Which Makes & Models of I/O's to Avoid?

[justjoeking!]

Due to a new 4-stroke requirement on our lake, I'll be purchasing my first used I/O boat (17' - 19' open bow, with a 4 or 6 cylinder.) Our budget will limit us to something in the 80's or 90's. I don't want to set off a storm of debate as to which is the best; however, it would be helpful to know which makes & models of I/O's are generally reliable, and more importantly - which makes & models should be avoided. I've heard to avoid: Ford 4 cylinders, and many models of OMC outdrives - but not sure which ones. Thanks for pointing us in the right direction! PS I've also heard to avoid older Bayliners in general. Are there any other boat brands that are poorly constructed and should be avoided? Thanks again!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Which Makes & Models of I/O's to Avoid?

Not all Mercruiser 4 cylinders are bad. Just the 3.7L models.

I would stay away from all OMC models for the sole reason that OMC is no longer in business.

Bayliners made form the mid 80's until early 90's were the ones to avoid. Of course many of the mid 80's Bayliners used OMCs so you have the double whammy. If you buy an older boat like an 80s or 90s, a big concern is the condition of the transoms, stringers and the floors...possibly being rotten from water intrusion.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Which Makes & Models of I/O's to Avoid?

Find yourself a boat with a 4.3L V6 and merc or volvo outdrive. You'll be good to go. Don't buy anything OMC unless you want to search for parts. The V6 will give you the most power and capability in a 17-18ft runabout while still staying legal on your lake.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Which Makes & Models of I/O's to Avoid?

the one i/o system to really avoid is Yamaha

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Which Makes & Models of I/O's to Avoid?

I prefer Mercruiser, and yes it is best to stay away from the 470 motor. However it is not the engine and outdrive, it IS the engine and outdrive that IS IN THE BOAT YOU ARE LOOKING TO BUY. When you find "the boat" Pay the money and have a professional survey the boat, hull, engine and outdrive. A couple of hundred spent at the onset can save big $$$ down the road. Good luck.

 

[justjoeking!]

Re: Which Makes & Models of I/O's to Avoid?

Thanks guys. All very good advice. It will be a Mercruiser or Volvo I/O for me. I'll probably also hold out for a V6. Yes, also seems like a good idea to get the boat checked out professionally if it passes my initial inspection and test drive. Thanks again.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Which Makes & Models of I/O's to Avoid?

I prefer Volvo for two reasons...raw water pump can be changed without splitting the drive and cone clutch on the Volvo vs dog gears on the Mercruiser(alpha drives). Its going to come down to what is on the boat because some brands only come with mercs and some only come with Volvos.

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: Which Makes & Models of I/O's to Avoid?

the one i/o system to really avoid is Yamaha

I am very happy with my Yamaha. Maintenance IS the key.

 

[Don S]

Re: Which Makes & Models of I/O's to Avoid?

The key to any IO is maintenance. But buying an old used boat means there is a lot that is unknow about the maintenance in the past.
Yamaha only existed in the US for a few years in the early 90's, parts, manuals, and people to work on the parts that you can't is going to be the problem with Yamaha's and OMC's, since neither company exists anymore.
There are certain Merc and Volvos that wouldn't be my first choice either.
Anything with the word FORD on the engine should be avoided also. Especially the 70's stuff. Lots of NLA parts for them.

Best bet for the original poster. Find a boat you like with a Volvo or Merc setup, then come to this forum and ask about that particular engine and drive. BEFORE you plunk your money down.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Which Makes & Models of I/O's to Avoid?

And in the rare event you run into a boat with a BMW I/O- RUN!!!! Makes the Yamaha look desireable! 'nutcase

 

[steddy]

Re: Which Makes & Models of I/O's to Avoid?

This could become a heated debate. It's almost like asking someone if Ford, Chevy, or Dodge makes the best truck. It depends who you ask. Every engine/outdrive has its high and low points, NLA parts and folks to work on them being a HUGE consideration. Some setups have the advantage of inexpensive parts, some have parts more available than others, some have a reputation for reliability but when they do fail they are expensive/difficult to fix, some perform the best, the list can go on and on. I agree with the above, though - find a boat you like, and go from there. Previous maintenance and its current condition should be consideration #1.

When I looked for my own boat, I was dead-set on the Mercruiser outdrive, since I was looking for a mid to late 80's or early 90's. I heard they were pretty easy to work on, parts are available, and they were reliable. I stayed away from the Volvos, mainly because I was biased from some that I looked at that had issues. All were in Bayliners of that era. I stayed away from OMC only because I'm not a Ford guy. Until I read this thread, it didn't occur to me that they are out of business. It seems obvious now, though. It's all Volvo-Penta and Mercruiser made these days. Like I said, I was biased.

