Which one to get?

[chriscraft254]

Re: Which is better - I/O or Outboard motor

Re: Which is better - I/O or Outboard motor

Most motor problems on the water come from fuel related issues. Unless you are running completely different systems for each motor and filling each system with different fuel from different fuel stations, the likely hood of having both engines go down at the same time is pretty good.

Don't get me wrong, having the redundancy is cool if you can afford it. There are thousands of offshore boats that run on single engines doing deep sea fishing.

 

[jacoboregon]

Re: Which is better - I/O or Outboard motor

Re: Which is better - I/O or Outboard motor

Most motor problems on the water come from fuel related issues. Unless you are running completely different systems for each motor and filling each system with different fuel from different fuel stations, the likely hood of having both engines go down at the same time is pretty good.

Don't get me wrong, having the redundancy is cool if you can afford it. There are thousands of offshore boats that run on single engines doing deep sea fishing.

As in the United States Coast Guard...(twins on their Ribs),
Most twin outboards I've seen use a seperate fuel/water seperator and filter for each engine, which reduces the chance of both engines going down due to fuel contamination, unless it is a gross contamination problem.

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: Which is better - I/O or Outboard motor

Re: Which is better - I/O or Outboard motor

In 15 years of boating, I never had anyone tell me they got bad gas. Have seen a lot of engine breakdowns however.

 

[jere1972]

Re: Which is better - I/O or Outboard motor

Re: Which is better - I/O or Outboard motor

My thoughts, in the 21-25' class most likely a good portion of your rear deck will be motor with an I/O, I perfer I/O for reliabilty but what a pain to access anything for service,I currently have an outboard, I would go outboard with a hull that has full transom and a transom bracket, which can turn that 21 into a 23 or that 24 into a 26, makes a big difference in the ride offshore....but remember the harder it is to get to the more expensive to repair!!!!!!!! outboard based hulls are easy to repower later on aswell almost a do it yourself job

 

[bryanwess2000]

Re: Which is better - I/O or Outboard motor

Re: Which is better - I/O or Outboard motor

Personally I prefer outboards, twins would be great. When you sea trial some, see if one motor can plane the boat. From what I've researched on alot of boats 1 motor of a twin setup will not plane the boat. If thats the case you'll be stuck with hull speed 7-8mph. You may be better off with a main engine and an auxillary/kicker engine. My reason for choosing outboards over I/O is mainly related to maintenance, which I do myself. If I can ever afford it I would love a Bertram with twin cummins diesels for offshore use.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Which is better - I/O or Outboard motor

Re: Which is better - I/O or Outboard motor

My thoughts, in the 21-25' class most likely a good portion of your rear deck will be motor with an I/O

This probably just depends on the boats style, it may be true on a 21 footer, but on a 25/26 and up the engine cover does not take up much room. I like having the cover for standing on while casting and to get a elevated veiw of bait fish and such. The cover also provides space to each side for seating that can also be removed. The only thing that is somewhat hard to get to on mine is the starter. Everything else is right there in front of your face when the cover is pulled up. Also gives you room to mount everything under deck, like fuel and oil seperators, bait well pumps etc.

Most outboards boats, atleast the ones I've had have a fold down or built in splash well and fish/baitwells or storage to each side. This to me is a terrable layout. But to each his own. I like having as much things below deck as possible to allow for more room.

Here is the stern of my I/O boat now. Not for everyone, but has plenty of fishing space and nothing hanging off the back to enterfer with lines.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Which is better - I/O or Outboard motor

Re: Which is better - I/O or Outboard motor

When it comes to repowering outboards win.

Can you explain that one? I can repower my I/O with a brand-new V-6 engine for a helluvalot less than the cost of a new 200 HP outboard.

My .02

 

[Philster]

Re: Which is better - I/O or Outboard motor

Re: Which is better - I/O or Outboard motor

Most people look at the price of an entire o/b engine with the drive/lower unit. An outboard has a power head, which can be rebuilt or replaced.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Which is better - I/O or Outboard motor

Re: Which is better - I/O or Outboard motor

I may wind up alone in this particular statement - this being your first boat, I find OB's a little easier to learn to control. I'm not sure that I can tell you exactly why I think this is (perhaps just being able to see the powerhead), but I think people have an easier time steering and controlling an OB.

Don't make that a monumental doctrine or anything. Chris' 24' (post #26) is a great looking ship, and I'd encourage you along if you found one of that sort. I own a I/O now, but I drove OB's for a long time.

Just a thought.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Which is better - I/O or Outboard motor

Re: Which is better - I/O or Outboard motor

Stealthbiker, give Mark Blanton a call over at Gone Fishin Marine in Dixon (www.gfmarine.com). He's sharp and knows the needs of the area well. He's also one of the few straight shooters in the business. You can tell him that Steve Schefer from Santa Rosa reffered you. I don't get anything out of it other than knowing I steered you to the right guy with the right answers for the area.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Which is better - I/O or Outboard motor

Re: Which is better - I/O or Outboard motor

Most people look at the price of an entire o/b engine with the drive/lower unit. An outboard has a power head, which can be rebuilt or replaced.

Thanks, Philster. In that case, though, my guess is that they're approximately equal when we talk about the cost of rebuilds. I don't really have a strong preference either way (OB vs I/O). Just wanted to clarify Ironmanmitch's comment.

My .02

 

[IslandManMitch]

Re: Which is better - I/O or Outboard motor

Re: Which is better - I/O or Outboard motor

And it is a lot easier pulling off an outboard than pulling out an I/O.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Which is better - I/O or Outboard motor

Re: Which is better - I/O or Outboard motor

And it is a lot easier pulling off an outboard than pulling out an I/O.

An I/O takes about 20 minutes to pull out.

 

[rube740]

Re: Which is better - I/O or Outboard motor

Re: Which is better - I/O or Outboard motor

It took about 1/2 hour to pull out my 7.4 merc.

 

[IslandManMitch]

Re: Which is better - I/O or Outboard motor

Re: Which is better - I/O or Outboard motor

Whew, you boys are fast.