Question for owners of I/O's moored in saltwater

[Big Foot]

I am curious to hear from owners of I/O's moored in saltwater. Taking into consideration the advancements in today's new outdrives, would you buy a new I/O (as opposed to an outboard) and moor it in saltwater?

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: Question for owners of I/O's moored in saltwater

I can't speak from experience, but the number of vessels I see moored in saltwater, I would guess it is not an issue as long as maintenence is kept up.

 

[stevens]

Re: Question for owners of I/O's moored in saltwater

Over here, we all keep our boats moored the entire summer in salt water (keeping it on a trailer is rare). With proper anodes and other corrosion protection, this is really not an issue, and not decisive in the choice between inboard and outboard engines. Other factors are far more important (such as noise levels, gas prices, range, etc.).<br /><br />Edit: regardless of type of engine, there is a clear preference for a closed circuit fresh water cooling. Apparently, hot salt water would really corrode the inside of the engine.

 

[tommays]

Re: Question for owners of I/O's moored in saltwater

they will live through it but require more upkeep than one that is trailered or racked<br /><br />if its a motor of anykind on a boat in saltwater they all have there own problems just different ones<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Question for owners of I/O's moored in saltwater

Hi Bigfoot,<br /><br />I am curious as to the reason behind your question.<br /><br />Are you assuming that I/O units are more vulnerable in salt than outboards?<br /><br />Or is there some other aspect that I've missed?

 

[stevens]

Re: Question for owners of I/O's moored in saltwater

Stillfishing - I think the difference is that a boat with an outboard kept on the water could be stored with the complete engine & drive lifted above the water surface, whereas an inboard would have its leg stay in the water all the time.

 

[Big Foot]

Re: Question for owners of I/O's moored in saltwater

Stillfishing,<br /><br />Good point, I should have been more specific. Yes, my thinking was that an outboard would be less vunerable to saltwater, primarily because it can be tilted out of the water when moored. Knowing there are advocates of both I/O's and outboards, and having owned both myself (but never having moored them), I was curious if owners of I/O's moored in saltwater year-round would do it again...purely from a reliability and maintenance perspective.<br /><br />By the way, I should mention that we live in Florida and will moor it year-round, as opposed to seasonally.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Question for owners of I/O's moored in saltwater

Depends on a couple of factors--one is marine growth, which in Fla is going to be a bigger issue than here in the Northeast. You should ask around and see if the available antifouling paints for aluminum work in your area. You may have to re-paint more than once a season. I get barnicles if I leave it the whole season without repainting. The other is that you will really need to keep up the drive serice, and closed cooling is a must. Having said that I prefer an I/O from a performance standpoint. Faster, more economical and more manuverable (comparing single engines) than a straight inboard, simpler engine technology than modern outboards. My wife likes the big sunpad and my son loves jumping off the full swim platform. Can't get those with an outboard. If you hate mantenance, get an OB or straight inboard. There are plenty of I/Os moored here, but you must maintain them. I would guess resale would be better with an OB or straight inboard in salt water areas too.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Question for owners of I/O's moored in saltwater

Rarely will you see an outboard covered with barnacles in south Florida. I/Os - - - well - - -

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Question for owners of I/O's moored in saltwater

SoLittle...a few years back I bought a '97 115 core out of Florida and looked super in the pictures...when I got it, I then realised what barnicles were.<br />I really feel for you guys running in salt..man, here you can have a 25-30 year-old johnrude and the anodes still look new....paint might need a buff-job, but that's about it..

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Question for owners of I/O's moored in saltwater

Have found that it depends on the water quality. My canal has little water flow other than tide and marine growth on any item is much less over the years than water with a good flow, noticably so. Friend with an i/o just a few miles away has real bad growth on the lower unit, seawall, pilings, you name it and his canal has good water circulation. Personally I wouldnot want an I/O but thats my thing. The majority of boats in the sound and gulf are center consols which means one or two outboards with no notacable growth or corossion. Nuff said, regards fred

 

[ewenm]

Re: Question for owners of I/O's moored in saltwater

1993 Bayliner Ciera 2255 all its life moored in salt water in australia original motor died last year, hole rusted through in exhaust passage in head , only maintanence was once a year for hule antifoul and 2 or three times a year to pressure wash and re antifoul the leg check anodes etc<br />New motor is a efi volvo penta and duoprop and i follow the same procedure. the whole package cost 25k aussie dollars and if it lasts 10 years ill be very happy, oh by the way raw water cooled and flushed on muffs after every outing did 70 hours last year --cant understand all the fuss about i/o's and mooring<br /><br />Ewen

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Question for owners of I/O's moored in saltwater

Reason for my question was that you can get growth in fresh or salt, but in salt you're more likely to get big corrosion problems.<br /><br />Check local knowledge for best anode materials ('zincs' are not all made of zinc!), and make sure the anodes are well-sited, large enough (size makes a difference to the level of protection), and kept free from oxides - in other words, clean them with a file when they begin to look 'furry'.<br /><br />Sometimes, insurance is an economy!

 

[Big Foot]

Re: Question for owners of I/O's moored in saltwater

Thanks for all the great responses. Just curious, are there any owner's of I/O's moored in Florida on this forum?

 

[gstanton]

Re: Question for owners of I/O's moored in saltwater

I/O's moored in FL? We spend winters in St. Petersburg and used to moor our 23' Searay ( I/O). The barnacles got so bad, in 2 months, that the cooling system was almost closed off. We now have a lift and keep it out of the water and flush every time with fresh.<br />Summers are in fresh.

 

[Big Foot]

Re: Question for owners of I/O's moored in saltwater

Still struggling with this decision. I/O salesmen say it's no problem, as long you keep the outdrive all the way down. They say if you're gonna pay a diver to scrape the bottom once a month, then just have them scrape the outdrive as well. But still haven't found an owner of an I/O moored in Florida to say they would do it again.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Question for owners of I/O's moored in saltwater

I really feel for you guys running in salt..man, here you can have a 25-30 year-old johnrude and the anodes still look new....paint might need a buff-job, but that's about it..

Hey, but the fish you prize as trophies we use for bait.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Question for owners of I/O's moored in saltwater

Hmmm...really? Up here, we have big muskies and even sturgeon up to 200 lb., if you like that sort of thing.<br /><br />Can't eat either of 'em, really, so I stick with the eatin' fish, mostly.

 

[Stratocaster]

Re: Question for owners of I/O's moored in saltwater

Owned a single King Cobra I/O for 5 years, repowered to a Volvo Penta DuoProp I/O for 3 years, both moored in salt year round. Never a problem, mechanically or corrosion-wise. 1½ years ago, we bought a new boat, but this time a twin Merc I/O with Mercathodes. No problems so far, but you gotta stay on top of those anodes. They burn up quicker in salt water.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Question for owners of I/O's moored in saltwater

Hmmm...really? Up here, we have big muskies and even sturgeon up to 200 lb

<br /><br />This one went 873 lbs. and they taste good too