Sorry, one more I/O vs Outboard question:|

[cliffslocal]

I see there are alot of these.<br /><br />I appologize if this should be on a engine thread but its not a technical question really.<br /><br />I'm looking to get a boat soon (prob wait till end of "season" for for better deal?)<br /><br />Question is what do you guys recommend for a 10 year old boat i/o or OB for a 18 - 20 foot bowrider? Or is it just how well its cared for? I'll mainly be in lakes (San Diego) and the colo river (some sand bars). And RARELY la jolla kelp when the yellowtail are running but I prefer to fish the ocean from my kayak.<br /><br />Ive been reading the archives alot but wanted to state my particular circumstance for any added advice. It will mainly be for some casual lake fishing but mostly wakeboarding and tubing, cruising etc...<br /><br />I have owned a 19.5 bayliner capri bowrider with 120 force OB (flawless motor for 3 years) w/ SS prop and was satified with its performance, but I am leaning towards a I/O now.<br /><br />What are your thoughts?

 

[JB]

Re: Sorry, one more I/O vs Outboard question:|

I prefer outboards in anything under 30', Cliff.<br /><br />My main consideration is cockpit room, but I prefer the outboard powerplants also.

 

[AaronG]

Re: Sorry, one more I/O vs Outboard question:|

The i/o really makes for a nicer boat. Its better looking than having a motor hanging off the back, it makes less noise (except for the new 4 stroke outboards), and there is no smoke of bad fumes like a two stroke outboard. <br /><br />I/O's are also better suited for watersports because they make better low end torque, and don't get in the way of the tow lines. <br /><br />The big downside is mantenence. It is a lot more work to maintain and I/O than an outboard. If you do the work youself, its just your time, but if you pay someone, it makes owning the boat more expensive.

 

[alden135]

Re: Sorry, one more I/O vs Outboard question:|

I've owned 4 boats so far. 3 have been outboards. I will not buy another I/O again. PITA to maintain and you lose cockpit space.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Sorry, one more I/O vs Outboard question:|

Originally posted by alden:<br /> I will not buy another I/O again. PITA to maintain and you lose cockpit space.

If the engine is under the deck you don't loose cockpit space. <br /><br />Seriously, look around at what other boaters in your area are using. Each has advantages and disadvantages.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Sorry, one more I/O vs Outboard question:|

My only complaint on the I/O is the maintenance related to bellows, U-joints, shift cables, gimble bearings, etc, and the increased draft.<br /><br />I have an 17' i/o and it draws ~3 ft with the drive down. An out board on a similar sized boat would draw a lot less.<br /><br />Other than than I love it. I have had lots of experience with finicky outboards however. But I must say my outboards were not considered newer. They would be considered older. So my frame of reference is skewed.

 

[KCook]

Re: Sorry, one more I/O vs Outboard question:|

Considering where OB technology was 10 years ago, I would have to say this leans toward I/O. Possible exception Honda OB (if you can find one). But I am very impressed with today's outboards.<br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[Navigator]

Re: Sorry, one more I/O vs Outboard question:|

Keep in mind that if you are boating in rivers and such, and you have a prop strike, you can't raise an I/O out of the water to inspect. You have to don the Mask and jump overboard.<br /><br />On an outboard, you simply press the tilt lever up until the prop clears the water. <br /><br />Not a problem when the water's warm, but if its chilly.... <br /><br />Nav

 

[Mnemonic]

Re: Sorry, one more I/O vs Outboard question:|

My opinion is a I/O... but that is based on my prior 3 outboards.. You will definitly have more maintainence to pay for (I spent $600 in a month and a half..)

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Sorry, one more I/O vs Outboard question:|

Navigator has a good point. If you run shallow water, stay away from an inboard. Otherwise, I prefer an inboard for it's cleaner looks and quiet, smoke free operation.

 

[notinbig]

Re: Sorry, one more I/O vs Outboard question:|

I/O's are more expensive to maintain and alot slower

 

[flashback]

Re: Sorry, one more I/O vs Outboard question:|

I can replace a SBC for about 1500-2000 dollars. and I also can do most of my own maint... I think a 250 hp outboard would cost a lot more... If it's a small outboard, then yes, when it wears out, throw it overboard and buy a new one....

 

[novicetech]

Re: Sorry, one more I/O vs Outboard question:|

The extra money I spend to maintain my IO is saved on filling up at the pump. Plus there is nothing more fun than tinkering with boats.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Sorry, one more I/O vs Outboard question:|

Question is what do you guys recommend for a 10 year old boat i/o or OB for a 18 - 20 foot bowrider?

OUTBOARD <br /><br />I would say on a ten year old boat you better KNOW whay your looking at, inboard or outboard.<br /><br />How many used 10 year old I/O systems (not boats) do you see for sale vs 10 year old outboards.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Sorry, one more I/O vs Outboard question:|

whats my name? hmm, well it sure aint MYLARGEANDCUMBERSOMEINBOARDS<br /><br />car motors have no place in a boat. why would you do that.<br /><br />they dont ever put omc or evinrudes in cars, so why put chevys and fords in boat?

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Sorry, one more I/O vs Outboard question:|

That's just rubbish Mike! An inboard boat cruises beautifully and quietly throughout it's powerband. A two stroke outboard idles rough, stinks, smokes like a chimney, more noisy, uses almost twice as much gas, and costs much more to buy.<br /><br />Unless we're talking recent technology, out boards certainly have their flaws.

 

[SeaJayacas]

Re: Sorry, one more I/O vs Outboard question:|

"Its better looking than having a motor hanging off the back,"<br /><br /><br />By all means, I need a better looking motor, that is the most important feature.

 

[AaronG]

Re: Sorry, one more I/O vs Outboard question:|

The outboard guys just get defensive because they typically pay twice as much for the same ammount of horsepower. At the marina I stay at, the outboard boats break just as often as the I/O boats. After owning several smelly outboards, and then getting a modern I/O, I won't buy anything two-stroke ever again. Not even a weed wacker. I hate that two stroke smell, it instantly gives me a headache.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Sorry, one more I/O vs Outboard question:|

Don't be so hot on the new tech OBs, just look what happend with the Ficht, Optimax and now certain Yamaha HPDIs. On these new high pressure direct injected engines, if anything goes wrong with the fuel delivery system, it will create a lean condition that will cause a burned piston. <br />On a 10 year old boat you may actually find pretty good although old OB tech, such as the well regarded conventional Johnsons and Yamahas. These engines are the older style carbed 2 strokes with oil injection, that when well maintained last a long time. Smokey and heavy on gas though. I have heard that the newer sythetic oils reduce smoke quite a bit. <br />Now on a 10 year old IO if it was used in salt, it could be totally shot. Fresh water use it may be fine. I have a 17 year old one, it has been run in salt at least 5 seasons, and I have replaced the ex manifolds, and had a few seals replaced on the drive unit, but that is all. If you are in freshwater, an IO is fine, esp if you or your spouse (sig other??) can't stand the smell of 2 cycle exhaust.

 

[tommays]

Re: Sorry, one more I/O vs Outboard question:|

it depends on were you are also i trailer to lake george NY every summer<br /><br />you see outboards on pontoons, rental boats ,small private boats and great big twin outboards on the laws boats<br /><br />after that its got to be well over 90% sterndrive or inboard<br /><br />tommays