Advantages of an OB bowrider??

[haulnazz15]

Re: Advantages of an OB bowrider??

I have seen many people slip while trying to use the outboard to gain access back into the boat from the water without a ladder. Very difficult to bear hug an O/B while hoisting yourself up into the boat. Granted, it's not what the O/B boats are designed for, but they rarely have good ladders or swim platforms.

 

[2ndtry]

Re: Advantages of an OB bowrider??

I have seen many people slip while trying to use the outboard to gain access back into the boat from the water without a ladder. Very difficult to bear hug an O/B while hoisting yourself up into the boat. Granted, it's not what the O/B boats are designed for, but they rarely have good ladders or swim platforms.

My OB Hurricane has TWO boarding ladders, one on each end. I'm guessing the kind of boats the OP is looking at will have at least one.

 

[KD4UPL]

Re: Advantages of an OB bowrider??

Thanks for all the responses guys. You've given me a lot to think about over the winter.
I took a look at the Checkmate boats, that's a brand I hadn't thought about. That's a good looking boat for sure.
I think it will come down to am I willing to trade a nice looking, roomy swim platform area for ease of winterizing. We do typically take a lot of people out boating and spend a good deal of time hanging out at the back of the boat on the swim platform, jumping in the water, floating around, etc. I would hate to loose that.
The 2 stroke winterization process seems incredibly simple to all of the steps necessary on an I/O. There just seems like a lot less to inspect and a lot less to break.
I think I would definitely want a tower to help mitigate the problem of tow ropes catching on the engine. Are there any issues with towing a large tube or multiple tubes from a tower? I assume they are designed for that.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Advantages of an OB bowrider??

tow ropes don't catch on the engine; you use a bridle or harness. Not a problem.

And this statement: "Granted, it's not what the O/B boats are designed for, but they rarely have good ladders or swim platforms." is simply wrong. everyone is entitled to his own opinion but not his own facts.

Those who injure themselves climbing up the OB don't count, either, any more than considering hood surfers when considering a car.

 

[truckermatt]

Re: Advantages of an OB bowrider??

I think I would definitely want a tower to help mitigate the problem of tow ropes catching on the engine. Are there any issues with towing a large tube or multiple tubes from a tower? I assume they are designed for that.

Generally, towing a tube from a tower is not recommend, if the tube goes under the force can cause the boat to tip over

 

[rallyart]

Re: Advantages of an OB bowrider??

truckermatt is correct. I've had tubes break a 2000# rope. If you think about that pulling on a six foot lever at the top of the tower you can guess that the hull deck is not designed for that kind of load.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Advantages of an OB bowrider??

tow ropes don't catch on the engine; you use a bridle or harness. Not a problem.

And this statement: "Granted, it's not what the O/B boats are designed for, but they rarely have good ladders or swim platforms." is simply wrong. everyone is entitled to his own opinion but not his own facts.

Those who injure themselves climbing up the OB don't count, either, any more than considering hood surfers when considering a car.

I'd put money on the fact that the a large majority of boats with outboard engines don't have swim platforms and many don't have ladders either (reference: pontoons, bass boats, many CC's). I also don't think you'll find "using the O/B as a step-ladder" in the owner's manual for an O/B engine, so they aren't designed to be used as such; however, it does happen. I don't see how you can argue those facts.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Advantages of an OB bowrider??

I think also it comes down to looks for me. I really do not like they way an O/B looks. Very few on our lake.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Advantages of an OB bowrider??

My passengers have no problem with jumping off one side of the platform and climbing the ladder on the other



Seriously, if someone uses my outboard to climb aboard, they will have to swim home.

 

[2ndtry]

Re: Advantages of an OB bowrider??

The fact is, people try using them as a step, slip and get hurt. Yes I've seen it, more times that I can count. (Having ran rescue on the Mississippi for several years with the local FD.) Sorry but there isn't what I would call a decent swim platform that works with an O/B. At best you get a narrow little ledge, possibly with a small ladder.

The worst part, it's usually kids that end up getting hurt because they act like kids and do dumb things.