Knowing what I know now, though, if I were to look for a newer boat (2000
or newer), I would lean more toward the Volvo Penta outdrive. I hear a lot of good feedback about those, too.

 

[natemoore]

Re: Which Makes & Models of I/O's to Avoid?

There are many "470-a-phobes" on this forum. I've reported this site to the hate speech people several times, but apparently it isn't bad enough to qualify as a "protected engine." A 4.3l V-6 could be a POS, and a 3.7L could be a creampuff. It all comes down to whether or not the previous owners were diligent in their PM or not.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Which Makes & Models of I/O's to Avoid?

The Chevy 4.3 is bullet proof.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Which Makes & Models of I/O's to Avoid?

There are many "470-a-phobes" on this forum.

If they were so good, they would still be making them. Bottom line is they don't and there is a reason they don't.

The main reason people still buy then is that they don't know any better.

Sometimes you get lucky with these motors but most of the time you don't.

The people that really do like them are the people that make the aftermarket alternator kit to replace the one it comes with.

 

[Don S]

Re: Which Makes & Models of I/O's to Avoid?

There are many "470-a-phobes" on this forum.

The point is. If you are a mechanic, understand engines, and can read a manual and understand the concepts, (not just how to follow step by step instructions), then you may be qualified to buy a used boat with an engine and drive system that is a little less desirable than others.
If you are buying an old used boat and you need specific instructions on how to change oil and do a tuneup. Then you don't NEED a system that has no support from qualified techs.
OMC is not training techs on rebuilding drives and taking care of Cobras anymore. let alone the old stringers drives. The 470's are another problem child, overheat one, and you have big problems, buy one with the original charging system and you have problems when it breaks. The outboard type charging system is a joke .............. a very expensive joke.
Ford engines run great, but try to find a set of exhaust manifolds for a Volvo 190 or 240, ain't gonna happen. The 4 cylinder rubber band engines also run great, but man are they expensive..... for anything on them.
The Yamahas and BMW's for a non mechanic????? Give me a break. They would give up boating after the first problem with the drive and trying to find someone to fix it.
Many of us have had boats that we enjoyed (and cussed at the same time) and learned to deal with the quirks. But to recommend them to a new guy? Come on, what did he do to you?

Nate, I got to use an old Glasply for a weekend to check it out for the place I worked at about 17 years ago, if I liked it, I could buy it.
It didn't overheat that weekend, but the distributor bushings were worn out and wouldn't run worth a dime, had to be replaced. The charging system failed when the magnets in the rotor broke, and the heat exchanger leaked the antifreeze into the raw water system (not into the oil pan past the cam seal) and had to be constantly replaced.
Didn't buy the boat. But it was sure clean. No rust or corrosion on anything. Was a salt water boat too.

 

[Don S]

Re: Which Makes & Models of I/O's to Avoid?

The Chevy 4.3 is bullet proof.

They most certainly are not ...................

I've replaced to many to call them that.

 

[grahamh]

Re: Which Makes & Models of I/O's to Avoid?

I would avoid ANY 4 cylinder in a boat that size simply because of the power issue. My grandparents have had a 4 cyl, Chevy-powered Merc for a long time, and it's been really reliable considering the age, but its kind of a dog, especially if you like watersports.

I'd hold out for a V6 if you can.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Which Makes & Models of I/O's to Avoid?

Here is a good thread.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=342772

Even has a quote from Nate in it:

You can read my two current posts and see pictures of the condition of my engine. I'm looking at a complete rebuild. So, I'm thinking about putting that money toward a different engine.

I've got an '87 Four Winns Horizon 170. The hull is in super shape and it looks like a new boat, so I'd like to salvage this bad experience.

What were we thinking when we bought these boats????

Nate

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: Which Makes & Models of I/O's to Avoid?

I am very happy with my Yamaha. Maintenance IS the key.

This was not a recommendation.Just a statement.

 

[myoldboat2]

Re: Which Makes & Models of I/O's to Avoid?

In the spirit of the original questions, if one was to look for a used Mercruiser I/O, what would be the most reliable choice for...

A) Mercruiser Engine

B) Mercruiser Sterndrive

Assume that the power is what the person wants (i.e. a 3.0L might rank high based on reliability) and that the engine and drive get the maintenance they should. I'd love to see an ordered list of engines and another list of drives, with the early models, the alpha gens and the bravo in order of reliability.