I/O vs outboard cost

[chambers1517]

I often hear the statement that an outboard powered boat is cheaper to repower. Has anyone looked at the price for a new outboard. I can get an entire v8 powered sterndrive for less than half the price of a big outboard. Are people just talking about cheap, used outboards. A blown engine in a I/O is a cheap repair compared to a blown outboard engine.

 

[Philster]

Re: I/O vs outboard cost

Are you considering the fact that you can buy a new power head for an outboard and not the whole thing?

You blow and I/O engine, and you replace the engine... not the outdrive.

You blow an outboard, and you don't go pricing the entire outboard setup. You look for a replacement power head.

I/O engines make sense in the right applications. For many people, they are not economical, easy to maintain or durable. If I had no high performance desires, and wanted a run-about ski boat or fishing boat such as a center console, I'd never own an I/O again.

 

[chambers1517]

Re: I/O vs outboard cost

Price a 150-200 hp powerhead vs a 260 hp v8 longblock.

 

[Philster]

Re: I/O vs outboard cost

I've heard outboards are cheaper to maintain.

 

[DukesFin]

Re: I/O vs outboard cost

It is a very old debate for sure, but it boils down to what type of boat, where it is being used and what it's being used for that should determine the I/O vs. outboard purchase. If you moor your boat down in S. Florida and use it for fishing shallow water in salt water, you would be crazy to buy an I/O.

If you want a "lake cruiser" with all the bells and whistles like a SeaRay 340 DA, you're not going to find one with outboards...

In short, it's not about the cost of the power plants, but more about the 3 points above and how much you want to spend in time/money on maintenance. Some are about convenience/cost and some issues are about what you are wanting out of a boat.

 

[Islandbrah]

Re: I/O vs outboard cost

Having owned both I would have to say I am extremely satisfied with my outboards over my I/O's all day long. Initial cost of an outboard may be more but maint. and running costs are a fraction of the i/o setup. I recommend Yamaha over and above the others. i have had no issues with my o/b's and I have purchased all of them used. I paid 4500 for a super clean 2001 250 yamaha 25" about a year ago and this thing has been flawless. When pricing the 2 units, you have to take into account replacing the lower unit also. an i/o with lower is not that much cheaper than a good outboard. You could sell your lower and recoup some of your costs. On my conversions I use an aluminum outboard bracket with integrated swim platform. They can be found on craigslist the last one I got was 400 bux. Drastically improved fuel consumption and performance

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: I/O vs outboard cost

Like was said, I thinkboats less than 18' are better with OB's just because space is vital. As you step up to the 20+ footers, there seems to be *about* the same number of seats but the floor space is stretched so having the I/O doesn't impose much. The OB's DO ruin the lines of any boat, but that's just the nature of the beast.

OB are more expensive to purchase than I/O's are. However, the maintenance is less on the OB's by a fair amount. Really, the only extra expenses on an I/O for normal maintenance is the bellows, everything else isn't really an expense until you have to start replacing risers.

While there were a few I/O bass boats made, I think the OB is the only way to go on a fishing rig just to be able to get into the shallowest spots. Ski boats with OB make too much wake and force you to use a pulley on the rope to go around the engine.

In the end: Every Engine Has Its Place.

 

[QC]

Re: I/O vs outboard cost

I love this discussion and I pretty much agree with Philster with the addition of Chicks don't dig OBs which is what I always add to this debate. A more politically correct way to say it is that a clean sun lounge, plus large swimstep is more conducive to relaxing and more available with I/Os.

Also, this section is supposed to be non-engine . . . I see this as a good exception as it should be discussed in neutral corners i.e. not the OB or I/O section.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: I/O vs outboard cost

I always find this debate interesting. In my opinion the situation changes whether we are talking about new or used boat. On a brand new boat, an I/O costs significantly less for the same given horsepower than an outboard. And if you keep up the maintenance, either will provide you years of trouble-free service. It will take many years before the additional maintenance costs of an I/O catch you up to the higher initial cost of an outboard.

I feel the situation changes with a used boat. If I have to choose between two 1988 boats, one outboard, and one I/O I'm choosing the outboard every time. With the outboard, there's a real good chance that if I can get it to start, I'm going boating that day. With the I/O, I may have a lot of expensive deferred maintenance to catch up......maintenance that if ignored, could lead to my boat taking on water and/or damage happening to my engine/drive. Plus the risk of unseen damage due to improper winterization etc.

 

[mike64]

Re: I/O vs outboard cost

What I'm getting out of this discussion is that to be a really well-rounded boater and truly enjoy all that boating has to offer, you need an I/O boat AND an OB boat.

I'll have to practice this line of reasoning to use on my wife when I'm ready to buy an I/O boat. Thanks iboats!

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: I/O vs outboard cost

Since the thread title refers to the cost of each I'll add this.

