i/o vs outboard pros and cons ??

haulnazz15

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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.
 

Thalasso

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Re: i/o vs outboard pros and cons ??

Lots of good points to consider here. I've had both and am converting my twin I/O project boat to twin OB for two primary reasons.

1) Gets me a lot of space in the former engine room for a generator, a/c, lots of fresh water, more house battery power, vacu-flush holding tank, rollup dinghy and small OB storage, etc. I'll get all the amenities in my 25.5' boat I had in my 30 footer.

2) Even bigger reason - I will keep my boat docked on salt water. I/Os and salt water storage DON'T MIX. Believe me! I'm talking from experience with $1500 stern drive repairs on three occasions due to keeping them in salt water.

So, for the most part, don't worry about the differences, just enjoy the boat. But, if you are going to be keeping it docked on salt water, OB is the only choice.

Sea ya...

That is actually why i asked the op what type of water but haven't heard back.
 

Home Cookin'

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Re: i/o vs outboard pros and cons ??

Re: "Most chicks like the look of a clean transom without an O/B sticking out of it."

You need better chicks.

Re: "That is actually why i asked the op what type of water but haven't heard back."
I think he's an internet arsonist; set a fire and ran. But all in good fun.

Re: "Straight Inboard"
now that is a wonderful thing, obviously on the right boat and right waters, but it wasn't one of the choices. And there's the jet drive...

And another thing: if you moor your boat, you have a giant hole in the stern covered by a thin flap of cheap rubber. Sure, OB's often have some holes, too, and a low transom to deal with, but I couldn't sleep at night with everything riding on what is essentially a car floor mat.
 

jkust

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Re: i/o vs outboard pros and cons ??

There's just so many variables to consider and each will have their preference regardless. We almost never fish, and mostly cruise, and lounge. With that we prefer the I/O with sport seating but we have a second bowrider that is an O/B as well but like the I/O set up much more. What I will say is that for many years bowriders have had mostly I/O's in our fresh water lakes and now are starting a gradual resurgence to O/B's due partially to the insistence of the EPA to mandate via egregious regulation, Cats and MPI to all I/O's and the extra expense making O/B's attractive price wise again. I remember when bowriders were mostly O/B and made the switch to I/O. You generally need less O/B hp to equate to similar performance of an I/O however have seen that debunked a bit with some publications.
 

Aquaman-PSD

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Apr 11, 2012
Messages
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Re: i/o vs outboard pros and cons ??

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.

I disagree. Outboards are more efficient when it comes to actual HP to the prop. Plus outboards weigh less so they have that going for them. A 19' boat with a 250 etec on the back will go faster than a 250 I/O (if there was such a thing). On the other side of the coin hull design has a lot to do with it. Most boats that have I/O have a deeper V to make for a more comfortable ride while a lot of OB boats(Bassboats) are flatter and glide on the water better which can get scary in rough water but causes less drag.

Also take a look at this! :D I think I found my next boat! This was siezed from a couple of drug runners... must have ran out of fuel!
drug-runner-rib.jpg
 

WIMUSKY

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Re: i/o vs outboard pros and cons ??

Semi serious to serious inland water fishing - OB. Mainly cruzing - I/O. I've owned both and an O/B is a lot less hassle, at least in my opinion. Add fuel injection and there's no carbs to even mess with.
 

saxrulez

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Apr 10, 2010
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Re: i/o vs outboard pros and cons ??

Lot of great points and advice guys thanks for the input. Saxrulez I think u made my decision a lot easier to stick with a outboard. I use my boat for fishing and love early season spring jigging. This year I was fishing in april and did notice there were hardly any I/o on the water. I fish fresh water only mainly in fairly deep water however I love to fish the first couple weeks of the bass season on LSC and will often fish in as shallow as 4ft of water. I enjoy having the ability to trim the motor right up If needed and as most of u agree winterizing/maintenance is very easy. My 2stroke can run a little rough at times but a good fuel treatment like sea foam takes care of that and also helps with fuel consumption

I can't imagine how many fishing days I would miss in the early spring and late fall with freezing temperatures at night.
 

haulnazz15

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Mar 9, 2009
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Re: i/o vs outboard pros and cons ??

I can't imagine how many fishing days I would miss in the early spring and late fall with freezing temperatures at night.

The do make bilge heaters for inboard and I/O applications specifically for this purpose. Otherwise you'd never see a fishing trawler in the winter. They bilge heaters aren't too expensive either, if one wanted to add one. However, if the bilge heater fails, or looses power, you just bought yourself a new engine block.
 

saxrulez

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Re: i/o vs outboard pros and cons ??

The do make bilge heaters for inboard and I/O applications specifically for this purpose. Otherwise you'd never see a fishing trawler in the winter. They bilge heaters aren't too expensive either, if one wanted to add one. However, if the bilge heater fails, or looses power, you just bought yourself a new engine block.

That's actually pretty cool. Never knew that, makes perfect sense, just never known anyone that had one.
 

Fl_Richard

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Jan 21, 2005
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Re: i/o vs outboard pros and cons ??

Re: "Most chicks like the look of a clean transom without an O/B sticking out of it."

You need better chicks.

Re: "That is actually why i asked the op what type of water but haven't heard back."
I think he's an internet arsonist; set a fire and ran. But all in good fun.

Re: "Straight Inboard"
now that is a wonderful thing, obviously on the right boat and right waters, but it wasn't one of the choices. And there's the jet drive...

And another thing: if you moor your boat, you have a giant hole in the stern covered by a thin flap of cheap rubber. Sure, OB's often have some holes, too, and a low transom to deal with, but I couldn't sleep at night with everything riding on what is essentially a car floor mat.


Halleluiah! WHAT HE SAID!
 

cobra1476

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Jul 25, 2010
Messages
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Re: i/o vs outboard pros and cons ??

^ In my area, chicks are just happy to be on a boat. Hell I've seen them pulling up in a jon boat. They are just glad to get to the party.
Most of them just use floaties to float around in the water.

Sorry for the off topic response. Lol!
 

cobra1476

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Jul 25, 2010
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Re: i/o vs outboard pros and cons ??

Back on topic.... I definitely agree with what everyone says on what you will use the boat for. If I had deeper pockets to really maintain a boat, I would be in a blown go fast boat. But at this point an O/B is just less to maintain.
 

ricohman

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Jul 30, 2011
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Re: i/o vs outboard pros and cons ??

Back on topic.... I definitely agree with what everyone says on what you will use the boat for. If I had deeper pockets to really maintain a boat, I would be in a blown go fast boat. But at this point an O/B is just less to maintain.

If I had the money I could picture two or three boats.
And one would be a 22-24ft with two outboards on the back. But I would keep the i/o I currently have.
The last boat on my list is for hunting ducks and a little 9.9.
 

jimmbo

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May 24, 2004
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13,446
Re: i/o vs outboard pros and cons ??

DSC_1002c.jpgI've owned both, and if I were to buy again I would probabily go with a 2 stroke outboard. Looking back I had the most fun when the boats were 15 or 16 ft long with an outboard. In most cases the outboard will out accellerate the I/O. They look cooler.
 
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