The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

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RatFish

Chief Petty Officer
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Jul 29, 2003
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647
Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

ZmOz,<br /><br />Yes you are right! HP for HP there is no comparison. OB wins every time. I was disagreeing with your statement that a 115HP OB would be faster than a 200HP I/O. A difference of 85HP is an awful lot. A 175HP OB (or maybe even a 150HP OB) would be faster than a 200 I/O not a 115HP OB. If you still think a 115HP OB would be faster than a 200HP I/O then back it up with some facts.
 
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swist

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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Jul 1, 2004
Messages
678
Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

The I/O is an engineering kludge. Too many compromises. Lower unit stuck in the water all the time with all those external hoses etc - cooling system is a nightmare unless you have FWC and then things get even heavier and more complicated/expensive. Fumes can build in the bilge. Service access is usually a nightmare on smaller boats. Shift/clutch system is a real Rube Goldberg. <br /><br />Good ads though with half-naked babes sunning on transom. Not that I mind half-naked babes but you can do that on a beach for a lot less investment. Real boats aren't sunloungers unless they are at rest or in some 300 sq ft pond. (flameproof vest put on :)....
 
Z

ZmOz

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Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

Originally posted by RatFish:<br /> ZmOz,<br /><br />Yes you are right! HP for HP there is no comparison. OB wins every time. I was disagreeing with your statement that a 115HP OB would be faster than a 200HP I/O. A difference of 85HP is an awful lot. A 175HP OB (or maybe even a 150HP OB) would be faster than a 200 I/O not a 115HP OB. If you still think a 115HP OB would be faster than a 200HP I/O then back it up with some facts.
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I never said a 115 OB would be FASTER. I said to COMPETE with a 200hp I/O you need about a 115hp PROP rated outboard. Remember, the 200hp inboard isn't prop rated, you're looking at about 160hp in the water. It also weighs about 400lbs more. <br /><br />So back to my original statement...yes, you get more HP with an I/O for the same money, but for the same money you don't get a faster boat.
 
D

dajohnson53

Lieutenant Commander
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Apr 28, 2004
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1,627
Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

Originally posted by eeboater:<br /> ...<br /><br />The main reasons I don't want to go with an OB are honestly selfish ones. First, I personally don't like the noisy outboard hanging off the back of the boat. The I/O always seemed like it made cruising more comfortable. By that, I mean when you are going through a couple miles of No Wake Zones, I want to be able to hear the radio and talk with the people in the boat with me at the same time. <br /><br />In addition to that, I feel OB's are just plain ugly. Call it girly, call it stupid, call it what you want -- but when I'm forking over a decent amount of $$$ I want my boat to be attractive (at least in my eyes.)<br /><br />What are your opinions. Pros, cons, neutral opinions on the two different types of motors? Why would you get one on your "new" boat and not the other?<br /><br />Sean
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I've given my pros and cons and I see the thread covers them nicely. I quoted your statement, because this is exactly what it boils down to - your personal needs, and PREFERANCE. There's no right and wrong answer. I happen to love outboards rather than inboards, but I have my own set of reasons. Your's are just as good. Have fun with your boat!
 
Boatist

Boatist

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Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

I was going to stay out of this one but too many points not made. Today I do not think there is a bad outboard or a bad I/O but there are differences.<br /><br />1. An I/O weighs more than the same HP outboard. That makes an outboard better right? It really depends on your use. Out offshore in 8 foot seas the I/O is better. The weight is farther forward and has a lower center of gravity. This means in big swells the boat rolls less. The weight foward helps to hold the bow into the wave for a better ride. The weight lower and heavier means boat less likely to turn over if you get caught sideways on a big wave. The weight farther forward lets the stern rise quicker on a big following sea.<br /><br />2. Your are 20 miles form nearest safe harbor and in the last 30 minutes winds have changed from 5 knots to 35 knots with higher gust. You decide to head in and the motor turn over but will not start. You trouble shoot and find no spark. With the outboard you are done. With the I/O you open the engine cover check the voltage to the coil then pull the distributer cap and check the points, change or adjust the points and you are back underway.<br /><br />In a inland lake as a skier. I/O you have a nice full width swim platform the outboard you got a tiny 2 foot wide swim platform.<br /><br />Everyone says outboards have more room but do they. Many have outboards have a big motor well that waist a lot of space. I/O have a deck good for sunning and ahead of that they have a motor cover also good for sunning and sitting or a fishing platform.<br /><br />Until recently I/O got better fuel mileage. Today DFI two cycles and 4 cycle outboards get good mileage also.<br /><br />Anchored and fishing in a river I like an I/O better. As you line poles up acrossed the back of the boat none of the poles or lines will hit the motor.<br /><br />In the event of total engine failure you can replace the whole outboard Quicker if you can afford $10,000 or more dollers for a new motor.
 
