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I/O OR OUTBOARD - WHAT'S BEST??
"Jim Stallings" wrote in message
om... Hello All, This will probably be a painfully obvious question for many of you, but I wanted to get some advice and I'm a novice powerboater (plenty of sailing experience though!!) Actually, it's not obvious and is really an individual decision based on your particular plans. My comments below are based on my recent personal experience going from a Chevy block inboard jet configuration (similar in a lot of ways to an I/O) to a large V-6 outboard. Anyway, I'm in the market for a small runabout boat - perhaps 17 to 19 foot. It's to be used in both fresh and salt water here in the NW USA. I plan to pull skiers as well as just cruise and maybe fish. My question is - what are the advantages of an I/O vs outboard, and vice versa. I've been leaning toward an I/O, mostly from the standpoint of noise, simplicity, and looks (no unsightly motor in the way....). What are some other considerations I should be aware of or take into account. Thanks VERY much for any help you can provide. Jim "-v-" wrote in response 1) Outboards are much lighter than IO's for a given horsepower. I Agree 2) Outboards are simpler than IO's. No U-Joints and bellows seals. Don't know/no experience with outdrives. 3) Outboards don't require a big hole in the transom. True, but I've never heard of transom leaks being a significant problem in my little world. My inboard jet, with a big hole in the transom, never had a problem, nor did the people I knew with that set up. Counterbalanced, I would say, by the way an inboard block sits on the internal bottom structure of the boat rather than hanging on the transom. 4) Maintenance is easier on an outboard since the whole engined is out in the open where it can be reached for service. You will appreciate this the first time you have to lay on your back and hug an engine block in the bilge of your boat to reach something that needs fixing. 5) There is less maintenance on an outboard since they are simpler. These are probably true. Basic outboard maintenance is really simple. Changing the oil, plugs and filters on an inboard engine can be a PITA, but not that big of a deal. I don't really know about outdrive maintenance, but outboard lower unit maintenance is really simple as well. But, I only do the very basic maintenance on my engines and haven't seen either to be a huge problem. Some people really like the inboard engines better for whatever reasons. 6) Outboards were designed from scratch as marine engines and are not converted car/truck engines thus they are much more durable in a sal****er environment. Don't know how significant this is (do sal****er only sporadically). Don't think it's a huge factor in fresh water though. 7) Outboards greatly reduce, if not entirely eliminate, the threat of fire/explosion from gas fumes in the bilge. Agree. 8) Outboards can be tilted clear of the water if the boat is kept in the water. Stern drives can't. This reduces corrosion and marine growth. Keeping the boat on a boat lift or trailer is better. Agree - but as you said, a trailered I/O probably works OK in salt water as well. Don't forget that the outboard takes up [virtually] no interior space - this can be very important in a 17-19 foot boat. I would say outboards cost quite a bit more / horsepower than I/Os? Gas mileage and water and air pollution were/are a major downfall of outboards vs. I/O. I don't really know how modern 4 strokes and/or DFI or EFI 2 strokes compare to an I/O, but I imagine they've narrowed the gap a lot - maybe totally? I went to my current outboard set up (over previous inboard jet, similar to an I/O) because of the weight and interior space factors - they were *the* important factors for me for the type of boating I do. I do NOT like the fuel economy factor. I'd switch to a modern fuel inj. two stroke or four stroke, but I do NOT like the cost / horsepower factor in doing that! I can buy a lot of gas for the cost it would take to replace the outboard. (But will do it when I need to). I liked my old inboard jet because the engine gave me much more HP for the money, was much cheaper to rebuild and/or replace (the engine, that is) and was very similar (and therefore understandable to me) to the Chevy engine in my pickup. Fuel mileage was far, far better than old carbureted 2 stroke outboard. But the weight and interior space required in a 20 foot boat were just too much. So, to the original poster, in my opinion, there's no "correct" answer - it depends on how these factors weigh in for you. I strongly recommend you try to simulate or at least imagine how the interior space of I/O vs. outboard will work for you in the activities you will be doing. Definitely spend some time inside of boats you're looking at. DJ |
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