Beneath the Surface

from July 2020

Classic Craft

Sterndrive Life I/O boats command serious attention in the Great Lakes.

Let’s be honest. We’ve been talking about outboards for quite awhile now, and we’ve gotten swept up in the excitement as manufacturers add more outboard-powered models to their lineups. “Hashtag, trending,” as the kids would say.

I spent much of my Midwestern childhood in the ’70s and ’80s playing aboard (and behind) outboard-powered boats, so I understand the appeal. However, I also made countless precious memories on sterndrive cruisers, and that got me wondering: Are these former family favorites destined to go gentle into that good night, or do they still have an important place in our boating lives?

Why go I/O? Sterndrive is another name for inboard-outboard (I/O) drive. The inboard engine sits just forward of the boat’s transom, while the drive unit lies outside the hull. When I was growing up, it was largely a given that a midsize family cruiser would have I/O power.

When the outboard craze hit, the boating world was abuzz with the benefits of outboard power on those same midsize cruisers. We stopped talking about the benefits of sterndrives but, according to industry insiders, those benefits never went away.

“Sterndrives don’t take up your swim platform, and people like that,” says Kyle Stenzel, president of Spring Brook Marina. This family-owned company, founded in 1961 in the Illinois River town of Seneca, Illinois, now has additional locations in Chicago, St. Louis and the boating meccas of Door County, Wisconsin; Catawba Island, Ohio; and Traverse City, Michigan. Two of its brands, Jeanneau and Pardo yachts, offer sterndrive models.

“For boats less than 30 feet in length, outboards have distinct advantages,” Stenzel says. “But for 30- to 45-foot cruisers, sterndrives are viable options. They provide fuel efficiency, shallow draft and even joystick operation; but, to be honest, it’s also a stylistic thing.”

A sterndrive requires a bilge compartment that the boat’s layout must accommodate. That same boat will, however, be able to offer an expansive, integrated swim platform and sleek, clean aesthetics. Best of all, one of sterndrive power’s drawbacks doesn’t exist in the freshwater world of the Great Lakes — it all comes down to one word.

“We don’t have corrosion, which is a big worry in salt water,” says Paul Vanderdonck, sales manager for Colony Marine. This family-owned, southeast Michigan dealership is more than 60 years old, and it has locations in St. Clair Shores, Algonac and Pontiac. “Without an outboard taking up the aft end, you can open up the boat’s most valuable real estate — the swim platform. Manufacturers like Sea Ray and Cobalt are really innovating in that space. Sea Ray, for example, has hydraulic and manual swim steps to make it easier for kids and pets to get in and out of the water. It’s wide open, and you have plenty of room for lounging. You can even put out chairs.”

Are you a sterndrive customer? If you’re not sure if a sterndrive boat is the right choice for your family, the most important question you need to ask is, “How do I plan to use my boat?” According to Vanderdonck and Stenzel, it all comes down to individual preferences for intended use.

In southeast Michigan, Colony Marine’s sportboat buyers overwhelmingly prefer sterndrives — to the tune of 9 out of 10. “Experienced boaters know that sterndrive power isn’t a problem here thanks to our freshwater environment, so they also understand it’s a design choice,” Vanderdonck says. “When it comes to midsize cruisers, fewer owners in that size range want long-distance travel. They want day use. So, in the mid-30s category, we’re now seeing ‘hybrid’ boats become very popular.” These hybrid models have a large, usable bow, an open and seamless swim

platform and a cabin with galley and head. They can sleep four comfortably without sacrificing deck space, fore or aft, and that has huge appeal for today’s boat buyers.

Stenzel agrees, noting that buyers are seeking to maximize the use of their boats. They want a great dayboat for entertaining that also can accommodate their family for an overnight stay, if necessary. Versatility is the name of the game.

“We make sure to ask clear and concise questions, especially with our newer boaters,” Stenzel says. “We want to understand how much free time you have, and if you’re interested in longer cruises or day boating so we can help you find the right boat.”

One of those misconceptions involves maintenance schedules. Sterndrives do require a

bit more maintenance but, as Stenzel observes, it’s not nearly as drastic as people think.

“People also think an outboard is easier to work on but that’s not true,” Vanderdonck adds. “It’s easier to remove but that’s about it. A handy person with traditional mechanic’s skills can work on a sterndrive; it’s like an auto motor. And it’ll last for a long time.”

Sounds like the sterndrive boat will be with us for the long haul, after all. ★

HEATHER STEINBERGER is an award-winning writer/ editor who has specialized in boating, travel and outdoor adventure for more than 20 years. Visit her website at