C

crazy charlie

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Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

It all depends on the size of the boat .Small boat outboard ONLY.Charlie
 
S

swist

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

I diasgree with two of your points - (1) an I/O engine is somewhat more forward of an outboard, but you haven't moved it enough to make up for more than double the weight (unless you have some sort of center-engine design with a jackshaft). Obviously it depends on the exact weights and positions but there is more likely still more weight aft with the I/O.<br /><br />And (2) my experience fishing from an I/O is no better or worse - yeah you don't have the motor powerhead sticking up to prevent movement of lines and fishermen, but you have a lower unit which cannot be tilted out of the water completely like an o/b, and it is very susceptible to snagging lines and then having a real hard time unsnagging them.
 
Boatist

Boatist

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Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

Swist<br />1. Your right the I/O does weigh a lot more and the center of gravity is a lot lower. I guess a lot depends on what type outboard you have and how it is mounted. Today I would not buy anything but a 4 cycle in a outboard which is still lighter than the I/O but out here many Outboards are mounted 2 and 1/2 feet aft of the transom. This makes quite a difference in weight distribution and also give the outboard quite a lever to hold the stern down.<br /><br />2. Again this depends on your rig. My I/O does lift completely out of the water. Sea weed or kelp rapped around the prop no problem. Just lift it out of the water and unwrap it. My I/O also has 90 degree turning. You are right most newer model I/O only lift 60 degrees not 90 degrees like mine. On the other hand I have fished on many bass boats with Outboards that would not come close to lifting out of the water. Lines caught on the prop/outdrive to me not a big deal as in over 50 years of fishing I have never had it happend on any of my boats. This may be because anyone I take on my boat fishing before we launch I take them to the back of the boat and point out both motors and the trim tabs. All unfriendly to fishing line. I explain to never let line get near the stern. I also explain how to work the rod to get the line to the other side and not snag the drives. When drifting or trolling with a fish on I will work one of the motors to insure lines never get near the outdrives. I will admit luck has also played a part. I remenber one 90 lb Sturgeon hooked that swam right at the boat and guy though he missed it and was realing in to rebait. The sturgeon swam right to the side of the boat then under the boat and jumped completely out of the water within 5 feet of the boat on the other side. We did land the fish some 20 minutes later but was lucky. This guy ahd never caught anything bigger than a 2 lb catfish before.
 
M

murphini

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Jun 17, 2004
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Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

I vote for the I/O. <br />THere was a great article in the latest Boating Magazine that compared Horsepower vs. Torque. <br /><br />We have a family boat 20' bowrider and pull tubes and skiiers. The key is the torque to get a skiier out of water at lower RPMS. Outboards do have more horsepower, but torque/pulling power not as satisfying.<br /><br />My wife/daughter also like the large sunpad. I like the sound of the V8. <br /><br />If I lived on the ocean or very cold climate, an OB may be better, but in the midwest on a freshwater lake, I/O's the way to go.
 
