Are inboards already or going to be something fewer of us use?

[gtochris]

Re: Are inboards already or going to be something fewer of us use?

If you haven't seen that SeaRay cruiser, you should take a look. Twin outboards concealed with hatches on the deck and a swim platform. You'd never know it was O/B-powered while it was sitting in the water.

See it here: [URL]http://www.boattest.com/boats/boat_video.aspx?id=2752[/url]

I'm glad someone mentioned that rig, It looks like a home run to many markets and an answer. I wonder if they can be trimmed out of the water like a traditional outboard?

I think I read somewhere with the need for Catalytic Converters on I/O's that the price will go up potentially opening the market to more Outboards?

I'm an inland boater and like the clean lines of an I/O, the sunbed and large swim deck

 

[QC]

Re: Are inboards already or going to be something fewer of us use?

This is application specific stuff which obviously includes Geography. Those shops can do what they want, the market is not giving up on IBs or I/Os.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Are inboards already or going to be something fewer of us use?

I'm glad someone mentioned that rig, It looks like a home run to many markets and an answer. I wonder if they can be trimmed out of the water like a traditional outboard?

I think I read somewhere with the need for Catalytic Converters on I/O's that the price will go up potentially opening the market to more Outboards?

I'm an inland boater and like the clean lines of an I/O, the sunbed and large swim deck

It's not a mandate for catalytic converters on anything. The mandate is for emissions to be at a certain level. How the manufacture chooses to do this is another thing. As far as i know, the E-Tech is the only Marine Engine that meets or exceeds the EPA levels for clean air on new motors. Can you imagine a converter hanging off of a OB.To answer the question about the SeaRay O/B's, yes they can be trimmed up out of the water just like any OB. I have twin I/O's now. I think if SeaRay can get this right, you will see a lot of boat manufactures following suit. If so i would buy one just for two reasons, being more room in the boat and motors being able to be trimmed out of the water just for the sake of corrosion.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Are inboards already or going to be something fewer of us use?

another possible reason for the preference for OB's on the coast is that they can be run tilted way up in shallow water, where it is my understanding that you can't run an i/o when it's up towards the trailer mode. In a rocky environment (lake/inland river) you probably wouldn't run it in shallow water anyway. With shallow water and a sand/mud bottom, we have to have that option.

Also on the coast many more boats are moored (slipped) and the drives on the OB are all the way out of the water plus no risk of a leaking seal. This was true moreso before the recent popular use of lifts. It's hard to keep marine growth off a i/o outdrive.

to shrew's comment, and as I said, this is all about boats under 26'--although as OB's are getting bigger they are showing up on bigger and bigger boats, but usually not cruisers.

I wonder, too, if OB's are more trailer-friendly than a comparable boat with an i/o?

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Are inboards already or going to be something fewer of us use?

I wonder, too, if OB's are more trailer-friendly than a comparable boat with an i/o?

Can't think of how it's any more "trailer-friendly". You have to raise both of them before you pull the trailer out of the water. I see it being more work to strap on the transom-saver support rods that most around here seem to use on O/B's. I'm not sure how much good they really do, but when you start getting into the 200HP+ outboards, those things are bouncing quite a bit of weight around without the transom-saver.

 

[QC]

Re: Are inboards already or going to be something fewer of us use?

it is my understanding that you can't run an i/o when it's up towards the trailer mode.

Common misconception. While it is not good on the u-joints, especially at higher RPM, both Merc and Volvo allow operation in Trailer and Beach modes. I do it often at idle. Both recommend low RPM.

 

[BugsBunnyBoater]

Re: Are inboards already or going to be something fewer of us use?

It really must be a regional thing the type of boats people use.
In southeast Texas the gulf coast the outboard and the bayboat seem to rule.
I gave up some space going from my Johnson 112 to my Merc was good.
I just have to find a good mechanic to service it..

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Are inboards already or going to be something fewer of us use?

Common misconception. While it is not good on the u-joints, especially at higher RPM, both Merc and Volvo allow operation in Trailer and Beach modes. I do it often at idle. Both recommend low RPM.

My Volvo says don't even run in trailer mode.You would ruin the u-joints and gimble bearing. My Volvo doesn't have a Beach Mode. Is this something new??

 

[woody66912]

Re: Are inboards already or going to be something fewer of us use?

I've been bent over that back seat for 20 years now, two surgeries on both arms. Banged my head on every swim platform, from hear to the moon. and even lost a small patch of hair from standing my head replacing STARTERS. Most of the repairs I don't mind. But I would like to be done with them.

P.S I would like to find the designer at forwinds that was there in the 90s and choke him.

 

[QC]

Re: Are inboards already or going to be something fewer of us use?