I've been around boats a long time, and the ONLY injury I've seen with my own eyes regarding a prop was on a 19' Stingray I/O without a swim platform. A girl jumped in and cut herself of the prop, nothing big, a few tears and a band aid. I would venture to say if a big OB was there she would have known not to jump in near the outdrive.

So there you have it, you mentioned injuries on O/B without boarding ladders, I mention a injury on an I/O without a swim platform. Is either a fair indictment of I/O or OB safety? No, but to say you WILL get injured with OB is ignorant.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Advantages of an OB bowrider??

Hurricane seems to be one of the few manufacturers offering such a model.

A few other options:


http://southwindboats.com/2011-boats/sport-decks/2400-sd/

http://www.starcraftmarine.com/Show...e=Deckboat&Series=Limited DC OB&Model=2410 OB

http://www.vectraboats.com/showroom/ShowModel.aspx?ModelID=1198&SeriesID=104

My questions are:
Is it a total aggravation trying to tow tubes and boards with a big outboard hanging on the transom?
Is an OB really that much noisier than an I/O of similar HP?
Is it really as easy as it sounds to winterize an OB? (seems like you tilt it down to drain, change the oil if a 4 stroke, stabilize the fuel, change the gear oil)
I really like the E-TEC for several reasons but not having to change the oil is one of the main reasons.
Are a 300 HP OB and a 300 HP I/O similar in performance or do you need less OB HP?

Towing tubes, skiers and/or wakeboards is really no problem with a ski pylon. Essentially just a pole that gets the rope up above the motor mounted just in front of the motor.

A current OB is really not much noisier than any other engine. I find that at idle when I have a person sitting in the back the motor noise makes conversation just a little harder than an I/O. At speed the wind noise is the predominate issue with either.

I haven't "winterized" my OB yet. Honestly, if I left it till spring it would probably be fine. I ran stabilizer in the last tank. I usually fog it by pulling the sparkplugs and spraying it right in. There isn't a way to spray it through the intake on my motor. I check my LU oil regularly to confirm there is no water in it. Honestly, with an OB you dont really need to do anything special to winterize it.

My 2004 Evinrude is the predecessor to the E-tec. It is by my estimation a great motor. I put in new plugs once a season and run the Evinrude XD-50 oil. Other than that there are no additional running expenses. The oil is around $30 a gallon and a gallon will last me a little less than a season (about 50 hours/season for the past 2 seasons)

Outboards are significantly lighter than the I/O equivalent. Therefore you need less power to move the boat at the same speed. Also, a 2 stroke generally has a little better hole shot so combine that with less weight and you get better performance with the same power. With your 300hp example from the Mercury website the 350 MAG (5.7L I/O, 300 HP) weighs 993 lbs with Bravo 1 outdrive. A 300 HP Mercury Verado outboard weighs 648 lbs with a 20" shaft. It would likely need to be a 25" shaft for the applications you are considering so maybe figure on 700 lbs. A 300 HP E-Tec only weighs 528 lbs with a 25" shaft. So, figure if the rest of the boat remains the same weight by going to an outboard you can save between 300-465 lbs. That is significant. Significant enough that you could probably drop to a 250HP or even a 225HP outboard and have about the same or maybe even better performance than with a 300 HP I/O.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Advantages of an OB bowrider??

Don't forget to include dual console boats in your search. There are tons out there by makes like Cobia, Grady White, Polar, Scout, Hydra Sports, Key West, Boston Whaler, Mako, Seaswirl, Sea Hunt, Proline, Century, Trophy, Sea Pro, Robalo, Pursuit and more.

 

[jacoboregon]

Re: Advantages of an OB bowrider??

My family always had O/Bs growing up. Once I went to an I/O with all the stern space, I will never change back. My family and i hang out on the back of the boat when we are rafted up, and the O/B would kill that.

Just my opinion, and something to think about.

???? I've never seen an I/O with more room in the stern than an OB. How would you accomplish that?

Also, If you ever need major engine maintenance, an OB is much easier than an IB or I/O to remove.

They ARE much easier to winterize than an IB or I/O... no worries of frozen blocks!