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Captn Dave

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Dec 5, 2001
Messages
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Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

I vote for OB's. I started out with smaller OB's, then went to straight inboards for awhile. I agree with Buttanic on their simplicity and ease to work on. The 23' Seacraft that I had was the best sea going boat I've ever owned. It would go through anything. But for the last 16 years I've been using OB's. I do a lot of beaching and the OB operability in shallow water is great for that. <br />I've never owned an I/O but have been on several. There seems to be too many head aches as far as maitenance is concerned with the outdrives and I hate all the room the engine takes up in the back of the boat.<br /><br />Hey Buttanic, I use to have a 22" CC fiberglass Cutlass. Great boat. What style and what year is yours?
 
eeboater

eeboater

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Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

The arguement that you can lift the OB out of the water while you can't lift an IO completely out of the water doesn't matter if you are trailering your boat, does it?<br /><br />Sean
 
K

KCook

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Jan 24, 2002
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Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

Originally posted by eeboater:<br /> The arguement that you can lift the OB out of the water while you can't lift an IO completely out of the water doesn't matter if you are trailering your boat, does it?<br /><br />Sean
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True. I/O rigs are fine for trailering. In an extreme case, the ramp is so shallow that you have to drag the boat off the trailer, then OB would give you more margin for error.<br /><br />Kelly
 
S

swist

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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Jul 1, 2004
Messages
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Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

"The arguement that you can lift the OB out of the water while you can't lift an IO completely out of the water doesn't matter if you are trailering your boat, does it?"<br /><br />The discussion was about fishing - the assertion was it was easier to untangle things from an outboard as it could come all the way out. And its not just fishing lines, lobster pot warps are a big snagger of outdrives around here. You'll see boats up here (Maine) are either full inboard with a cage around the prop, or outboard. Very few I/Os. They are also hell to protect from marine growth in slatwater - another reason they are rare.....
 
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Ralph 123

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Jun 24, 2003
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Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

I/Os are rare in Maine? They are the majority down here in Boston... my gut tells me 3to 1. Plenty of traps too but that's what makes boating fun! Dogging the traps!
 
T

Tom2697

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 30, 2004
Messages
49
Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

I/O's will last in salt water fine if they are maintained properly (change the zincs!!!). <br /><br />Drive gearing will compensate for engine torque since it is the prop and not the flywheel that pushes the boat. Newer outboards have lower gearing now for this reason...<br /><br />An outboard is just as easy/complicated as an I/O to work on, depending upon the year of each motor.<br /><br />Some outboards do not lift completely from the water and some I/O's do lift completely out of the water. It all depends upon the brand motor and the boat hull it is mounted on.<br /><br />A thru-hull exhaust is as loud as a 2-stroke outboard, if not louder. A 4-stroke or new 2-stroke outboard is as quiet as a thru-prop exhaust I/O, if not quieter.<br /><br />Replacing an I/O will cost the same as replacing an outboard if you just replace the powerhead in the outboard. If you buy a new outboard, it will cost the same as replacing an I/O if you also replace the lower unit of the I/O. (Apples to apples here!!!)<br /><br />My point it: if there was one reason why a certain setup was better than the other, there would only be that type of setup. But, the manufacturers know who their competition is both in comparison products and supplemental products and they know what they need to do to compete against both of them. This is why outboards are getting quieter and I/O's are getting smaller and lighter. It is also why jet boats are becoming popular....because there is no perfect setup. It all depends upon the boater's personal taste.
 
B

Buttanic

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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Sep 25, 2003
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Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

Wave, my Chris Craft Cutlass is a 77 center console. I just started restoring it. It needs a ton of work but I love the classic lines of the hull. I hope to have it in like new condition by next June.
 
R

rwjacobs

Seaman Apprentice
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Feb 25, 2002
Messages
42
Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

An OB would look really stupid on a cabin cruiser..... That said, I think they both have there place. If you are looking for speed, I guess OB can't be beat. In my opinion, if you are looking for esthetics, I/O, or inboard would be it.<br /><br />One other thing I did not see mentioned, is the fact that an OB can go slower when you want to troll.<br /><br />Which gets me to the next, I have waaaayyyy more space at the stern with my I/O for fishing than I would with an OB.<br /><br />Ronald
 
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