Lou C
Supreme Mariner
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2002
- Messages
- 13,530
I can just imagine the conversations of people putting these together in Fond-Du-Lac, laughing to themselves at the poor guys who actually have to work on them....
The only I/O boat I'll ever have are the older, simpler kind, with wide open engine compartments, carb fuel systems, etc. I look at that and as nice as they work (when new) it makes my brain hurt lol. Changing a starter? A steering actuator? The engines are getting pulled then. In fact I convinced my brother to trade his 2020 Chapparal with the Merc 4.5 for a brand new Chap with a Yamaha 4 stroke outboard...before the headaches started. One bout of mild overheating due to marine growth in the water intakes (that I told him would happen unless they are rodded out) was enough for him.
You're on the right track Ted and you'll wind up with a unique boat, probably the ultimate for your boating area....as for me being the skinflint that I am, and admirer of simplicity, I'll stick with this.....

The only I/O boat I'll ever have are the older, simpler kind, with wide open engine compartments, carb fuel systems, etc. I look at that and as nice as they work (when new) it makes my brain hurt lol. Changing a starter? A steering actuator? The engines are getting pulled then. In fact I convinced my brother to trade his 2020 Chapparal with the Merc 4.5 for a brand new Chap with a Yamaha 4 stroke outboard...before the headaches started. One bout of mild overheating due to marine growth in the water intakes (that I told him would happen unless they are rodded out) was enough for him.
You're on the right track Ted and you'll wind up with a unique boat, probably the ultimate for your boating area....as for me being the skinflint that I am, and admirer of simplicity, I'll stick with this.....
