I am going to guess that if you have two boats with the same hull, and one is a sterndrive, and the other an outboard, that the sterndrive will have the better ride in the rough stuff. My reasoning is the sterndrive package weighs more, and the center of gravity is a bit more forward.

I know there are a number of boats built with both types of power, so perhaps some of you have first hand experience. I'll leave it to the experts here to chime in. Just be sure to tell us why you think one would be better than the other for ride.

Michael

Michael, weight always helps smooth out the ride in the rough, however, outboard boats have alot more flexibility in setup. With outboards you can easily change setback, they are lighter, and you can adjust the motor height on the fly if using jackplates. Bury the motors deep for rough water running and raise them high for flat water speed...

On the race course I/O boats tend to do better in rough water. Better balance, more weight, and usually more power.
That being said outboard boats usually turn excellent.

No comparison at all. I/O is much better. I have owned a 32 Skater with twin big blocks and sixes that could handle Lake Michigan better than a 35 Motion with triple outboards. Before anyone says it is the hull the Motion is a 32 splashed hull made longer and a little wider. I love outboard boats on inland lakes but rough water they are handful. The race boats in cat light with outboards do very well in rough but they are out of the water as much as they are in the water. Those racers have a lot of skill and my admiration.

Thanks for the feedback, guys! Great information.

Michael

I have two neighbors with 26 Sutphen's. One was twin 350 Mags/Alpha's. (since repowered with 383's) The other twin 200 Mercury outboards on Gil brackets. They both ran 69 mph but the OB boat seemed to handle better, it rides high and back on the last couple feet of the V. The stern drive boat is a chine walker.

Great apples to apples comparison. Thanks!

Michael