I/O or Outboard?

[danrs]

I'm getting ready to do some boat shopping this weekend, and have my eye on a couple of boats. All other things being equal, it seems like I'd prefer an outboard for a couple reasons....lighter weight, easier to service, easier to replace when it gets enough hours on it, easier on gas?

Am I off base here? These are just preconceived notions of a newbie, so I don't know if I'm way off base or not. I'm looking at a couple Four Winns with I/O's, and a 99 Starcraft 1800 with a 150 hp Merc OB that really has my eye.

 

[Boatist]

Re: I/O or Outboard?

It really comes down to personal preference. Yes a outboard of the same HP will be Lighter and Faster. All the motor weight will be aft of the transom which makes a difference in how it rides. More weight farther foward can improve the ride.

Eaiser to service depends on what you are doing and where you are doing it.
On my boat I find the outboard harder to service a requires more special tools.
On the water the only thing you could service on as Outboard would be plugs maybe. I/O lots of thing I can be services but a lot depends on the type of access to the motor.

Outboard better on fuel mileage I would say no in general. If it a new E-tec or Fuel injected or a 4 Stoke then would be close. An older carburated I/O compared compared to a older Carburated Outboard then I would bet on the I/O.

Eaiser to replace yes but it will cost More if there both new.

More and more people are going to Outboards now that the outboards are getting the same fuel mileage and the polution levels have come down to the level of a I/O or better on some.

 

[danrs]

Re: I/O or Outboard?

Oops, looks like I should have posted this in another forum. Sorry about that. Guess the long work hours and far too few personal hours to research this thing has me rushing a bit too much. Can't be a good combination come purchase time!

 

[samo_ott]

Re: I/O or Outboard?

I'm an outboard fan but one big thing to think of is that inboards are much quieter.

 

[danrs]

Re: I/O or Outboard?

I guess I'll need to give heavy consideration to the 2 stroke thing as well, especially being in California. How has the situation with 2 strokes shaken out over the past few years? Best to avoid them altogether? I'd hate to spend that kind of scratch on a boat and motor and find out I can't use the motor on any of the local lakes 3 years down the line.

 

[dingbat]

Re: I/O or Outboard?

I wouldn't hesitate a minute to buy a DFI 2 stroke should the opportunity arise. My first choice would be a 4 stroke then a DFI 2 stroke. My first boat was an I/O and due to my situation (Saltwater, frequent winter usage, kept in slip) I?ll never own another.

The replacement cost between and I/O and an outboard is a wash. The people that claim an I/O is considerably less expensive fail to take into account the cost of the lower unit. If you just replace the power head on an outboard the cost would be about the same.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: I/O or Outboard?

Try replacing a starter for example on a V6 or V8 I/O and then have a look at dong the same job on an outboard. If you love the boat but hate the power on an I/O you are pretty much stuck with what you have. With an outboard you can sell the engine and install whatever you like. If you hate the boat but love the power you are also stuck with an I/O. With an outboard you can remove the engine, sell the boat and replace it with whatever you like. Two strokes are not banned in California or anywhere else. CARBED two strokes and some EFI are the issue. Etec and DFI two strokes are not banned. With either of those you also have no oil changes or winter storage issues to contend with if you live in cold climates. Check the I/O forum to see how many cracked blocks there are due to failure to winterize properly. Outboards are self draining. I've owned both and will not own another I/O.

 

[MikDee]

Re: I/O or Outboard?

There's a couple more factors to consider here, for a newbie I recommend an outboard. If you're trailering the boat, outboards are lighter, most vehicles have the ability to tow them. I/O's usually require a truck, or a big SUV, unless you moor it, or keep it in a marina. Next, sometimes you need to be a contortionist to work on an I/O outboards are easier to work on, and because of the extra weight (a car engine) at the back of the boat, it is harder to plane off, it takes more rpm. They usually require 1/2 throttle or more to plane, an outboard is usually up at 1/3 throttle. So, actually the fuel consumption difference is not that much. Finally an I/O is a lot more complex, with the engine, & seperate drive, meaning much more parts to wear out,
break, or maintain, and it can get expensive, look around on these forums you'll see what I mean. There are 3 rubber bellows, & a water supply hose that dry out, & wear out, plus universal joints, gimbal bearings, & motor mounts that deteriorate, causing alignment problems. If you neglect these, you'll have running problems, and your boat can possibly sink, quickly! Good Luck, Mike


P.S. Good Points Silvertip! I see he was posting as I was.

 

[KETELS]

Re: I/O or Outboard?

Have owned both.
Both have there good points.
I/O Better riding and the big one for me is when cruising you can talk to passangers. Down side is winterizing.

Outboard. easy winterizing, Even the new ones are still to noisy for me.

If you take care of your boat and do the maintenance, the cost of owening it will be a wash.

 

[njlarry]

Re: I/O or Outboard?

A pox on both your houses!!
Forget the I/O outboard "debate"...both have advantages. Instead you should consider what BOAT is better for your use.
If you want a center console fishing machine you will be only looking at outboard rigs. If you want a moderate to high powered family bow rider with a nice sunpad, you will only be looking at I/Os. The only manufactured that makes both that I know of is Four Winns and there are real differences in the layout of the two.
If you love the boat, you'll live with whatever power choice was designed into it's function...IMHO.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: I/O or Outboard?

i own part of a chris craft 23 ft deck boat. i do none of the engine/outdrive maintenance, own. i have serveral other outboard boats that is do all the maintenance.

 

[codertimt]

Re: I/O or Outboard?

Well, in this debate, I am firmly...on the fence. I have to admit, reading through the I/O forum has me really concerned about the maintenance involved for my new sterndrive...but I'll just have to bit the bullet and keep on top of it...