Things that can cost you significant money on an I/O to replace/repair/rebuild and can require significant work with some frequency:

Engine + accessories
Exhaust manifolds + elbows
Exhaust Y pipe
Transom assembly (gimbal bearing, bellows etc.)
Upper gear housing
Lower gear hosuing
Trim system (pump, hoses and cylinders)

Things that can cost you significant money on an OUTBOARD to replace/repair/rebuild and can require significant work with some frequency:

Power head
Lower unit
Trim system

The simplicity of the outboard as a unit needs to be considered when considering recurring costs or replacements. It is also much easier to access to perform relatively routine maintenance as it is out in the open instead of in a dark, tight, sometimes completely inaccessible hole such as the engine of an I/O.

Also, it should be noted that if you want to upgrade an older boat say from the mid 80s to the latest technology (EFI) and it is an I/O you are out a lot of money to get a new motor and a compatible drive and ancillary components...then to consider the installation of this system into the boat...it can be very, very expensive. Then also consider if you want to change from one brand to another...it can be essentially impossible.

If you have a good older outboard powered boat and want to upgrade...4 bolts, some new wiring and controls and you are basically all set.

 

[Subliminal]

Re: I/O vs outboard cost

I have done the majority of my recent boating on my neighbors 18 ft Sea Ray. He has a 125 Merc hanging off the back.

The main complaints on the outboard are that it's noisy as hell...if you're sitting in the back when you're cruising, you aren't really talking to anyone...you're just nodding your head like you understand.

The trim system always gets the rope caught up when we're skiing...not during skiing, but in between, and when going around corners and the like. That ends up getting grease on the rope, then in the boat.

The noise was the main reason I went with an inboard for my first boat.

I must say though, that guy has owned that Merc 125 for the last 7 years, and hasn't done ANYTHING to it. He checks the oil reserve, adds fuel and runs it on muffs before he goes out to make sure it starts, and that's it. No plugs, no wires, nada...she's a runner!

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: I/O vs outboard cost

What I'm getting out of this discussion is that to be a really well-rounded boater and truly enjoy all that boating has to offer, you need an I/O boat AND an OB boat.

^ Agreed. I would own a cruiser, a runabout, and a bass boat just to make sure I have all of the options covered. Okay sure, we'll bring a jet ski along to make the jet drive people happy.

As far as items that get expensive to replace/repair on an I/O: I don't think that y-pipes and manifolds come up too often for non-salt guys. I'm on the original manifolds from 1976 and they look perfect. Risers are a different story but still last a while, and take less than 30 minutes to replace in most boats. Engine accessories don't take long to replace either since they are right out in front.

Outdrives don't "go out" on either engine platform that often unless they've been abused, so replacing upper/lower units is really not what I would call a significant cost to own. That's like saying don't drive an auto transmission vehicle because it costs more to fix when they break, leaving out the fact that you won't likely be replacing a transmission for 150K+ miles (unless you own a Dodge).

 

[Subliminal]

Re: I/O vs outboard cost

That's like saying don't drive an auto transmission vehicle because it costs more to fix when they break, leaving out the fact that you won't likely be replacing a transmission for 150K+ miles (unless you own a Dodge).

HEY!

My Dodge has 150k on the clock, is a 91 and shifts like warm butter.



...now back to your previously scheduled programming...

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: I/O vs outboard cost

Outdrives don't "go out" on either engine platform that often unless they've been abused, so replacing upper/lower units is really not what I would call a significant cost to own.

Well, a company like SEI that basically has the corner on the lower unit and outdrive replacement market would say otherwise. The entire company seems dedicated to it.

Also, if you look at craigslist or ebay there are an aweful lot of used lower units and outdrives selling at pretty significant prices.

Abuse or otherwise there are many instances that would require a replacement or rebuild of the lower unit or outdrive.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: I/O vs outboard cost

mechanics and costs aside, that big gaping hole in the stern covered by a flap of cheap old rubber is the best reason to avoid 1/O's, especially if you leave it in the water.

 

[81 beachcomber]

Re: I/O vs outboard cost

haha so now i guess we can start a car debate too? lol

Chicks don't dig OBs a clean sun lounge, plus large swimstep is more conducive to relaxing and more available with I/Os.
QUOTE]

Definetly, thats my only dislike over the two...swim grid is pretty much unexisting on my boat, i would love to have an I/O for this reason..

however i just blew up my OB last season (its ok its a 79 chrysler, had to happen) and the ease of swapping motors will be a huge benifit of having an OB, took me a whole 15 mins to pull off the motor.

 

[Kalwren]

Re: I/O vs outboard cost

Hey guys, I just wanted to say THANKS for all the great information in this thread.

I plan on buying a used boat next year and I wasn't sure which way I was going to go for a powerplant.

I've gotten a TON of great information from this thread.

Thanks to everyone who has commented and thank you to Chambers1517 for asking the original question!

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: I/O vs outboard cost

Last summer a friend bet me $50 I couldn't pull the merc 260 i/o out of my Carver in under 30 minutes.... We had the chainfall in the tree ready to go and the boat hooked to the truck... I started the clock and then backed the boat up to the tree..... 17 minutes later the engine was hanging from the tree and I was pulling the boat ahead....

that comes out to about $175/hr

 

[slasmith1]

Re: I/O vs outboard cost

mechanics and costs aside, that big gaping hole in the stern covered by a flap of cheap old rubber is the best reason to avoid 1/O's, especially if you leave it in the water.

They stopped making stringer drives a long time ago.