Outboard or Inboard Outboard?

[hahnb13]

Just wondering what you all thought was a better choice for engine types considering reliability and repair. I would tend to do my own basic work but is it easier to work on OB's? What are the pros and cons of each type?

 

[tommays]

Re: Outboard or Inboard Outboard?

i am and I/O guy who has owned about 7 outboards up to 50 HP and perfere I/O on bigger boats<br /><br />you will here the same thing from the people that like outboards<br /><br />they both have there good and bad points and places were one or the other would be the better pick <br /><br />if you read the repiar forums they all break <br /><br />so i think what you want to do and what size boat is a very inportant part of this<br /><br />tommays

 

[skeeterboy]

Re: Outboard or Inboard Outboard?

Depends on how you want to use the boat. For fishing or for skiing or large boats it all depends what your needs are.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Outboard or Inboard Outboard?

I/O's take more maintenance, especially when it comes to winterization/block draining & antifreeze/oil changes, engine alignment, and maintaining the bellows and such due to the holes thru the hull.<br /><br />I prefer I/O's for pleasure boating. They tend to be quieter (though the new 4 stroke outboards are very quiet as well), cleaner looking, easier to have swim platforms/ladders/ski ropes, etc, and generally they're cheaper...I believe you can get more HP for the money with an I/O. Some of these big HP outboards are getting VERY expensive.<br /><br />For fishing, I'd want an outboard. Easier to trim up nearly completely out of the water when needed in the shallows & stumps and can usually run a much shallower draft. If you run an I/O with the drive tilted out very far it puts a LOT of stress on the ujoints & gimbal bearing/housing...not a problem with an outboard where it's all one unit. Outboards also have a better power to weight ratio, and tend to have newer/better technology (a lot more EFI outboards out there than EFI I/O's...you'll find most I/O's are still carbed, but EFI is available.)<br /><br />Both are reliable. Outboards seem to be easier to work on when they need it. You gotta be a contortionist to do some things on an I/O. You also seem to need more "special tools" to do certain things to an I/O, where your normal mechanics tools will fix most anything on an outboard.

 

[Mike Robinson]

Re: Outboard or Inboard Outboard?

I don't like the idea of having a gas powered engine inside the boat because of the potential for fumes causing a explosion or fire. I also like the idea of a relatively easy engine swap if it's time to get a new motor.

 

[ewenm]

Re: Outboard or Inboard Outboard?

interesting thoughts about gas fumes in an i/o but i would prefer to responsibly manage this than but up with the stench of a 2 stroke out board<br /><br />Ewen

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Outboard or Inboard Outboard?

Quote from Mike Robinson:<br />I don't like the idea of having a gas powered engine inside the boat because of the potential for fumes causing a explosion or fire.

Good point, often overlooked. Of course, most outboards have inboard gas tanks, but they're usually in boats that don't have bilges where fumes could collect.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Outboard or Inboard Outboard?

Another angle to look at is the ease it would be for some low lifes to steal your high dollar outboard vs an I/O. They might be able to get the outdrive on an I/O if it is not secured, but it makes it harder to steal the engine.<br /><br />I agree with others that an I/O is great for family recreation while the OB has its advantages for the fisherman. Good Luck

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Outboard or Inboard Outboard?

car motors belong in cars! not boats!<br /><br />nuff said!<br /><br />by the way, how do you change the oil of an I/O ?

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Outboard or Inboard Outboard?

Another thing to consider, the chicks dig the I/Os more than the outboards. They like the quiet, and the perceived betterness/classierness of the I/O. Of course, few of them know little about boats beyond the smelly 2 stroke tri-hull Grampa took them out on as a kid, and that is what they reference their entire lives until shown differently.<br /><br />Me, I prefer outboards. Easier to repower, though more expensive (If buying new technology). Also, if you have a great outboard and want to re-hull, you can do that just as easily. Outboards free up valuable space, regardless of use of boat. Less expensive to maintain. And most of all, no bellows to worry about failing and sinking the boat. There is too much widgety stuff below the waterline on an I/O for my taste. <br /><br />You see a lot more outdrives stolen off of boats than large outboards. Outboards worth stealing requires a lot more muscle and work and time to remove, something thieves don't like. One man can undo the six bolts and heft an outdrive into the back of a truck in under a minute. Also, it is easier to move a stolen outdrive than it is an outboard, lots o' serial numbers in interesting places on outboards, makes them more traceable.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Outboard or Inboard Outboard?

