Drive type conversions

[Lightnig]

I have been reading quite a few threads lately, in which the poster wants to remove their I/O and put on an OB.

Now, I can't help but wonder why...

I can see the odd case that it would make sense; going from a single engine to a dual, better performance and redundancy - lose a motor still have the other to get home, well, that's about the only one I can think of that makes sense to me.

I keep looking at that hull I am working on in the backyard, and I can't help but think how much I would love to rebuild it to take a nice v6 I/O (don't really want to lose the space to a v8). Makes sense to me, it would lower the CG of the boat for better handling, make it much tougher for some low-life to steal it off the back of the boat, and better yet I know automotive style engines inside and out so maintaining one would be a snap for me.


So, help me get over this and tell me, what are the benefits of an OB over an IO, that so many people want to go that route?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Drive type conversions

OB to IO conversion work much better than IO to OB conversion.

 

[Lightnig]

Re: Drive type conversions

that's my feeling too, but I was really hoping that someone would chime in with something more concrete.

I've got the perfect engine too, a nice compact 3.0 Yamaha that would be easy to fit in the back, but I fear the 220 HP may overpower that poor little 16' hull so I am thinking something more like a typical 4.3 would be perfect. I just would need the mounting dimensions for the engine mounts.

This would be the perfect time to do it too; floor, stringers, and cap are out/off and the transom is coming out next day that it's not raining. And since I am doing some minor re-engineering of the stringer and floor structure plus building a new transom anyway, adding I/O mounts would be a very minor thing at this point.

So, further comments anyone? Yes, No, I'm insane? anything?

 

[JB]

Re: Drive type conversions

Same HP outboard takes up zero deck space, is easier to service and, if needed, to replace.

 

[powderhombre]

Re: Drive type conversions

Ok, well im a newbie boat owner and as usual for me I jump before looking! I got a very nice 82 Beach craft 18' runnabout. been maintained well and stored for many years. It has the dreaded OMC Stringer 800 mounted to a chevy 3.8 Lt. So I dont know, every one is down on the stringer out drive, bad engineering, expensive parts, no one can work on them... YIKES I'm scared to DEDT! A rebuilt lower unit is $1500. and rebuilt upper is $1200. a re built intermeadite is $1000. so if this unit goes south should I replace it and wait for crap to go out again or spend the same money and plug the big hole in the transom and have a new 150 hp Merc. and go fishing. I really don't know.. it seems to me I see a lot more post with people having problems with other out drives than stringers. I think all outdrives are problematic. I sometime wish the wife would have said hell no! you ain't buyin a boat! but she said oh yeah! now I have to B reak O ut A n other T housand!

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Drive type conversions

Same HP outboard takes up zero deck space, is easier to service and, if needed, to replace.

I did not make a conversion except in the sense I ditched my inboard V8 jet boat for a similar sized boat with an outboard w/ jet lower unit. The above are exactly the reasons for doing it, ESPECIALLY the deck space. Much better for trolling, and much more room for gear for weekend family camping trips.