haulnazz15
Captain
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2009
- Messages
- 3,720
Re: i/o vs outboard pros and cons ??
Where and when you boat is my deciding factor in drive type. If you do shallow water fishing and you see the need to do it in cold weather (read freezing overnight temps), then the O/B is the obvious choice. If you only run in warm weather and 3'+ water, the I/O or inboard will be just fine. Most chicks like the look of a clean transom without an O/B sticking out of it. Having bow seating with filler cushions is nice, but most people anchor their boat bow out, so the stern of the vessel is pointed towards where the action is. Swim platforms on I/Os and inboards are great for hanging out or prepping for watersports, swim steps w/outboards don't provide the same convenience. Also, if you want a go-fast boat, almost all of them (save for a few models like the Checkmate, etc) are going to have an I/O strapped to it.
There is no best option for everyone, but every region/boating activity has a best use. Inboards are for tournament watersports boats, they can't be beat. Outboards rule the bay/shallow fishing as well as the ease of maintenance in salt water. I/O's rule the cruising and temperate climates for fuel efficiency and being friendly to most activities. That's why the I/O is the most popular platform, because it meets the needs of most people on the water. If most people boated in salt water, or fished shallow stuff, the O/B would be the favorite.
Where and when you boat is my deciding factor in drive type. If you do shallow water fishing and you see the need to do it in cold weather (read freezing overnight temps), then the O/B is the obvious choice. If you only run in warm weather and 3'+ water, the I/O or inboard will be just fine. Most chicks like the look of a clean transom without an O/B sticking out of it. Having bow seating with filler cushions is nice, but most people anchor their boat bow out, so the stern of the vessel is pointed towards where the action is. Swim platforms on I/Os and inboards are great for hanging out or prepping for watersports, swim steps w/outboards don't provide the same convenience. Also, if you want a go-fast boat, almost all of them (save for a few models like the Checkmate, etc) are going to have an I/O strapped to it.
There is no best option for everyone, but every region/boating activity has a best use. Inboards are for tournament watersports boats, they can't be beat. Outboards rule the bay/shallow fishing as well as the ease of maintenance in salt water. I/O's rule the cruising and temperate climates for fuel efficiency and being friendly to most activities. That's why the I/O is the most popular platform, because it meets the needs of most people on the water. If most people boated in salt water, or fished shallow stuff, the O/B would be the favorite.