Buy the drive, not just the boat
How a boat is driven determines most of what you will spend on it. In a permanent saltwater slip the ranking is not close.
- Straight shaft — simplest underwater gear; cutlass, packing, alignment
- Outboard — tilts clear of the water, easiest to service and repower
- Saildrive — excellent until the diaphragm interval comes due
- Pod drive — best handling, mandatory dealer intervals and seal work
- Sterndrive — the most maintenance-intensive choice for a wet slip in salt
Set your usage below and compare the real multi-year numbers.