There is NO problem pulling skiiers or tubes. You CAN still have a swim platform. No more chance of getting hurt getting in or out than if you have an outdrive. Personally, I've seen more people use the outdrive as a "step ladder" than I have seen use on OB (none).

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Advantages of an OB bowrider??

They ARE much easier to winterize than an IB or I/O... no worries of frozen blocks!

If turning a couple of petcocks (tools not even needed) is difficult for you, I don't know what to tell you. As I mentioned before, it takes less than a minute to open the drains and let the block drain out. O/B's very rarely have swim platforms, although several have DIVE platforms. Winterizing (aside from draining) is no different between the two engine platforms.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Advantages of an OB bowrider??

The splashwell of an outboard intrudes into the interior room, maybe not as much as the engine area for an I/O, but it does take away some acreage.

Regarding draining an I/O engine, it is a little more involved than the "turning a couple of petcocks" description infers, even in the most user-friendly boat designs regarding engine accessibility.

 

[jacoboregon]

Re: Advantages of an OB bowrider??

If turning a couple of petcocks (tools not even needed) is difficult for you, I don't know what to tell you. As I mentioned before, it takes less than a minute to open the drains and let the block drain out. O/B's very rarely have swim platforms, although several have DIVE platforms. Winterizing (aside from draining) is no different between the two engine platforms.

I don't believe anyone questioned whether on not it was hard to turn petcocks. BUT, it is easier to just shut it off, drive it home and DO NOTHING in anticipation of going out again and not worry about freezing, than it is to shut it off, drive home, climb in, open the engine compartment, open the petcocks, close the engine compartment, climb out. And that's not counting time to un-do the cover and close it back up. Maybe only an extra five minutes or so, but if that's not easier, I don't know what to tell you.

Swim platform, DIVE platform, ladder. Who cares which you have? If there isn't one on the boat, it can easily be attached to most all boats with an outboard.

It basically comes down to Ford, Chevy, or Dodge. Which do you prefer? Then buy/drive that one. It's no difference for I/O or OB. Personally, I've owned both and greatly prefer the OB for the ease of getting to it to work on if needed, plus the extra room in the boat and more hp for the weight.

 

[Philster]

Re: Advantages of an OB bowrider??

How important is a swim platform to the person buying the boat?

Swim platforms? I/O's own O/B's in this regard. Why even argue it?

Can you jump off, swim back to and climb back into a O/B? Yeah. But you don't get what the I/O offers.

So, buy whatever makes you sleep at night knowing it works for you (this coming from a guy who begs to get beat up asking for opinions on his own purchase!)

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Advantages of an OB bowrider??

Well, no new 20'+ boat that I know of is sold with a 2-stroke motor, so oil changes are a given for either powerplant.

I know this was already noted, however, this is a false statement. There are actually several 2-stroke outboards on the market currently.

Evinrude -- etec -- every motor in the current lineup is a direct injected 2-stroke. They are talking about getting some small 4 strokes (Tohatsu) to fill out the line.

Mercury -- OptiMax -- The OptiMax line of motors are also direct injected 2-strokes.

Yamaha -- HPDI -- The HPDI line of motors from Yamaha are also direct injected 2-strokes.

Tohatsu -- TLDI -- The TLDI line of Tohatsus (40hp-115hp) are also direct injected 2-strokes.

All of these motors are generally lighter, faster and easier to maintain than the 4-strokes equivalents.

 

[BoatingCop]

Re: Advantages of an OB bowrider??

O/B's are horible for getting skiers in and out, especially if you have kids. At some point they WILL get hurt.

Definetley disagree. With an i/o you can't even see the outdrive when its down in the water. It would be pretty hard to hurt yourself on an o/b. I do love the i/o's just for the bigger engines and transom space. Nothing like seeing the wife tanning on the rear engine cover sunpad!! Plus you can't beat the swim platforms on i/o's. Just get a v-drive and be done with it. No lower unit. Just drain the water out of the engine (5mins) and stablize the fuel (another 5mins) and thats it. Just my .02