Pod drive vs Direct drive in waters with log hazards

[Adrifting]

I'm looking at purchasing a boat that will primarily be used in the Pacific NW where logs are an unfortunate reality. Does anyone have any advice on whether a direct drive or a pod drive would be the better choice in such waters?

[tkeithlu]

Down here in Florida we just hit shipping containers and cruise ships, and an occasional 5x350 HP outboard sport fisherman. It's called defensive driving.

How fast are you going?

One way to look at it is that a log, and particularly a log on end, can take out either one. That's the economics view, where you lose a whole bunch more when said log meets your pod than when it meets your prop.

Any chance of the intermediate state, a protected prop, either by a full keel or by a cage? My full keel protects both the prop and the rudder. I've tested it many times.

I don't really have your specific (Pacific?) problem, so let's wait for someone closer to you to respond, but I guess that If I were there, I'd protect my prop as well as possible and carry a spare rather than risking all on a pod.