I/O conversion?

[tbird175]

Happy new year to everybody. I need advice again. I have been looking for a good outboard hull for my 175 HP Mercury outboard. My present boat (thunderbird cathedral hull) will have to have a new transom and deck to be used again. Most of the hulls that I have found are I/O with bad engines. Are there brands or types of boats that are better suited for I/O outboard conversion? If so will I be better off doing a conversion or repairing my present boat? I will be doing the work myself.

 

[Bondo]

Re: I/O conversion?

Ayuh,... Doing a Conversion will be More work than fixin' what ya got...

 

[NYBo]

Re: I/O conversion?

Bond-o has it exactly right. Additionally, an I/O hull is designed to be balanced with an I/O; an outboard will throw it out of whack. It would take a marine architect's services to ensure a satisfactory conversion (if it is even possible at all). Double ka-ching!

 

[tbird175]

Re: I/O conversion?

Thanks for the good advice. If I can't find a good outboard hull soon, I will begin the restoration of my boat. I want to be able to enjoy the lake this year.

 

[Reel Kahuna]

Re: I/O conversion?

I did my homework and am very happy with my converted 20' Reinell I/O to an OB. I "plugged" the transom then mounted a Gil bracket and hung a Yamaha Pro-V 150hp 2 stroke motor. The 1st outing was up on the Columbia River for a successful oversize Sturgeon trip. Then throughout this past summer, I trolled in the Sacramento Delta for Stripers. Currently I'm soaking bait for Sturgeon in the Suisun Bay and in the Sac Delta.
The boat handles well, get up on plane quick and max out at 38mph (GPS) WOT @ 6K rpm. I've since re-powered to a Yamaha 150hp 4 stroke and am quite pleased with the fuel efficiency. I'd do it all over again.

 

[MRS]

Re: I/O conversion?

I know there are a couple others that have done this and all I can say about that is I love it. I have a hull now that I love and if or when the outdrive dies I got to mount a outboard to it. Looks nice.... Plus all that fishing room would be sweet....

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: I/O conversion?

Happy new year to everybody. I need advice again. I have been looking for a good outboard hull for my 175 HP Mercury outboard. My present boat (thunderbird cathedral hull) will have to have a new transom and deck to be used again. Most of the hulls that I have found are I/O with bad engines. Are there brands or types of boats that are better suited for I/O outboard conversion? If so will I be better off doing a conversion or repairing my present boat? I will be doing the work myself.

Regardless of repairing your old hull or modifying a new hull........ I believe they would almost be equal work but your current hull will be cheaper to repair.