In board Motor VS Outboard motor

[bleo641]

OK guys, I need some advice. I have called several mechanics in my local area and no one will return my call. I am in the market for a boat and have one in mind. (oh yeah I am a female) I know absolutely NOTHING about motors. I have heard that IOs are high maintenance than OBs. IO's are pretty...LOL. but have many problems, more so than OBs. Harder to maintain and service is more expensive and they break down more than OBs.

The boat I am looking at is a 2012 19 ft FourWinns with 135 merc-cruiser IO. Can anyone give me any advice. This boat is immaculate condition and has been kept indoors. I got took big time on a 2001 pontoon (Tri-toon) last year used it twice and the engine died. So I am being very cautious this time around. I am in the panhandle (fl) and saltwater is where the boat will play. Thanks for the advice!

 

[old islander]

Re: In board Motor VS Outboard motor

A well maintained I/O is no different then a well maintained outboard. Take care of it and it will treat you well. Neglect it and well...you already know the outcome. If you really start to compare costs of parts and labor to keep them both trouble free, you will see it is about even.

 

[bspeth]

Re: In board Motor VS Outboard motor

this thread will live forever.I/O is better.

 

[Lager]

Re: In board Motor VS Outboard motor

The 2012 will probably serve you well and since you already like the looks of it, I think this sort of newish boat will give you many years of service. You might want to have an experienced person go with you on the check out ride to check for any unusual noises and then give you another opinion other then just looks.
As far as reliability,they are about the same but maintenance is the key for long term.
As soon as you buy it, I would take to a good repair facility and have them do a complete service as they recommend.Use it often to keep the fuel fresh and when in storage, use a fuel stabilizer for alcohol enriched fuels.
You good to go, pull the trigger. You know you want to.

 

[KD4UPL]

Re: In board Motor VS Outboard motor

Anything maintained well will serve well. OB might be easier to work on because you can walk right up to them but that's about it. If it's a 2 stroke outboard you don't have to change the oil but you do have to add some to the gas.
OB have their place, mostly for people who like to boat in salt water or in cold weather. If you just boat in fresh water in warm weather I'd get the I/O.

 

[MikDee]

Re: In board Motor VS Outboard motor

OK guys, I need some advice. I have called several mechanics in my local area and no one will return my call. I am in the market for a boat and have one in mind. (oh yeah I am a female) I know absolutely NOTHING about motors. I have heard that IOs are high maintenance than OBs. IO's are pretty...LOL. but have many problems, more so than OBs. Harder to maintain and service is more expensive and they break down more than OBs.

The boat I am looking at is a 2012 19 ft FourWinns with 135 merc-cruiser IO. Can anyone give me any advice. This boat is immaculate condition and has been kept indoors. I got took big time on a 2001 pontoon (Tri-toon) last year used it twice and the engine died. So I am being very cautious this time around. I am in the panhandle (fl) and saltwater is where the boat will play. Thanks for the advice!

Okay, First that's one of the better well made brands, and hull. Plus the 135hp mercruiser 4cylinder is one of the most durable, economical, and better power to weight ratio engines made. That hull is a bit heavier then a Bayliner, so it won't be as fast, but still should reach about 40mph WOT. Enough for cruising around just about anywhere, but if you load it down with people, tubers, or skiers, you'll need a special lower pitch prop for that (easy to change though), and, or, maybe Smart fins, or a Doel fin. This is also probably one of the lightest boats to trailer, if need be. It's a marine version of a car engine, and I prefer these over outboards!. Regular maintainence will keep it running well for years! We can't judge the condition from a distance, but if it's as good as you say, and the price is right, I'd buy it myself in a minute. Find the info links on this site to see what to check for. Good Luck, Mike

 

[theoldwizard1]

Re: In board Motor VS Outboard motor

The boat I am looking at is a 2012 19 ft FourWinns with 135 merc-cruiser IO. Can anyone give me any advice. This boat is immaculate condition and has been kept indoors. I got took big time on a 2001 pontoon (Tri-toon) last year used it twice and the engine died. So I am being very cautious this time around. I am in the panhandle (fl) and saltwater is where the boat will play. Thanks for the advice!

You have gotten some great advice so far, so I have very little to add.

First, most trailerable boats rot from the inside out, especially fiberglass boats. Indoor storage is best. If you have to store it outside, keep it covered and stored without the drain plug so that any water can drain out. Even during the off season, you should check the bilge about once a month for any water that may have accumulated from a clogged drain hole.

Second, I'm sure you know that saltwater is highly corrosive. I'm guessing that your boat will spend most of the time on a trailer and not in a slip or on a hoist. Your outdrive is mostly aluminum, but it will corrode. Washing and lubrication are key to a long life. Find someone experienced to show you the basics. Flushing the engine with fresh water every time it comes out should be considered a must ! There are some steel/cast iron parts on your engine that will be in contact with the saltwater and if you do not flush with fresh water they will be eaten away rather quickly.

Outboards have very little or no steel parts and corrode much less, or at least more slowly, which is why they are more popular with the saltwater folks.

if you load it down with people, tubers, or skiers, you'll need a special lower pitch prop for that (easy to change though), and, or, maybe Smart fins, or a Doel fin.

Excellent advice. This is the biggest complaint most people have with that engine. Besides, carrying a spare prop and prop wrench is like having a spare tire and jack for your car.

 

[southkogs]

Re: In board Motor VS Outboard motor

Who let a girl in here? Welcome aboard Bleo!

A couple of questions:

Do you plan on boating on inland lakes, or are you planning on going out into the ocean?
How many people do you think you'll have aboard most of the time?
What kinda' boating do you plan on (cruising / fishing / skiing / tubing / etc.)?

There's nothing to be concerned with about FourWinns. Be concerned with condition. If you don't feel confident to evaluate it, it's worth hiring someone to help ya'. CONDITION is the key with used boats - manufacturer means very little.

The I/O vs. Outboard debate will last for the next century or so. I've had both, and don't mind either. In your area I would suspect that outboards are more popular. I see those much more often on the Gulf than I do I/Os. I don't know the exact reasons why that is, but it is.

 

[Speakrdude]

Re: In board Motor VS Outboard motor

You had us at "Hello"!

 

[Lou C]

Re: In board Motor VS Outboard motor

If you're in Fla saltwater even if it's a trailered boat it will be worth more and hold its value better if you go with a saltwater friendly dual console boat with an outboard. I've had the I/O, maintained myself but it's a lot of work. That 19' FW needs a minimum of a 4.3 V6 power, the the 3.0 4 cyl will be underpowered. Get a 20' dual console with a 150 hp outboard.