Out boards are inboards that never passed inspection. NUFF said.

 

[Merrill]

Re: Outboard or Inboard Outboard?

What about fuel efficiency?

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Outboard or Inboard Outboard?

TurboDiesel inboards?<br />Now you're talking!<br />Torque. Economy. No bilge gases. Low maintenance.

 

[stevens]

Re: Outboard or Inboard Outboard?

Yes, Stillfishing, you are right on all of those counts.<br /><br />However, with an inboard turbodiesel also comes NOISE. <br /><br />...unless the boat builder took great care with extra sound proofing and such. Mine didn't and it is starting to drive me nuts!<br /><br />I was green with envy when riding my friend's boat the other day, identical to mine except it had a 150 hp Yamaha fourstroke hanging off the back. It was whisper-quiet in comparison to my 120 hp Mercury 1,7 L Turbodiesel, especially at lower RPM's.

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Outboard or Inboard Outboard?

I think JasonJ said it all! regards fred

 

[tommays]

Re: Outboard or Inboard Outboard?

around here on the south shore they tow away the boat real quiet and just chain saw the outboard right off the back to save time <br /><br />the boat dealer right in the middle of commack in a well ligheted area allways has GIANT chains connected to the trailer even on the 250 and 300 hp outboards to keep them from walking<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[Twidget]

Re: Outboard or Inboard Outboard?

Cyclops2, inspection? Not to be a smart a$$, but what inspections do IO pass?<br /><br />I prefer outboards for the weight/hp difference and the space freed up inboard.

 

[Navigator]

Re: Outboard or Inboard Outboard?

Bobolewie,<br /><br />Back to your original question...<br />The type of setup you choose strictly depends on how you are going to use the boat, and WHERE you are going to use the boat.<br /><br />I/O Pros:<br />I/O Typically quieter due to the sound engine cover. <br />Easier to work on while on the water.<br />Easy to work on because its basically a car engine. <br /><br />I/O Cons:<br />I/O Engine can not be tilted out of water<br />Loss of interior deck space.<br />Heavier than outboard.<br />Difficult to access all parts of the engine due to "below deck" mounting location.<br />Potential risk of fire due to fume buildup (if not vented properly prior to startup)<br /><br />Outboard Pros:<br />Outboard Good power to weight ratio<br />Easy to service all parts of the engine.<br />Ability to tilt engine free from the water.<br />Easy to check cooling via the telltale stream.<br />Easy to run twin engine setups<br />Ability to change Mounting height to acheive better performance.<br /><br />Outboard Cons:<br />Typically noisy at full throttle.<br />More expensive than I/O<br />Difficult to work on while on the water.<br /><br /><br />Bottom line...what are you plannig to do with the boat.<br />If you goal is to trailer it to a freshwater inland lake, do some tubing and sunbathing then either the I/O or Outboard would work equally well.<br />If you plan on leaving your boat moored in a saltwater marina, then you'd probably want the Outboard so you can get the engines out of the water when docked.<br />If you are heading offshore for some serious fishing, then you'd want twin outboards or a diesel inboard for your propulsion.<br />If you plan to baot exclusively in salt and run the engines 8-10 hours a day then you would most likely want only Diesel inboards.<br /><br />Like I said, it all depends on what you are planning to do with the boat.<br /><br />Nav

 

[novicetech]

Re: Outboard or Inboard Outboard?

How do I change my oil on my I/O? Easy, run hose thru plug hole, place drainpan under hose, connect quick disconnect fitting, drain oil, remove quick disconnect fitting, change filter and fill with oil. I have owned outboard motors and didnt really care for the fuel consumption issues.

 

[hahnb13]

Re: Outboard or Inboard Outboard?

Thank you all so much for your input. I will be looking and using a boat under 18ft, mostly on lakes in georgia for cruising and relaxing. Some time also in salt water of Atlantic. Sounds like what I thought, outboards are for me.