Well I have had a pile of boats. I think the V-Drive is by far the best boat I have ever owned. I think if you took two of the same exact boats and ran them one being v-drive and one stern. The V-Drive would be faster. Maybe im wrong but I don't think so. As far as cost to repair thats not worth even talking about. Those stern drives can cost a pile of cash to fix. I have rebuilt two Casales my self and they both work perfect. Try that with a stern drive. Um where did all those little things come from???? I think in looking at the over all picture a V-Drive makes way more sense.