outboard vs. sterndrive or i/o

[dingodog]

what are the advantages of an outboard engine over an I/O engine system (or visa versa)? I'm starting my search for a new/used boat and noticed that some manufacturers seem to be migrating away from I/O powered models.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: outboard vs. sterndrive or i/o

outboards have far less maintainance, and are more owner friendly when you need to do maintainance. the engines are usually lighter so you get more bang for the horsepower, the outboards are outside the transom, rather than taking up expensive floor space. this is just a start. winterizing an outboard is simple.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: outboard vs. sterndrive or i/o

If you work on an I/O yourself you will quickly learn that they are not user friendly. Things are simply tough to get to and most of those items require you to lay on your belly and work "by feel". Power changes direction too many times through an I/O so things get complicated, heavy and expensive if they break. You have two water pumps instead of one, you have water injestion problems due to corroded risers, you have much more weight than an outboard. If this is a trailer boat, you may need a tow vehicle with less power to tow the rig if it's powered with an outboard. As for maintenance, you can stand along side an outboard and reach everything. Winterizing is a simple, 30 to 45 minute process depending on how fast you are. If had it both ways and will never go back to an I/O unless some drastic design changes are made.

 

[dingodog]

Re: outboard vs. sterndrive or i/o

Thanks Silvertip and Tashasdaddy,

I did read a couple of older threads related to this same subject and it looks like the sterndrive may be even less desirable today given the deveopment in powerful four stroke outboard engines. I had been looking around at used boats and found a slew of Pursuit 2460 Denali boats available and noticed that Pursuit no longer offers a sterndrive model. Anyway, I will keep looking and enjoy the journey.

Cheers!

 

[BF]

Re: outboard vs. sterndrive or i/o

If you regularly launch or beach in shallow water, for sure an outboard. Running an I/O with with drive tilted up much puts much more strain on U-joints etc than when it's tilted down. My Dad had an I/O, the place he launched was shallow and he needed to run a couple hundred yards with it trimmed up. He barely used it (a handful of days per season), but he'd still have to replace the U-joints about every 2 years... Really, really cruddy design IMHO. His was an older glastron with mercruiser and a 2.5 L 4 cyl GM motor. It was listed as a "120 hp", but the boat more or less performed as if it had an 80 hp outboard on the back... except an 80 hp outboard would've probably got it on plane faster. He's gotten rid of it, and is now looking for a boat and OB that tickles his fancy.

 

[tommays]

Re: outboard vs. sterndrive or i/o

Back to the real world


Modern big outboards are wonderfull in there current complexty the more skilled owners MIGHT be able to pull off a 4 stroke oil change BUT that is about the end of and easy service


Even a small 4 cylinder 4 carb outboard is well beyong the normal persons abilty to do much more than look


Not that I/O does not have there own warts BUT i get so tired of hearing how simple and easy outboards are to repiar when they have all the same complex EFI parts that die with a drop of water in the fuel


Tommays

 

[Mike V]

Re: outboard vs. sterndrive or i/o

Back to the real world


Modern big outboards are wonderfull in there current complexty the more skilled owners MIGHT be able to pull off a 4 stroke oil change BUT that is about the end of and easy service


Even a small 4 cylinder 4 carb outboard is well beyong the normal persons abilty to do much more than look


Not that I/O does not have there own warts BUT i get so tired of hearing how simple and easy outboards are to repiar when they have all the same complex EFI parts that die with a drop of water in the fuel


Tommays

Just about covers it...
Now on to easier questions like...
What came first: the chicken or the egg?

 

[dingbat]

Re: outboard vs. sterndrive or i/o

Even a small 4 cylinder 4 carb outboard is well beyong the normal persons abilty to do much more than look

Tommays

So is doing anything above and beyond putting gas in their car.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: outboard vs. sterndrive or i/o

I had always wanted one primarily for the fuel efficiency (120 Mercruiser) and teh high transom.

Besides the things mentioned, I didn't like:

The outdrive not being counterbalanced as is an OB with the powerhead above the tilt bracket.....just a big dead weight back there just wanting to fall

Couldn't see which direction the drive was pointed (had no indicator which can and do break or malfunction......so loading on the trailer was a real bummer

I couldn't tell where the tilt/trim was (again no indicator with potential faults)

Universal joint rattle at moderate to high rpm's and tight turns.....with an outboard the entire power train turns as you turn the engine.....an I/O has the engine stuck dead ahead and the outdrive does the turning.....same thing happens on a mower pulled by a tractor with PTO drive when it is a drag type vs a 3 pt type.

I did like:

The smoothness, quietness, and low end torque. Course you can get that with today's OB's including long midsections making for high transoms to keep following water out of the boat/splashwell.

Mark

 

[Cape Coder]

Re: outboard vs. sterndrive or i/o

I've owned both and have seen the light, I won't buy another boat with an I/O