Ran an I/o in salt for 6 years. A set of risers and three gimbal bearings later I dumped it for an outboard
Why the gimbal bearing problems?
I've run my own I/Os and outboards in salt since 1986, and with my father since I can remember. It all comes down to maintenance. If you neglect a machine it will let you down. But service and maintain it properly and dutifully and it will give years of good service.
Ok, for I/Os there is the issue of elbows and manifolds. They do need to be replaced regularly, but my previous engine (a 1994 4.3LX, in a friends' boat which I still maintain) is still on it's original shift cable, uni joints and gimbal bearing. My current engine, 2006 4.3MPI, is also still sporting all original components in the transom assembly and drive (apart from the water pump impeller)... Last year I did the first replacement of the exhaust elbows. The only other problems I've had were my oil leak (a GM problem and it was also a problem with Volvo I/Os and GM cars with that engine of that year. Find my threads on the problem)... and a fired IAC. That was a $49 fix and has been perfect since.
As much as I dislike Merc (find my oil leak threads as to why), if I was to buy an I/O it would be a Merc. Reasons... Parts are far easy to get and WAYYYY cheaper. More Merc I/Os on the water, better dealership network and more people with Merc I/O knowledge... (and yes, I know I'm going to get a thousand Volve people who are going to argue that.... but that's how I see it)
Chris.....
