Why do outboard boat engines only give power in horsepower but never tell torque numbers like car engine specs do?

Question

Why do outboard boat engines only give power in horsepower but never tell torque numbers like car engine specs do?

In: Engineering

Answer 1

They often do, but it’s less relevant due to the medium in which they work and the way their propulsion works. There is no direct parallel between the performance of a car and a boat, and in most cases for speedboats and power craft they’re after speed and there the horsepower is more relevant. However in more heavy duty applications it’s usually the torque that’s front and center on the pamphlet. Torque is more relevant for heavy boats that carry heavy loads but horsepower is more relevant for light boats that are aimed towards speed.