An outboard engine, typically affixed to the exterior of a vessel's hull, is commonly positioned outside the stern board. Due to their high integration and simple installation, outboard engines are widely used in the fishing, commercial operations, and entertainment industries. Outboard motors can be categorized into conventional fuel outboard motors and electric outboard motors by their energy sources. The working principle of the fuel-based outboard motor is to convert the chemical energy of the fuel into mechanical energy through the internal combustion engine, then convert it into kinetic energy to push the boat forward through mechanical transmission and propellers. Electric outboard motors use recyclable batteries as energy sources and convert electrical energy into kinetic energy through the electric motor.

Currently, the mainstream fuel for traditional fuel-powered outboard engines is gasoline. Gasoline outboard motors have a wide range of uses, mature technology, and a wide power range. In terms of combustion technology, it can be divided into two-stroke, four-stroke, and jet drives.

Two-stroke engines’ acceleration is fast because it takes one power stroke for each crankshaft revolution. The internal structures are simpler with lighter weight and smaller size, but they produce a lot of emissions and are not environmentally friendly, which makes two-stroke outboards forbidden to be sold in some countries with high emission requirements. Four-stroke engines are relatively more environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient with lower emissions, but the acceleration is worse than four-stroke ones since it takes two revolutions of the crankshaft to do one work. Owing to their more complex structures with more parts and valves, four-stroke outboards result in higher maintenance costs.

Electric outboard motors are trendy products on the market. More boaters have started trying electric outboards for their characteristics of zero emissions, low noise, high efficiency, and low maintenance costs. As the market share of electric cars is increasing, the market for electric outboards is also growing when people place great emphasis on environmental protection. If you want to have a quieter and cleaner boating experience without noise and exhaust gas, electric models would be an excellent choice for you.

The primary benefits of outboard engines encompass superior maneuverability, portability, and simplified maintenance. It is imperative, however, to emphasize that vessels employing outboard motors must adhere to specific safety precautions, including the presence of personal life-saving equipment and maintaining a secure safety distance. In essence, outboard motors constitute an indispensable component of contemporary maritime activities, playing a crucial and integral role in the operation and advancement of ships.