Question for Coastal boaters

[jumpjets]

I've been boating in the Eastern NC outer banks area for 6 years. Why is it that coastal boaters all seem to have outboard powered center consoles and walk-arounds, or Viking/Hatteras/Jarrett Bay style yachts? I'm usually the only guy on the water with an I/O Cuddy cabin powerboat. I never see express cruisers or sedans either in the yacht category.

Are I/O boats like mine more of lake boats? I have a 20* deadrise deep vee hull, and I get tossed around pretty bad on rough days. All the smaller center consoles have similar style hulls though.

 

[Blue2005]

To answer your question - yes, I/Os are mostly for lakes, and this is coming from someone who owns a boat like yours down in Miami...LOL.

But, outboard powered CCs are all the rage now in saltwater. I do see see a good mix of cruisers down here with I/Os but the majority remains CCs with outboards.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

I live a long way from the ocean but spent many winters in Fla. The centre councils are primarily used for fishing and not cruising. More room with a centre council. The ride really doesn't come into play as they are not all the same, some can be fairly flat while others are deep V's. They are also becoming very popular here on the Great Lakes. Great boats to fish out of but your passenger do get wet when you are tightly crouched behind the single wind shield.

 

[tpenfield]

I'm not sure if it is the boat style or the motors that drive the popularity . . but yes center consoles w/ outboards rule the ocean. I think it is more the outboards that are favored and most center consoles are outboards. Outboards are better suited for salt water use than an I/O .

A 20 degree V is a pretty flat hull for the ocean. 22-24 degree V is better.

 

[dingbat]

Generally speaking, Coastal Bays and River are shallow and heavily shoaled. The average depth of the Albemarle-Pamlico watershed is less than 6 feet. The deepest part of Pamlico Sound is less than 30 ft. deep. Add in a tide, what was navigable 3 hours ago, isn't navigable.

Boats capable of shallow water operations are paramount when navigating coastal waters. Most coastal boats have relativity shallow drafts. My 22', #5K W/A draws 14" of water. That's enough for me to still use my outboard tilted up. What's the min. usable depth of an I/O?

The key to the ride of a Center Console is weight distribution. Pretty simple, the further back you get from the bow the smoother the ride. Compare the distance from the bow to the helm in a CC and a "lake" boat. When it gets snotty, I'd take the ride of a good 17' CC than a 22' lake boat any day of the week.

Outboards are popular because of there shallow water capabilities, better HP to weight ratios (better performance)and the ability to raise the lower unit out of the water when not in use. Not to mention, no gimbal bearings to seize. No manifolds to rot and no "growth" fouled props to deal with thru-out the season.

 

[Scott Danforth]

depends where you boat and what you use the boat for.

Down here in the greater Tampa bay area

fishing....hands down around here, a shallow angle deadrise center council running an outboard on a jack plate to get into the flats
off shore fishing.... twin council running twin outboards with a big fuel tank or running twin I/O's
beaching....anything that gets you there, dinghys, row boats, pontoons, deck boats, bow riders, center councils, cuddy cabins, express cruisers, cruisers, and occasional 48' boat with sea-tow trying to get it out of the shallow water.
overnighting....cuddys, express cruisers, etc.