril. Each Sōlace fashions dealt with the waves safely and with confidence. However our check groups agreed that the Aquamatic-powered 415 CS made simpler work of it. In contrast to its outboard-powered counterpart with the engine weight aft, the D6 diesel engines flip the DPI drives utilizing jack shafts, which permits putting in the engines ahead of the transom, underneath the cockpit sole. Transferring the middle of gravity ends in the 415 CS operating extra stage and with much less pitching. The 415 CS dealt with tough water higher.

On steadiness, we additionally found that the outboard-powered boat supplied extra bow trim for these occasions when one needs to optimize the experience for operating in a following sea or ­making an attempt to maximise pace. And the outboard-powered boat proved quieter (65 versus 68 decibels), particularly at trolling speeds, although the Volvo Penta boat was certainly not loud.

We check for minimal planing pace as a result of the flexibility to decelerate whereas retaining the maneuverability and dynamic stability supplied by planing permits for higher management and extra consolation in tough circumstances than having to gradual to trolling pace. The Volvo Penta-powered boat netted a slight edge right here, holding airplane at 15 mph versus the Mercury boat, which held airplane as gradual as 17 mph. Know that each are wonderful numbers.

Docking

Each Volvo Penta and Mercury provide joystick methods for slow-speed close-quarters operation of the boats they energy. Each methods labored nicely in gusty, tidal Bahamian winter circumstances. Do notice that as we went to press, Volvo Penta launched Assisted Docking for DPI, an up to date model of its joystick system that makes use of DPS and particular software program. I sea-trialed the system (aboard the very same 415 CS detailed on this story). The massive ­takeaway? It takes the “drift” out of joystick maneuvering and units a brand new bar in close-quarters-­maneuvering methods. 

The Mercury outboards tilt fully away from the water. Moreover, the outboards are made out of a corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy, bonded to regulate {the electrical} potential, and have a multistep coating course of referred to as MerCathode. Their profitable operation in salt water is long-proven.

“These are usually not your daddy’s marine engines,” Volvo Penta’s Arjen Steegstra states. The DPI drives are made out of a particular alloy, bonded to regulate electrical potential and fitted with sacrificial anodes. The stainless steel propsets are remoted to forestall corrosion, and a particular coating protects the drive. Moreover, an impressed present anti-corrosion system, the identical one which has protected Volvo Penta IPS for years, thwarts the ravages on water-stored boats.

The D6 diesel engines are freshwater-cooled, made out of a corrosion-resistant alloy, protected by sacrificial anodes, and specifically painted. Volvo Penta D6 diesel engines boast a protracted historical past of saltwater service.

Impact on Format

From the console ahead, each of those Sōlace boats are the identical, providing personal in a single day lodging for a pair, and a cushty head and bathe belowdecks. A big multipurpose bow cockpit ahead combines seating with stowage, and performance for fishing, anchoring and docking is nearly as good as will be discovered. Aft is the place the format modifications. With 4 outboards mounted on the transom, the cockpit of the 41CS affords an incredible 83-square-foot unobstructed cockpit. Highlights embody twin livewells within the aft corners, and an enormous transom fish field to enrich these within the aft cockpit sole and the bow house. There may be mezzanine seating atop the deal with station/leisure middle, with its stowage, sink and elective grill. There’s hideaway bench seating for 3 on the transom, and with the massive cockpit and stowage house beneath the only real—which swallowed provisions for six for per week—the 41CS boasts loads of room to stow folding chairs and beanbags. The strong transom supplies nice safety for combating a fish in tough seas. Water entry for crew or hauling aboard a giant fish is thru a beneficiant portside door. This can be a fishing cockpit. 

The Volvo Penta-powered 415 CS sports activities twin D6 diesel engines put in within the cockpit, leaving two broad walkways to a transom that’s broad open for water entry or simple dockside boarding and entertaining. The precise engine field is an opulent convertible lounge that permits friends to recline, sit going through ahead or aft, or lie fully susceptible. Unobstructed cockpit house is smaller than that aboard the 41CS—about half the dimensions between the leisure middle and the bottom of the lounge. You should add within the walkways, although, as a result of they supply one other 24 or so sq. toes of usable house on either side of the lounge; we had no hassle working rods within the aft nook’s rod holders whereas trolling. 

I’ll say that the doorways that shut off every ­walkway on the 415 CS are much less ­safe in contrast with the strong bulwark discovered aboard the 41CS. ­Excepting the transom livewells and fish field, the fishing ­accoutrements are the identical. The in-sole stowage is smaller aboard the 415 CS, however nonetheless a lot huge. Briefly, it is a multiuse cockpit optimized for entertaining and ease of water entry that may fish too.

Key Takeaways

There’s little query that the gasoline-fueled outboard engine at present ranks as the most well-liked energy alternative for big center-consoles. They run quietly and just about smoke-free. They ship excellent energy for his or her weight, together with low drag and trimmable thrust, all of which contribute to their nice effectivity. 

That mentioned, I not solely fished the Volvo Penta D6 DPI diesel-­powered Sōlace within the ­Bahamas, but in addition fished it throughout one other multiday journey to the boisterous waters of Nantucket Shoals, Massachusetts. (We completely slammed the striped bass!) From these experiences, I can say that diesel sterndrive energy is an possibility that offshore anglers in search of extra vary and improved seakeeping ought to critically take into account.

A Story of Two CCs: Sōlace 41CS and 415 CS

Sōlace is an organization based on open-minded adoption of recent supplies and processes, lots of which have set new trade benchmarks. That is tempered by a long time of expertise in fiberglass boatbuilding, what the corporate calls “The Dougherty Distinction,” a reference to the present -president, Stephen Dougherty, and his late father, Bob Dougherty. Briefly, a Dougherty has helmed 4 totally different award-winning and iconic boat corporations.

With the 41CS and the 415 CS, all of that creativeness, imaginative and prescient, expertise and experience is wrought in molded fiberglass. These boats experience a twin-stepped hull that now we have skilled to be seakindly, environment friendly, enjoyable to run, and free from quirks—from New England to South Florida and past.

LOA: 44’3″

Beam: 12’3″

Transom Deadrise: 22 levels