All my life, we've had old outboards where the maintenance was pretty much don't let gas sit in the carbs and change the impeller every once in awhile. So quite a departure from that...

But as njlarry pointed out the purchase decision was driven by the desired features. The wife wanted the full sun deck in the back and we both wanted a full/extended swim platform across the back. So, decision made...

As for fuel economy, I've always been told that I/O do better on fuel than large outboards. 45Auto's graph post of some data he extrapolated from a Four Winn's brochure seems to corroborate. Same boat, with different power options...

http://forums.iboats.com/showpost.php?p=1697221&postcount=28

I don't know how the newer motors such as the Etecs or 4 strokes do, but compared to "normal" 2 strokes, the I/O motors seem to win the fuel battle...well up to cruising speed at least...

So, get what suits you needs and you feel comfortable with. I still look over my shoulder when I'm about to take off to see if the motor is centered... Doesn't seem to do me much good anymore...

 

[Kev144]

Re: I/O or Outboard?

owned both. I prefere the I/O. Though its a Baja with a 496 HO. It's loud with the exhaust which i love and though slow to get out of the hole, is fast on top end. Really its personal preference. Some things are easier to do on a I/o some on the O/B. I would not hesitate to get another I/O. Both my boats arnt great on gas. (496 HO I/O and 150hp merc O/B) but if you own a boat you know you gotta pay to play. I cant really compare gas milage to well one having a 170 litre tank and other having 70 litres.

Put my vote up for an I/O.

 

[BoatinFool]

Re: I/O or Outboard?

If you wanna chase fish an outboard is hard to beat. If you wanna hang out with the babes - upholstery, carpet, and sunpads rule. Got to go real big and serious to get big enough to put a sunpad on a boat with outboards! As Ketels and NJlarry said, it all depends on what you want to use the boat for.

Maintenance on O/B vs I/O is kind of like maintenance on a rear-wheel drive vs front wheel drive car. FW drive has extra complexity with CV joints, boots, not good for towing, etc. No big deal. Price you pay for light weight and economy. But if you're the type to ignore maintenance the I/O will die first.

Outboard fuel economy will be much WORSE than I/O (about half what you see with an I/O) once you're over 20 feet or so.

 

[Dave K.]

Re: I/O or Outboard?

Hi Dan & welcome. I'm a newbie last year & was told to get the kinda' boat I wanted & for the reason I wanted it. I wanted a small cuddy to be able to sleep on, be able to fish & get around the lake nicely. I got one w/ an outboard & couldn't be happier. the motor is easy to work on & givin' my finances, I know i've saved hundreds just in basic upkeep & winterizing. not that bad on gas but I don't kill it either. if you can afford to have a tech do the maintenance, great! If you don't mind doing the miantenance, either one will save you money. sure i'd love to get a bigger, newer rig but this sport is pretty expensive, for me anyway, but i love it & don't mind spending the $$, I also like that I do all the basic upkeep & maintenance.

Good luck & let us know how you make out...

 

[njlarry]

Re: I/O or Outboard?

Hey Boating Fool, where are the rest of your tumbnails posted?

 

[MikDee]

Re: I/O or Outboard?

One more item, if you decide on an I/O, and live where you get temps below freezing, Always remember to winterize before the frost hits, and summerize after the frost leaves, if you're not using the boat, because otherwise you might end up with a cracked engine block. It is a very common issue here on these forums, due to being too busy, neglect, or not being informed to do it right. Outboards are easy to winterize, I/O's are a bit harder, or more complicated to do.

 

[dingbat]

Re: I/O or Outboard?

If you wanna chase fish an outboard is hard to beat. If you wanna hang out with the babes - upholstery, carpet, and sunpads rule. Got to go real big and serious to get big enough to put a sunpad on a boat with outboards!

I guess it depends on the women. Most women I know would perfer to spend the day on a $100K outboard powered boat than a $22K deck boat with a sun pad.

Outboard fuel economy will be much WORSE than I/O (about half what you see with an I/O) once you're over 20 feet or so.

The DFI and 4 strokes are as good if not better than an I/O. A freind of mine has triple F250 4 strokes on his boat. At cruise (4500 rpm -28 kts) he's burning roughly 33 GPH.

How much fuel do you think twin 370 HP I/Os would burn pushing a #22K boat at 28 kts. Doubt you'll get a 51 kt top end with the I/O as well.

 

[njlarry]

Re: I/O or Outboard?

I guess it depends on the women. Most women I know would perfer to spend the day on a $100K outboard powered boat than a $22K deck boat with a sun pad.

Not the women I know

 

[BoatinFool]

Re: I/O or Outboard?

The DFI and 4 strokes are as good if not better than an I/O. A freind of mine has triple F250 4 strokes on his boat. At cruise (4500 rpm -28 kts) he's burning roughly 33 GPH.

Closest thing I'm familiar with that has that kind of power is a 30' Baja with twin stock 496 I/O's. 425 HP each. At 30 MPH (about 28 kts) it burns 22 GPH. Best cruise is 45 MPH (3000 RPM - sounds like it's idling along) where it's burning 25 GPH.

Doubt you'll get a 51 kt top end with the I/O as well

It might be able to handle that. Tops out about 70 MPH (60 kts).

These test results pretty much agree with what he sees.

http://www.boattest.com/oem/general-info.aspx?ID=631&lp_id=281#TestResult

Most women I know would perfer to spend the day on a $100K outboard powered boat than a $22K deck boat with a sun pad.

Guess it depends on the woman! Most women I know don't have the slightest idea how much a boat costs, they just want to spend a day laying out in the sun. Generally the plush I/O cruisers are more attractive to them than the all-fiberglass fishing machines.