On Wed, 03 Oct 2007 14:36:36 -0400, HK wrote:

Tim wrote:
I've been thinking about this and haven't really come to any
conclusion, But While in S. Florida this summer I was looking at the
fishing boats. and of course you had your diesel or large gas powered
Bluewater battlewagons, as Chuck would mention, they 40 footers with
three tier tuna towers etc. But then you had the smaller center
console sport fisherman craft, like the 22' - 27' Makos, Gradys,
Parkers, etc Thhat were all equipped with large outboard single or
dual.

I was wondering why, especially in the smaller craft there was the
absense of I/O's Like Mercruiser, volvo penta, etc.

Anyone I've talked to has never given me a direct conclusive answer.

Does it have to do with the salt water? handling charistics? etc?

I don't know why the I/O's arn't popular for intermediate sport
fishing.

Thats why I'm asking.

THANKS!



Because:

Their drive system is more complicated (more turns) than an outboard,
Their boots can leak offshore, causing the boat to sink,
Their lower units cannot be raised completely out of the water when
the boat is not being used, leading to interesting corrosion, galvanic
action, and marine growth problems,
Their engines tend to take up lots of fishing space in the stern of the
boat,
Their engines are heavier, putting more weight in the stern,
Their exhaust systems and manifolds tend to rust out in five years or
less.


I'll add a couple mo

Rubber couplers between the engine and outdrive that wear out and shred.
(Usually means pulling the engine to replace)

Hydraulic lines for tilt/trim that leak.

Shift cables that get worn.

"Flappers" that rot and seize.

Can be susceptible to hydrolocking the engine if a large wave or wake hits
the stern hard with the engine off ... especially after the "flappers"
freeze up in the open position.

Eisboch