Outboard vs I/O, just curious

[chris in va]

Scrolling through Boattrader today, I found a few nice bowriders with outboards (Sea Ray, Chris Craft). Can anyone tell me why I/O are even used at all? It seems to me they are much heavier and take up a whole lot more space...at least mine does. Plus there's the water induction factor I just experienced.

 

[DJ]

Re: Outboard vs I/O, just curious

Chris,<br /><br />Because:<br /><br />1. People do not understand outboards.<br /><br />2. Some think they are ugly.<br /><br />3. Some think they are guzzlers and are "smelly".<br /><br />4. And then there is the what some people think of as the; "cool factor".<br /><br />5. Until lately, four stroke outboards, and DFI, wasn't available.<br /><br />6. People want "turn key", ignore it, style boating. Unfortunately, they are kidding themselves, no matter what they buy.<br /><br />I will tell you this. In my experience, I/O owners tend to ignore the powerplant more than outboarders. They are also more likely to break out the wallet nad have someone else do the "maintenance".<br /><br />I have also found that "inboarders", (true inboards) tend to watch over their powerplants much like outboarders do.

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Outboard vs I/O, just curious

From other post:<br /><br />

<br /> posted July 11, 2003 12:49 PM <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Just wanna squeeze in my 2 cents:<br /><br />Outboards are developed over time to be exactly what they are: Very reliable marine motors.<br /><br />In/Outboards are marinized auto engines.<br /><br />Access for repairing or replacing/removing an outboard is much easier.<br /><br />If you need to repower your choise of outboards is wide as any will hang on any transom, regardles of outdrive cutouts etc.<br /><br />IO's take up room inside the boat.<br /><br />The mpg, vibrationfree and lownoise running benefits from an IO is met by modern 4-stroke outboards.<br /><br />Weight distribution is better with IO's, total weight is lower with outboards.<br /><br />The regular worries with (older) inboards' exhausts/manifolds/risers/heatexhangers/freezing coolants/hoses are non-existant with outboards.<br /><br />Depending on taste, inboard boats are more sleek designs.<br /><br />Outboards often are more trailerable as they tilt higher.<br /><br />The inboard runs in a closed compartment. Not common to have explosions or fires under the hood, I know. But I had one, years ago, that nearly blew my 4-yr old son and me out of this world. It's an experience that lasts

 

[C17LoadSmasher]

Re: Outboard vs I/O, just curious

I will say I had less problems with my 1987 Force 125 OB than I currently have with my 2001 Mercruiser 3.0L!

 

[Lark40]

Re: Outboard vs I/O, just curious

Chris,<br /><br />In a word, money.<br /><br />The i/o is less expensive to package into a 18-26 boat than a comparable power outboard.<br /><br />That's why the manufacturers favor them. They can produce a fast, sleek boat for less than an outboard-equipped competitor.

 

[chris in va]

Re: Outboard vs I/O, just curious

I see. The reason I ask about this is repairing this I/O in my boat is proving to be very time consuming, rather than just taking an outboard down to the local shop. I can't believe no one is able to fix my motor!

 

[Lark40]

Re: Outboard vs I/O, just curious

Chris,<br /><br />Post again what you have.<br /><br />I can recommend both Mercruiser and OMC repair shops in our area. Also, shops that will deal with older i/o engines.

 

[John Boelte]

Re: Outboard vs I/O, just curious

My experience repairing Mercruiser and OMC 3.0 Liters, is that they are very easy to diagnose and repair, plus the parts are cheap and are readily available.<br /><br />For me, it's money. The cost of new outboards is staggering. I want to buy a 20HP outboard for my 15 foot fishing boat; unfortunately, the cost of an engine is more than I paid for our Sea Ray, including the necessary repairs. Looks like I'll be keeping the 5HP British Seagull on the transom for a while.<br /><br />As for the comments about I/O owners not maintaining their engines, that sounds ignorant to me. All the folks I know (about 20 people) that own I/Os take very good care of them. Religous oil changes, winterizing, all the usual stuff. For anybody to ignore the maintenance schedule of their boat engine is just asking to get stranded, it doesn't matter if it's an inboard, I/O, or an outboard.<br /><br />For me, an I/O is the best of both worlds. You have the inexpensive efficiency and power of an automotive engine coupled to the outdrive which you can set your trim quickly and easily as well as pull the prop out of the mud when necessary. Sure the engine cover takes up some room, but it makes a great place to either lay out and sun yourself, or a good place to put your drink holder. At least with today's outboards, most don't need pre mixed gas, or you can get 4 cycle engines. But lord, the price!!

 

[chris in va]

Re: Outboard vs I/O, just curious

Lark, I have a 94 Caravelle, 302 (5.0) Volvo SX. I live in the Northern Virginia area.

 

[magster65]

Re: Outboard vs I/O, just curious

I love this topic <br />I prefer the staight inboard because my boat's in the ocean and it stays in all year round. This package only has a stainless shaft, bronze prop. and bronze rudder (and zincs of course) in the water so it's by far the most durable. For all other boating I prefer the V-8 stern drive, the added weight of the engine over an outboard makes a smaller boat ride a little nicer and they'll run a lot longer than an outboard. They don't have to rev. as high to make the power... plus nothing beats the sound of a healthy V-8. As for the engine cover, make it a seat or sunbed.<br />My step-father-inlaw has a 31' Silverton with twin 318's. They have 3200 hours on them and run excellent and don't burn oil. That's just downright impressive.

 

[Lark40]

Re: Outboard vs I/O, just curious

Chris,<br /><br />I have had good luck with Mitch's Marine in Rockville, MD.<br /><br />They were an OMC dealer and now sell/service Volvo i/o's. Did good, fast work on my Cobra.

 

[chris in va]

Re: Outboard vs I/O, just curious

Thanks Lark, I'll give them a call.