My Volvo says don't even run in trailer mode.You would ruin the u-joints and gimble bearing. My Volvo doesn't have a Beach Mode. Is this something new??

Everything depends on year and model. But Beach mode is a Volvo term. It is between trim range, and the very highest range, which they call Lift Range . . . I dunno.

 

[theBrownskull]

Re: Are inboards already or going to be something fewer of us use?

I also think it has to do with geography. In MN I/O's and Inboards are all over the place. I like OB's but I prefer an I/O for the fact that the motor is not in the way for what I do. If I had my choice I would have a blown 502 or two for that matter...old muscle car man. I like the sound and power that cannot be copied by an OB.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Are inboards already or going to be something fewer of us use?

take a look at the engine compartment of a new Chris Craft 32 Corsair with twin big blocks and a generator and all the options. that is tight. however it is still serviceable.

I remember the day around 1973 when a friend bought the biggest outboard made: a Johnson 135. Now they're up to at least 300 HP.

I take it you havent seen the Seven Marine 557 hp outboards then.

 

[BugsBunnyBoater]

Re: Are inboards already or going to be something fewer of us use?

I really wonder if the people who design some boats and such ever thing it will need to be serviced.
Lets put the one part that will fail in the worst place to get to. and use an odd nut or screw.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Are inboards already or going to be something fewer of us use?

take a look at the engine compartment of a new Chris Craft 32 Corsair with twin big blocks and a generator and all the options. that is tight. however it is still serviceable.



I take it you havent seen the Seven Marine 557 hp outboards then.

Seven Marine 557 hp outboards are not for the working man. I think i read somewhere they are $30,000 each. They will be at the Miami Boat show

 

[CC245]

Re: Are inboards already or going to be something fewer of us use?

Seven Marine 557 hp outboards are not for the working man. I think i read somewhere they are $30,000 each. They will be at the Miami Boat show

I think they are going to retail for around 70k!!

 

[500dollar744ti]

Re: Are inboards already or going to be something fewer of us use?

i really like the versatility and simplicity of an outboard. the ease of maintenance is great. HOWEVER, when looking for my first boat, i wanted something with at least 250hp. there's no way i could afford an outboard boat with near the power i wanted.

let's face it, i'm power hungry, and i wouldn't be able to afford much more than a 115hp outboard boat, but since i went with an I/O, i could afford 270hp.

 

[Quit It]

Re: Are inboards already or going to be something fewer of us use?

Everything depends on year and model. But Beach mode is a Volvo term. It is between trim range, and the very highest range, which they call Lift Range . . . I dunno.

FWIW, basically my Volvo DP manual says shallow water operation is ok below 1,000RPM, 30 degrees or less, and to make sure the water intake is submerged.

 

[QC]

Re: Are inboards already or going to be something fewer of us use?

Yeah, the manual (late) I have says stuff like Range 1 - 5 is OK, but 41 - 50 is Lift mode, but 21 - 40 is shallow Beach mode, but 1 and 2 are full power. Huh? Not gonna try and work it out . . . :facepalm:

 

[Mason78]

Re: Are inboards already or going to be something fewer of us use?

The lakes I frequent, the only outboards you see are on bass boats and pontoons. It seems like everyone has an I/O with an occasional jet.

I prefer an I/O, mostly because skiing and cruising are my favorite activities. The I/O is easier to board and much quieter.

I agree that they days of the two stroke outboard are numbered. They will be phased out just like two stroke dirt bikes.

 

[emoney]

Re: Are inboards already or going to be something fewer of us use?

Not sure about the "easier to board" comment. That's probably more of a boat/hull design issue than anything. I've been on plenty of both types and a)struggled on some, b)didn't on others and the motor type didn't matter, the swim platform/ladder did, lol.

This thread is a good example of why there won't be either version going away anytime soon. There's as many fans of each type, and as long as demand is there, the supply will continue.

7 Marine has a heck of a motor there. I've only seen the videos from last year's Miami Show, but man that thing looks cool. Talk about having a strong transom, lol. Still, I guess the main reason for the design was to eliminate the need for multiple outboards so it's probably a weight savings in that regard. I have a friend that has a 40' with triple 250 Mercs on the back. He could go to 2 outboards and increase horsepower at the same time I suppose. Of course, he's the target audience for that outboard as he can afford it. I, on the other hand, am looking to sell a kidney because I think I'm really going to like this new 4stroke Merc 150 that's coming out, lol.

My last vote for outboards is they are much easier to "take with you". In my neck of the woods there are plenty of guys that "own" an outboard that happens to have a particular hull attached to it. You can see them again next year and the motor is the same, but the hull is now something entirely different. Something to be said about that, especially with the cost of these things.