why the I/O always have problems?

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: why the I/O always have problems?

I've towed two boats in (outboards in decent looking condition..newish) this year. I've only used my boat five times this year (new baby). So that math is pretty easy.


The truth is, I do miss the outboard on my old 14' rotted tub of a boat. However I do remember spending a lot more time working on it. That said it was an old merc 50 from 1986. It might be that a lot of outboards stick around a lot longer...so we see them fail a bit more often.

Maintenance is another issue...as was mentioned with an outboard....put some fuel stabilizer in it, disconnect the battery...all done. An I/O takes a solid afternoon to get ready for storage. Draining all the cooling system, fogging the engine, running fuel stabilizer. Greasing all the bearings/u-joints, checking all the bellows....etc. However on the other side, shade tree mechanics know these gm engines like the back of their hands...so all repairs are simple....or doable. An outboard is a completely different beast...that uses some sort of black magic to operate....

Ian

 

[rwidman]

Re: why the I/O always have problems?

"why the I/O always have problems?"

Well, they don't. You are doing a disservice to owners and potential buyers of such boats when you post a question like this.

All boats need maintenance by competent mechanics or owners. An I/O is no different than any other type of propulsion in that respect. Different maintenance in some ways, but maintenance, none the less.

If you are having problems with your boat, it's not because it's an I/O, it's because it's not being maintained or repaired properly. You may need to find a better mechanic.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: why the I/O always have problems?

He is in Florida, we dont have to worry too much about winterizing our boats. I use mine year round. So all the hype about it being harder to or more time consuming to winterize a I/O is not important to us.

Now if he doesnt use it regularly that could be an issue too.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: why the I/O always have problems?

The direct answer to the question: "Because they want to be like outboards."

Actually, I am an outboard fan through and through, for any boat under 25'. But regardless of maintenance, quality and use, there's no denying that the whole I/O set up has more to go wrong, with the seperate units (motor and drive) and all their connections, than the self-contained OB.

I would not be surprised to learn that statistically, a greater percentage of I/O's have mechanical problems than OB's. But I don't think that it's the engine system to blame, except for the "more parts" theory. Speaking generally and present company excepted, I think more non-boaters go for the I/O, and with the lack of experience, will neglect them more than a boater would. Why else do they dominate the "almost free" category on craig's list?

 

[bowler]

Re: why the I/O always have problems?

Just my experience but I am in NO WAY saying that I/O are more reliable than outboards,

I've towed two boats in this season and both were outboards. One was very old (looking), one was very new (looking).

The newer engine owner had commented that this was his third time out in his new (to him) boat and two of those times something had went wrong! His boat looked immaculate but he was having engine problems a plenty... His was a 4 stroke Yam.

But don't worry, I know that it is just a matter of time before I get towed home and have to scurry back to iboats to find out what went wrong!

D.

 

[msojjo]

Re: why the I/O always have problems?

I agree....that's how I always thought. After owning both, my next boat will be back to an outboard again.

I am so with you on this one. I had the crappiest outboard motor ever made (so i'm told) and never had a single issue with it in the 5 plus years that i owned it. Replace plugs and keep carbs clean, oil in the outdrive every year and that's all i had to do with it. By the way it was a Force 120.