Outboard vs I/O

[nhillstr]

I am looking at buying a 2005 Tahoe Q4 and don't know whether to go with the outboard version or I/O. I have heard that an outboard is better in the winter due to easier winterization, however I am curious on which one will last longer in the long run with proper maintenance. Outboard would be a Mercury 115 ELPTO or ELPT Optimax and the I/O would be MerCruiser 4.3L 190 V-6.

 

[Trent]

Re: Outboard vs I/O

4.3 will give better fuel economy and alot less noise. Yes the outdrives do need a little more work. Learn and its no problem. My thoughts only.<br /><br />ITS up to you. Also depends on what kind of boating you do.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Outboard vs I/O

Do you want to enjoy a new boat or ruin the pleasure of it with negative compromises? Pick the engine you really want to spend time with. OB's are NOT cheaper to buy or maintain. That is the oldest lie going. 100 hours of OB oil costs the same as the oil changes. Pick what YOU want.

 

[nhillstr]

Re: Outboard vs I/O

I will mainly be fishing and skiing the local lakes in VA. I am not sure how often I would even go out when it's cold and would definetly prefer a quiter ride. With fuel costs these days fuel economy is definetly a main factor too. Thanks!

 

[Lou C]

Re: Outboard vs I/O

Fresh water only? Then a sterndrive is fine and you can get closed cooling to make the winterization easier. Moored in salt water, (like me) well then a sterndrive is a lot of maintenance work for sure. I still like them for the lack of noise and simple car based engine. Wife loves the big sunpad and lack of smoke. But with the newer OBs not being so smokey, I may try one just to not have to worry about barnicles growing in the bellows, water in the gimble and u-joints, etc.

 

[mole2]

Re: Outboard vs I/O

If you're trailering it also changes things. A sterndrive now becomes more viable than if you have it in a slip. An outboard can be tilted out of the water when in a slip. I trailer so I opted for the 4.3L Merc carb 190hp TKS with Alpha 1 Gen 2 and FWC. I boat in salt water so the FWC was a must to me. I also flush the raw water side even though some say you don't have to. I prefer to keep the raw water pump and the manifolds as clean as possible.