Converting boat from an I/O to a OB

R

Revenge

Seaman
Joined
Jan 28, 2009
Messages
50
IMAG0582.jpgIMAG0583.jpgIMAG0584.jpgIMAG0569.jpgIMAG0570.jpgGentlemen,

I am considering converting my boat from an I/O to a OB. I would appreciate your opinions.

The boat is a 1982 Boston Whaler Revenge with a removed GM 350. My ultimate goal would be to patch the outdrive hole and add an offset bracket, but money is tight. If you look closely at the pictures, cutting the top of the transom down to the original transom height could be easily done. Therefore the engine would mount on the transom. I really don?t like the idea of making this boat into an open transom, but it would save a lot of $. Your thoughts please?

If I was to do so, would adding additional strength to the transom be required?

If I was to bite the bullet and go with an offset bracket, additional strength would be required for the cantilevered engine weight. Could you please give me your thoughts on methods to accomplish this?

Thanks in advance, Don.
 
M

mattsmall1972

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 14, 2006
Messages
238
Re: Converting boat from an I/O to a OB

I was going to go for the same thing on a SeaRay 240 Sedan Bridge but my wife's hatred of that boat made me give up the project. I wish I still had it.

This should probably be over in the Boat Repair/Restoration forum. I will warn you that most of the feedback I've seen from that forum about doing this is negative - as though they don't believe it should be done or that it's a good idea. I personally think that adding a bracket is a fantastic idea - it actually makes the boat perform better as it's a longer boat. The strongest part of the boat is the transom, as long as your motor stays connected to it, the rest of the boat will stay with the transom.

I think cutting the transom down is also a fine idea but you lose interior space. It is possible that this boat came in both an outboard and I/O version, with that very modification being the only difference between the hulls. You might want to check on continuouswave.com to ask the Whaler guys what they know about this.

As for making it stronger, add some knee braces from the transom to the stringers/floor and you'll be set.
 
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