MErcury I/O or OB

[tgpfloat]

went to a Boat show this weekend and was comparing two boats
an 18 footer with a OB and a 19 with an I/O.

The 19 seemed like so much more boat (Beam).

The price of the 19 was only $2000 more.
The 19 had better electronics also.

Being new to boating what are the advantages/disadvantages to an OB compared to an I/O.

I would most likely be a trailering type of boater.

Thanks

 

[SuperNova]

Re: MErcury I/O or OB

I guess it all depends on your personal preferences and where you intend on boating. If you ever boat in shallow water, the O/B will be an advantage. I personally prefer an outboard on anything under 20' or so. I've had both and swore I would never own another under 20' I/O boat again. I know others will argue it with me, so I guess it's a matter of opinion. I have been boating on the Chesapeake Bay for 30-some odd years and the least problematic boats we ever owned were outboard powered--this is after owning 20-some boats from 12 foot dingies to 50 foot wooden Chris-Craft motoryachts. We've had inboard powered ski-boats, high performance jet boats, various runabouts and fishing boats, etc. My big boat currently is a 28' Wellcraft Nova with twin I/O's and my two little boats are both outboard powered. I sold my last small I/O boat two years ago and have been very happy since.

I/O's have a lot more systems and components to deal with and winterize, they take up more space inside the boat, they weigh more overall and they have a deeper draft. If the boat sits in the water you usually can't tilt the outdrive all the way out of the water like you can with an O/B. On a small boat, it is difficult to offset all the weight in the stern of an I/O boat, and this can cause excessive bow rise and difficulty planing off with a load in the boat. An I/O has to turn the torque 90 degrees twice before it gets to the prop and this decreases efficiency requiring a higher power I/O to do the same job a smaller hp(and lighter) outboard could do. If you decide you need more power or want more power, an outboard is easier to upgrade. A two stroke outboard does have the additional cost of oil added to the fuel.
--
Stan

 

[Chris1956]

Re: MErcury I/O or OB

I agree with Supernova. I have had an 18' I/O and it was low in the water and cramped compared to a OB model. A V6 I/O will weigh 1100 pounds or so, while a V6 OB (equlvalent power) will weigh 400 pounds or so. An advantage when trailering or launching.

Also, I estimate an I/O will cost $300 more in maintenance a year than an outboard. (This is for parts only, no labor charges.) However, an outboard will use 50% more fuel + oil, which at today's prices. closes the gap, especially if you boat a lot.

Finally, there are a lot of parts on an I/O that are stamped steel. These corrode easily in a salt water environment, and are hard to replace and costly. In addition, an outboard is much easier to winterize.

 

[KCook]

Re: MErcury I/O or OB

I would be as concerned with the differences in the boats as the motors. Just what model boats were these?

Kelly

 

[scoutabout]

Re: MErcury I/O or OB

Good comments so far. I'd add for what it's worth that I/Os are generally quieter than outboards, unless the I/O has a thru hull exhaust.

I spent the last ten years with an I/O and am now on my first 4 stroke outboard which I'm really enjoying. I don't miss the extra work winterizing an I/O, nor the added cost of maintaining the outdrive. I do, however, miss the power steering a lot!

 

[tgpfloat]

Re: MErcury I/O or OB

I would be as concerned with the differences in the boats as the motors. Just what model boats were these?

Kelly

A trophy 1802 with a Mercury 115 4 stroke OB and a Trophy 1952 with a 135hp mercruiser

 

[KCook]

Re: MErcury I/O or OB

Wut scoutabout said. BOTH will benefit from steering assist. Do both have it? If not, can you still get this option added, or is it too late?

Kelly

 

[januarysails]

Re: MErcury I/O or OB

I have had both. Funny I never thought about how hard it was to keep the bow down. The steel and rust were a nightmare. The OB I have now is older than my IOs but needs less work to keep things right. The only drawback I have noticed is like the others have said, the noise.

 

[Jerico]

Re: MErcury I/O or OB

I have an I/O and an OB and would have to agree with what has already been stated. The OB is noisier and uses more gas. The I/O is quieter and requires more maintenance. Basically it comes down to personal preference and what you're doing. We use the OB for the wife and I to go fishing, and use the I/O for cruising and playing.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: MErcury I/O or OB

If you intend to do any work on either of these boats yourself you will quickly learn that you spend a great deal of time on your belly working on an I/O. It also helps if you have universal joints in your fingers and x-ray vision because you can only "feel" for certain bolts and bits rather than actually "seeing" them. If you don't do any work yourself then think about the technician that does it for you. He/she needs to work under the same conditions and that costs money. You can stand along side an I/O and that costs money. The engine in an I/O takes up a lot of space. An outboard hangs on the back of the boat and is much lighter than an I/O. An outboard of the same horsepower will tend to be considerably faster than an I/O so for the same size boat, you need less power. With a lighter boat you need less tow vehicle power. Having had both, as mentioned previously, for under 20 foot boats an outboard is my choice. Down the road if you hate the engine but love the boat, you can trade in the engine on whatever you want and keep the boat. If you love the engine and hate the boat you can keep the engine and buy a new boat to hang it on. With an I/O you are stuck either way.