I/O (Sterndrive) Conversion to Outboards

[tpenfield]

But if you buy outboards we won't have the continuation of this thread. I can see it easily reaching 100 pages on a refit....

This thread is appropriately titled as such . . . so it could certainly be continued

Here is my quick cost estimate on a sell (338 I/O) then buy (338 OB) option . . .
Sell 338 I/O - $110,000
Buy 338 OB $249,000
Sales Tax $15,500
Travel/Transport $10,000
(as needed)
Fix-its/Upgrades $5,000
_______________________________
Net cost $169,500

The outboard conversion would be around 1/2 that cost.

 

[tpenfield]

Once I hit a 'commit-point' on the conversion, I may start a new thread for clarity.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Ted, the 338 I/O's selling down here are a bit higher than $110K. closer to $170K. However if you still go thru the conversion, Im still going to read the threads..... LOL

 

[Lou C]

I would sell and buy what you want….i just think there are too many unknowns that will take too long to resolve…I’d choose the biggest boat I could get with a 300 hp outboard & go with that….

 

[Scott06]

This thread is appropriately titled as such . . . so it could certainly be continued

Here is my quick cost estimate on a sell (338 I/O) then buy (338 OB) option . . .
Sell 338 I/O - $110,000
Buy 338 OB $249,000
Sales Tax $15,500
Travel/Transport $10,000
(as needed)
Fix-its/Upgrades $5,000
_______________________________
Net cost $169,500

The outboard conversion would be around 1/2 that cost.

What's the break down on the conversion? I would have expected more $$

 

[tpenfield]

What's the break down on the conversion? I would have expected more $$

I don't have pricing on OB's yet (working on that), but my estimates are in the $85K range after fire-saleing the I/O's and doing the hull extension myself.

Ted, the 338 I/O's selling down here are a bit higher than $110K. closer to $170K. However if you still go thru the conversion, Im still going to read the threads..... LOL

You are one of my dedicated followers.

I am thinking that difference between asking price and selling price is going to be an issue. I have seen the 328/338's sit on the market when priced in the $170K range. In order to make the boat move, it would probably need to be at a low-end price. On the other hand, the OB's are more desirable and probably would command the prices that are showing.

 

[Scott Danforth]

On the other hand, the OB's are more desirable and probably would command the prices that are showing.

I know the engineers that developed the Merc OB's (some used to work for me at one time) I will stick with I/O's

 

[redneck joe]

Once I hit a 'commit-point' on the conversion, I may start a new thread for clarity.

Nooooooo!!!!!!

 

[redneck joe]

Just find and rebuild four black max 150s and call it a day.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Hey Ted, could always add superchargers to the 6.2's and switch to surface drives......

here is the Arneson Bravo conversion page.

Bravo Conversion | Arneson Industries

arneson-industries.com

 

[tpenfield]

As far as outboard brands . . .

Mercury?
Yamaha?
Suzuki?

Which would you choose and why?

 

[alldodge]

Merc
Easier to find someone that does work on them
Verado has good track record
Tariff cost should be less

 

[redneck joe]

I would guess most current inventory of all motors will be tarrif free. Outboards are notoriously slow velocity product so besides current inventory i would imagine they were part of the the Q1 and most of Q2 push to import before the tarrifs kicked in. If they did tell you they needed to add a tarrif fee I would be highly suspect.

Just my .05 cents worth of opinion from being put out to pasture early from a fortune 5 company in global supply chain. They didn't like people telling them the king had no clothes.

 

[Lou C]

Here it seems that the most easily serviced brands are Yamaha, Merc & Suzuki

 

[tpenfield]

Quick Update . . .
The Admiral and I discussed the $$,$$$ for the outboard conversion. She is OK with it, given the alternative cost of a sell/buy approach.

I am doing a little bit of materials research. . . If I build a hull extension/bracket out of fiberglass, I'd use fiberglass over foam core construction. Thoughts on core material?

• Coosa Board?
• Divinycell?
• Maybe a combination of the 2?

There is a Coosa board supplier on Cape Cod, I may have to go a bit further for Divinycell.

 

[Pmt133]

Higher density coosa. The divinycell is nice but not nearly as strong for that application imo.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Nida core? not sure you need the higher density if you have a thick enough core. in bending, its the outer fibers doing the load.

could go carbon / fiberglass mix as well.

remember, your current boat has at least 3/8" (closer to 1/2") of fiberglass for the hull. fiberglass may be heavier than you want.

 

[redneck joe]

Why not aluminum?