Stern Drive Vs. Outboard

[dingbat]

Re: Stern Drive Vs. Outboard

I agree with the ease of the outboard in maintenance ect, but I own and run an I/O. My 50 hp Evinrude on a 14 ft boat would burn 5 gallons an hour pulling skiers, tubers ect. My 120 hp I/O on a 16.5 ft burns 1.5 gallons an hour.

Let?s compare apples oranges here. You're using 5 GPH on the 50HP at WOT. What is your fuel usage on the 120 hp I/O running it at WOT?

 

[Acer2428]

Re: Stern Drive Vs. Outboard

After my Dad's I/O, I swore up and down that outboards were the way to go. But when it comes to buying a used boat, the I/O's are just cheaper and easier to find.

What I'd like to see is an equivalincy scale on the same boat. I.E. a 190hp I/O has to be equal to say, a 150? OB? Due to the weight difference?

 

[dvan1901]

Re: Stern Drive Vs. Outboard

Should any consideration be given to the fact that they are slowly starting to disallow 2 stroke engines on some lakes? Not sure where you are located, but California has started this and some other lakes are doing it too.

 

[richpor_1]

Re: Stern Drive Vs. Outboard

Should any consideration be given to the fact that they are slowly starting to disallow 2 stroke engines on some lakes? Not sure where you are located, but California has started this and some other lakes are doing it too.

I'm in the Muskokas up here in Canada...

 

[Jerico]

Re: Stern Drive Vs. Outboard

I have a 70 hp Johnson outboard on one boat and a 3.0 I/O in the other one. In my view it depends on your mechanical skills and what you're doing with the boat. The boat with the OB we use for just my wife and I and fishing. The I/O is the family outing boat.

Differences to me: I know basics only on OB motors. If it breaks I will end up paying someone to fix it. Mine also has the VRO disabled and I premix the gas/oil. It doesn't smoke, but I'm also very careful with the mix to be consistent. I do burn more gas in the OB, but as was pointed out earlier, it does run higher RPMs so shouldn't be a surprise. For low maintenance hook it up and go it has been fantastic.

I'm a better mechanic on the 3.0 I/O so if it breaks I'm more likely to be able to fix it myself. The maintenance on it is more than the OB, but as long as you take care of it isn't bad. It is also much quieter than the OB so more pleasurable with the family cruising around. It also uses less gas which is a good thing since mostly what the family wants to do is cruise around, tube and ski.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Stern Drive Vs. Outboard

jerico, honestly - you don't have to be a mechanic to fix a 70 hp johnson 2 stroke - its a remarkably simple machine - get a manual, check the johnny-rude forum, you'll never ever have to put it in the shop again.

on mixing oil/gas: rule of thumb: 1/3 cup per gallon, 1 cup per 3 gallons, 1 pint per 6 gallons, 1 quart per 12 gallons. The more gas in the tank, the less precision required. Not difficult but nevertheless a bit of a pain. Loan the boat to the brother-in-law, he forgets the oil, you're up a creek.......[sarcasm] good thing rebuilds are so easy [/sarcasm]

 

[Mike V]

Re: Stern Drive Vs. Outboard

Let?s compare apples oranges here. You're using 5 GPH on the 50HP at WOT. What is your fuel usage on the 120 hp I/O running it at WOT?

7!
Did I win?

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Stern Drive Vs. Outboard

Let?s compare apples oranges here. You're using 5 GPH on the 50HP at WOT. What is your fuel usage on the 120 hp I/O running it at WOT?

I am if you read the post. both pulling skiers and tubers.

 

[ParallaxBill]

Re: Stern Drive Vs. Outboard

Forgot to mention, my I/O is SUPER quiet. It's got a low rumble to it under power not the ear-itating noise of a 2 cycle OB. You can barely hear it idling. I know some of you will claim your 2 strokes are quiet but I have noticed that I/Os seem to be seen long before heard. Can't say that for most 2 strokes.

I did witness one of those very expensive 4 strokes on a lightning fast bass rig the other day under full power. It was quieter than a 2 stroke but not as quiet as most I/O's. Plus he was running about 75 mph on a 350 acre lake.

 

[kmurray802]

Re: Stern Drive Vs. Outboard

Forgot to mention, my I/O is SUPER quiet. It's got a low rumble to it under power not the ear-itating noise of a 2 cycle OB. You can barely hear it idling. I know some of you will claim your 2 strokes are quiet but I have noticed that I/Os seem to be seen long before heard. Can't say that for most 2 strokes.

I did witness one of those very expensive 4 strokes on a lightning fast bass rig the other day under full power. It was quieter than a 2 stroke but not as quiet as most I/O's. Plus he was running about 75 mph on a 350 acre lake.

Easy Now!-You got an O.K argument going with the noise factor of I/O compared to 2 st's.but I'd leave the 4 st's out of it.
I've got 225 Honda's and at idle-low speed you literaly have to watch your tachs & pee streams to make sure motors are running.Even at WOT there very quiet.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Stern Drive Vs. Outboard

Only in whose boat is better arguments do you find grown men who install headers, dual exhaust and exhaust amplifiers on their trucks arguing over whose boat is quieter.

 

[ParallaxBill]

Re: Stern Drive Vs. Outboard

Ah, but I run stock single exhaust on my 350 Chevy...and it's quiet too. I've outgrown the need for noise.