JimS123
Fleet Admiral
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2007
- Messages
- 8,234
Re: Help with choosing boat! Please!
I don't know the statistics, but I would say the O/B may be more reliable. That's not an opinion, just an observation.
I boat the Upper Niagara and Lakes Erie & Ontario, and I see more I/O's getting towed than outboards.
I have personally owned inboards, outboards, I/O's and jets as well. I never had an outboard fail to get me home, but my I/O has stranded me many times. All my issues were relasted to manufacturer's defects and happened within the first 3 years. Interestingly enough, I own that same boat you just bought. It's a sweet little outfit and will give you good speed, performance and economy if you prop it right. But compared to an outboard, your maintenance requirements will be quite a bit higher.
In my experience, most stranded boaters can owe their predicament to simply not taking care of their rig. Read your owners manual and see what is required. I talk to a lot of so called experienced boaters and they don't even know that the outdrive must be removed periodically to lube the u-joint. Things like bellows, power trim system, water pump, thermostat, etc. should not be overlooked.
My annual I/O maintenance takes me maybe 2 hours; 4-5 hours every other year (incl. water pump, u-joint, etc.) In contrast, my 2-stroke outboard bass boat only takes a half hour.
Good luck with your new boat.
I don't know the statistics, but I would say the O/B may be more reliable. That's not an opinion, just an observation.
I boat the Upper Niagara and Lakes Erie & Ontario, and I see more I/O's getting towed than outboards.
I have personally owned inboards, outboards, I/O's and jets as well. I never had an outboard fail to get me home, but my I/O has stranded me many times. All my issues were relasted to manufacturer's defects and happened within the first 3 years. Interestingly enough, I own that same boat you just bought. It's a sweet little outfit and will give you good speed, performance and economy if you prop it right. But compared to an outboard, your maintenance requirements will be quite a bit higher.
In my experience, most stranded boaters can owe their predicament to simply not taking care of their rig. Read your owners manual and see what is required. I talk to a lot of so called experienced boaters and they don't even know that the outdrive must be removed periodically to lube the u-joint. Things like bellows, power trim system, water pump, thermostat, etc. should not be overlooked.
My annual I/O maintenance takes me maybe 2 hours; 4-5 hours every other year (incl. water pump, u-joint, etc.) In contrast, my 2-stroke outboard bass boat only takes a half hour.
Good luck with your new boat.