Opinion on FWC inboards for saltwater use?

The only thing the FWC engines help it the engine block and the trannie cooler if you have Vee drive. Other then that, there is no difference. Had own many inboard boats over the years. Heck, got a 30' twin inboard sitting in my yard that I been trying to donate. They all say it's to big on a boat for them to deal with. Both engines and trainnes has less then 100 hours on them and are FWC.

Running a inboard engine boat is no big deal. One just needs to know what is what and the biggest thing of airing out the hull each time before starting it at the beginning of the day. Also, one has to make sure the right parts are used on the engine. Auto parts are a BIG BIG no no like the starter and alternator. There are flash suppressors on them and the carburetor.

Of course there are bilge air blowers that you run for X amount of time before starting too!

Hard to beat the sound of a gas inboard. Your exhaust manifold will still be salt water cooled but the water running in the block will be freshwater. Those shamrocks weren’t speed demons but rode nice as all the weight is down low where it should be

Big plus Is that any decent auto mechanic can work on them plus much of the maintenance can be done yourself. New V8 block much cheaper than any large outboard as well. Biggest con will be draft if a straight shaft. Now if an onboard outboard set up draft will be same as an outboard since you can trim the foot.

A twin screw straight onboard is one of the easiest vessels to dock. You can pull in and parallel park without touching the steering wheel

I really want it but all my boating friends are trying to talk me out of it- they say a keel driven onboard with 1 propeller is too much of a pita to maneuver

It is but done let that stop you. I'm a huge fan of inboards.

My dad has a 25Ft Shamrock Open. He just put a new 5.7 crusador in it. runs great. the FWC does help out alot. I believe the risers are the only thing that contacts salt water. So those need to be changed every 5 or so years.

The new motors with direct fuel injection eliminate a lot of the fuel vapor hazards as well.

Its not a boat for everyone. it has a cruise speed of 26-27 mph. It has no maneuverablily in reverse. and no motor(prop) trim

But it is very spacious, great fuel economy, and tons of power.
We take it out 40-50 miles in the gulf to fish Mangroves and snapper a few times a year

Here is us hooked up to a tuna in Venice.

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30 foot what kinda boat???

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Wellcraft 2900 Sportsbridge. Take a 1k donation to AHA. You will need a trailer. Boat is 30'x11' wide. It is one that you keep in the water. This is a big boat 10K+lbs.

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It has no maneuverablily in reverse. and no motor(prop) trim

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A wide set of transom trim tabs works wonders for backing down on a fish. Been there, done that.