Inboard vs I/O Starcraft Super Sports?

[ShoestringMariner]

In my area,16' SS's seem to be most prevalent and command the highest dollar. 18' OB SS's are super scarce and most 18's are I/o's. In recent years, I've seen really nice 18's with IO's sit advertised on Kijiji for several seasons at half the cost of 16' OB's which come and go somewhat quickly. Often, the 16' will be clapped out with an aged OB on it. (The age of these boats are all in the 70's to 80's era)

So what is the reason for the low value 18's? (or perhaps high priced 16's). Are I/O's just that unpopular in general? Mechanically problematic? Too much work to winterize?

Or does the 16' OB have much better capabilities for smaller water bodies?

I'm somewhat of a boating newb. Before I got my 16' SS, I've only owned a small tinny and a 14' runabout, so no bigger boat or I/O experience at all.

But after some Great Lakes salmon fishing last year, I'm now feeling an 18' or maybe a 20' I/O may be a better choice for me...BUT, I also want to keep fishing smaller lakes as well.

What do you guys think? Any I/O converts? Or OB converts?

I'm sure I could have put this in the general boating section but I'm partial to the Starcraft models...

 

[Watermann]

I have both and yeah the IO is more work to maintain than a 2 stroke OB and most shy away from extra work especially when it's what they think is over their head. I learned everything I needed to know about IOs and have zero fear of them. Another thing is in cold climates your season is cut short with the IO due to cold and having to winterize them early to avoid damage.

I only use my IO as a cruiser so when the cold snap hits it's all laid up and I'm ok with that as my OB fishing boat is ready to go all through the winter.

 

[MTboatguy]

I live in MT and the I/O route for me is just not a prudent path to follow, it cuts my season to short. I pick up at a minimum 2 months of time to use my boat because it is an OB and I have a 16 SS, but the extra time gets me into Duck Season as well as late season deer hunting on some of the lakes that have islands that a I/O would not give me.

 

[mattsteg]

OB extends the season in colder climates, unless you're OK doing partial winterization between outings, have an OB backup, or have other things to do late season. Early season by the time ice is off the water around here it's a relative non-issue.

So consider what you use (or would use) the boat for after risk of freezing hits.

They also have more interior space (motor out back vs. In the passenger compartment.

Some maintenance/refurb can be more involved (e.g. transom, repowering)

If those factors are not dealbreakers/makers then enjoy the lower acquisition cost of IOs.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Ah, I didn’t think about the late season being short. I guess I assumed some minor sub zero use would be possible (ie brief periods of just below freezing would be tolerable until the season was over)

so, not for me. I try to get as much out of the season as possible. I wouldn’t want to risk losing a motor due to freezing.

Thanks guys.

 

[mattsteg]

Use can be ok, but you need to be diligent about draining.

 

[bchaney]

I decided on an outboard boat just because it's easier to maintain and has easier access, and if anything catastrophic goes wrong with it or I want to upgrade I can just swap on another motor. Outboards are designed for boats. That said, I/Os have more power and torque. It depends on what you want. I see most I/O starcrafts selling for less than their OB equivalents around here.