I/O to outboard conversion

[asgrinne]

Tossing around thought of repowering a I/O Cuddy type boat with a super single or dual outboards. <br />Anybody have experience with such a conversion?

 

[wally jr]

Re: I/O to outboard conversion

i saw one the other day.. it struck me wierd.. my buddy called it a "jay bar" or something.. 2 bars come out of the stern that holds the outboard..looked pretty cool though!! i watch the post, im curious

 

[Tufan]

Re: I/O to outboard conversion

It is "very" possible, specially if you had it with I/O problems like me. <br /><br />I seriously thought about it last year but my boat came with built in swim platform as part of the body of the aft - it was goin to be a lot of work. (and $$$) So I didn't do it.<br /><br />You need to install reinforcement bars or sheets to the aft plate after sealing the gimbal hole. Generally I/O style boats does not have enough support for an outborad application. You could get brakets they are appr. $ 600 - $ 900 depending on the application to attach your outboards. I can not remember the name of company, they are from FL and built these Stainless steel adaptor - brakets. Looks cool too, I am sure you can find them with a simple search.<br /><br />Good luck

 

[Solittle]

Re: I/O to outboard conversion

Thoroughly research this before spending a bunch of bucks. There have been several posts here on this where the results were not to the users liking. Beware of the changes in weight and center of gravity. Most hulls are designed with the type of power as an important consideration in the design. I remember complaints about how the boat sat in the water and handling/performance.

 

[peterbo3]

Re: I/O to outboard conversion

Hi Anita,<br />Common practice here in Australia. People love their older,heavier glass boats for the ride but prefer outboards when the Mercruiser finally dies.<br />The addition of a full width pod to the transom solves CoG problems & also provides a swim platform. My email address is under my profile. I can send you a few pics of a pod if you want to send me your email address.<br />Regards,<br />Peter<br />Whoops. Must have been deleted if I ever put it there. peterbo3@excite.com

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: I/O to outboard conversion

Another Aussie from brissy.<br /><br />Got to agree with Peter. A very popular conversion here. Fibreglass pods, plastic pods and aluminium pods are comercially made ready to bolt on and all different angles catered for, single or twin.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[Dhadley]

Re: I/O to outboard conversion

Very popular. The old Gil Brackets made it easier than ever and now there are lots of good companies making them. B-bracket, Stainless Marine, Armstrong and so on. Even OMC got into the act with their Sea Drive systems.<br /><br />More room in the boat, generally improves the center of gravity (especially with a bow heavy boat like a cuddy), lighter, easier to maintain, easy to "dial in" the set up and you can easily change motors if you want to. Most now have a swim platform incorporated in the design.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[asgrinne]

Re: I/O to outboard conversion

Thanks for the responses, any pix's or mfg names would be great. <br />Right now have a strange boat. 89 4Winns 205 Sundowner Cuddy w/ stock outboard set up. Orig was a 150 rude o/b. Now have 200 Rude. Problem is finding a similar hull to mount that nice 200 rude. The Grady's, Trophys, Prolines that do config with OB power are most "Fish" type boats. <br />The hull and interior on the 4winns is coming to end of life. Has an excellent ride and feel. <br />I will poke around and see what co's have web presence. <br /><br />asgrinn@yahoo.com<br />Boats and owners round IL are totally I/O. Look at us outboard lovers as "goofy". Granted our set up looks strange. <br />The 4winns is light 2500lb with motor, 8ft beam. Handles our rough heavy traffic with ease. Will run up to 51+ mph with family & load. <br />Anybody that knows the chain o lakes in IL knows how important having a good heavy water ride is. <br />Thinking about looking for a 235-245 Sundowner type <br />Really would love to find a "sunk" insurance salvage type with hosed motor/ and repower/repair.. Ok I will admit it I am CHEEP. <br />Got the 205 for $2500 with a easy loader nice trailer.<br /><br />asgrinn@yahoo.com

 

[asgrinne]

Re: I/O to outboard conversion

http://www.dadmarine.com/competitors.htm <br /><br />Looks to be a good reference web site. For those that are also thinking the same thoughts.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: I/O to outboard conversion

There ya go! Doesnt look too bad from the pics. Sounds like they have some experience in this area.<br /><br />Another option is the Porta Bracket. Bobs Machine sells them. Its a bit of a different concept in that it a big sissors jackplate. It will lift a V6 high enough so you can tilt it slightly and claer the water. A buddy has a tripple bracket on a houseboat with 3 250 Yamahas. They make singles, doubles, tripples or whatever.

 

[asgrinne]

Re: I/O to outboard conversion

Originally posted by Dhadley:<br /> A buddy has a tripple bracket on a houseboat with 3 250 Yamahas. They make singles, doubles, tripples or whatever.

Wow thats a speed boat, 3 250's does not sound like a standard house boat.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: I/O to outboard conversion

Its a nice one. He redid an old one and did a fantasic job. Lots of extra room as it used to be an I/O. Hey! Thats what you wanna do!<br /><br />He actually sold one motor so hes down to two now. It runs really nice and he has the option of extra speed if he ever needed it -- storm, injury on board etc.

 

[asgrinne]

Re: I/O to outboard conversion

Growing up my Dad built a houseboat totally out of wood in our garage. It was like 25 ft. Had to wet and mold wood for the hull. The interior out of our homemade camper (1965 International 3speed with a granny gear) swapped out to the houseboat. From ice box that took the 25lb blocks to all the cushions. tables mattresses. <br />We used to take 6 weeks on the Mighty Missippi launching in Prarie DuCeine (sp) Wi and float south. Dad would take the train north from where ever we ended up, Bring truck and trailer down to retrieve us. She was so bouyant we could go in water ways that nothing but locals would run We would go behind sandbars on the slew sides to avoid heavy wave action. Made it to some old river towns that never saw non locals on the water. Mom would stand upfront with a pole for depth. Not sure if depth finders were even available in 1970. We actually got beached by a sucker barge one time. Had the Delta Queen go by, that was a amazing to a 6 yr old. <br />It had vintage 1950ish 25 and 30 hp Johnson/rudes to power it. Heavens forbid when we did have to push up river.. <br />Best times of my life when i was a kid!!!Her name was Mini HA HA cause she was so funny looking.