I/O vs outboard

[morrisy18]

I am looking at buying a boat soon and it is coming down to a boat the has a 1993 3.0L I/O and another boat with a 1993 140hp Johnson outboard. I am not sure what brand engine the I/O is. But I was wondering is one better than the other? Is one easier to service than the other? Also what do you have to have serviced routinely on either and what are the approximate costs to service? Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Mike<br />Phoenix, AZ

 

[ken thrussell]

Re: I/O vs outboard

well number one is an inboard is pretty much like owning another car, my feelings are they are more reliable and quieter and gas consumption is a lot better then an outboard, more work winterizing but the parts are alot cheaper compared to an outboard , I have rebuilt some 200hp mercs outboards in the past and could have bought a rebuilt long block a lot cheaper for an inboard.

 

[morrisy18]

Re: I/O vs outboard

Ken thanks for your input. The I/O seemed alot more like a car to me also that is what I am leaning towards.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Mike

 

[wvit100]

Re: I/O vs outboard

My boat with a 350 inboard uses about the same or maybe a little less gas that the one I have with a 125 outboard.

 

[wvit100]

Re: I/O vs outboard

And the inboard is a lot more pleasant to ride around in, you can actually talk to the passenger over the motor noise while underway.

 

[JB]

Re: I/O vs outboard

If you had posted this in the General Outboard forum you would be getting the other side, Mike.<br /><br />Like asking a Chebby dealer about the Ford vs. Chebby debate.<br /><br />I prefer an outboard. More room in the boat, lighter, easier to replace, easier to service.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: I/O vs outboard

Morrisy18 I currently own a 1977 Merc 150 Outboard and a 1988 Mercruiser 4.LX sterndrive. I have peviously posted a long discussion on the merits/drawbacks of both. The readers digest version is:<br /><br />Outboards use more fuel, are a bit noisier, and have more power per pound. They also need much less periodic maintenance and spare parts.<br /><br />Sterndrives are quieter, idle much better, usually have better low-end power and less top end. Sterndrives need engine waterpump, alternator and starter replacements much more often than outboards, as well as normal replacement items(bellows, manifolds, risers, ujoints). I estimate that it costs $300 more per year to maintain (not fix) a sterndrive versus an outboard, du to the replacement intervals required for manifolds, risers, ujoints and bellows. Will the outboard cost you more or less than $300 in extra fuel and oil? Also, not all boats are large enough for sterndrive power. You really need at least a 19 footer with its size and displacement for a sterndrive to make sense.

 

[DJ]

Re: I/O vs outboard

Here's the other side as I posted in General Outboard.<br /><br /><br />Mike,<br /><br />I am also in Phoenix. This is an I/O market.<br /><br />With that said, the decision would be, for me, the outboard.<br /><br />The performance comparison between a 140 hp. outboard and a 135 hp inboard is not much of one. The outboard will outperform the I/O in every catagory. A better comparison would be a V-6 (4.3L) I/O to the 140 outboard.<br /><br />The outboard, I am assuming it's a four stroke, will also have a much greater resale value than a base model I/O would. <br /><br />In my opinion, the outboard is also easier to maintain, has better shallow water ability and is lighter.<br /><br />As I mentioned. I believe we are talking about a four stroke outboard. If that is the case, the fuel economy and noise issues go out the window.

 

[dmorley]

Re: I/O vs outboard

Mike,<br />I've owned both I/O and outboard and what everybody says is true. However, an I/O with fresh water cooling has antifreeze in the block and manifolds and risers don't need replacing very often if run in fresh water. Also, some outboards are made for salt water running and others are not. An I/O can be converted to FWC for salt water use for about $500.00. Yes, you live in Arizon, but when I bought my boat in Colorado I had no idea that I would be fishing salt water every summer.<br />Don

 

[POINTER94]

Re: I/O vs outboard

Mike,<br /><br />My perspective is a little different than the above posts. I/O allows you to put on a full swimm platform, with is great if you do watersports or just like to take a swim and the like. An idleing I/O will allow you to speak at near normal levels with people and not necessarily smoke you out. (4 stroke excluded) I also felt that at slow speeds the I/O handles better.<br /><br />If you like to run to places and run there fast, the outboard is far more ejoyable in terms of handling, shallow water access, ability to set up to a specific boat and much easier to work on. My Merc 150 on the 17.5ft is just a little rocketship, the I/O on the 25ft is much better for entertaining and getting into and out of. (Full swim platform makes the boat feel bigger.) Fun at the anchorages. What you want to do and who you are going with might also make a difference in addition to the performance info listed above.<br /><br />Just my opinion