22' Islander I/O conversion to O/B

[L Wagner]

Has anyone ever converted an I/O to an O/B ? If so, how or is this project even worth the effort? The boat is 22' islander with a 488 mercruiser which needs a lot of work. I was thinking of adding a bracket made by D and D Marine any advice?

 

[GLG fishing]

Re: 22' Islander I/O conversion to O/B

New islander has a pod, so the ability to do it is possible. The costs might be high. I have a 1975 18? Starchief I/O and have given it some thought. I considered a pod but ruled it out for a lot of reasons. Takes up room at home. I trailer on bumpy roads and don?t like the idea of the pod and motor way out there. For me I would build a splash well and modify the transom to fit the new motor. I would also add a spot for a kicker. While I was in there I would check rivets and build a new transom. There are a lot of plastic boats out here on the coast that do put on pods so it sure can be done.

 

[GLG fishing]

Re: 22' Islander I/O conversion to O/B

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 22' Islander I/O conversion to O/B

Hey Wagner, welcome! You'll need to post up some photos so we can check out your rig!

I toiled over that same decision for many nights! Hop onto my thread (link at the bottom of this post) and you can see the route I took.

Have fun!

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: 22' Islander I/O conversion to O/B

I would price both options outboard vs. I/O.
I think you can get a brand new 140hp I/O for around 5 grand.
I think the v-6 is around 6.5 grand.
Outboards are not cheap either. I was looking at a 20hp honda as a additional kicker motor on my boat and they are around $3,000.
If you are going to go brand new, hp for $ the I/O is going to be your cheapest route.

 

[havingfun2]

Re: 22' Islander I/O conversion to O/B

your thread just popped up..sooo many here!
I'm in the process of doing exactly what you asked!

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: 22' Islander I/O conversion to O/B

your thread just popped up..sooo many here!
I'm in the process of doing exactly what you asked!

Are you converting from an I/O to an outboard? I'm sure everyone would like to see pictures.

 

[havingfun2]

Re: 22' Islander I/O conversion to O/B

old thread, but perhaps a common guestion.
Yes I did.
I've run the boat now for 2 years.
Love every minute of it.

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: 22' Islander I/O conversion to O/B

Havingfun2, pictures please of the finished product.
I thought about converting to OB with out the bracket, just reinforce the transom and build my own splash well. I opted for a new 3.0 and SEI outdrive. Still looking for a big Starcraft 24-25' (cheap) rebuild her and put twin ob for tuna fishing. Still looking for the boat. All seem to be 1,000's of miles from Oregon.