The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

[eeboater]

Well, here's another one. One of my earlier threads "Going on a test ride... need tips" started venturing into an area that I felt would warrant a whole independent thread. Many were detailing the pros/cons of the I/O vs. OB and were telling me why I should get an OB instead of an I/O when I get my first boat. <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

 

[scuttlebutt]

Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

I am new to this forum but have been around boats my whole life and outboards are just plain easier to deal with IMO.I have no experience with four stroke O/B's so all this pertains to two cycle engines. If they are fogged down and the carbs drained and the lower unit oil is changed every year before winter storage they last a very long time. I/O's are just too much hassle to store for the winter and the carbs don't seem to go as long between rebuilds and changing the oil is a drag etc. etc. Plus the obvious trim advantages OB's have. Just be sure to stick with proven models from either Merc OMC or Yamaha and stay away from Force. Plus if you run into bad luck and have an engine failure you have many more options for new/used engine selection whereas with and I/O you must find an engine that will run through your drive and getting one of those used is darn near impossible. <br /><br /> There are some user advantages to an I/O such as not having to worry about pre mix or oil injection and some do run quiet but then again four stroke O/B's have the same plusses here too. The main thing I like about I/O's is the nice flat deck at the stern which is especially nice when covered with the neighbours hot bikini laden bods all over it

 

[cuzner]

Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

I had to move away from o/b motors after my first boat. Girlfriend hated the smell and noise. I hated mixing oil.New four stroke engines take care of 2 of the isuue's.Now that I'm used to using i/o I feel more comfortable with them.I now own a 24 ft sundancer, o/b is not an option on most larger boats. If was in the market for a fishing boat or dual purpose boat, and I had the extra money I would probably buy one with a four stroke o/b.<br /><br /> Jim

 

[KCook]

Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

4 stroke OB in a heartbeat. Just as quiet as I/O. Unfortunately these are expensive and many pleasure boat builders do not offer OB models.<br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[jimmbo]

Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

I've owned both and the winner is...Newer 2 stroke OUTBOARDS!!!<br /><br />Quieter, at least the newest ones.<br />Much, much smoother, no u joints to vibrate and make noise.<br />Better fuel economy with the DFI motors<br />Oil is burnt off and you don't have to change and dispose of it, or have it leak all over the bilge.<br />Looks much nicer.<br />More room in boat.<br />Much better in shallow water<br />More manuverable(45 degree vs. 30 degrees each side).<br /><br />Love the smell of a two strokes exhaust after it has went by, unlike the stench of my I/O burning off the 30 weight synthetic

 

[ZmOz]

Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

After having one horrible nightmare after another with the outboard I bought last year, I'll be selling it in the spring and getting something with an inboard V8. Mixing oil is a pain, and it cost around $0.30 per gallon of gas for the oil. That adds up quick when you only get 2MPG. Also, if you have a major failure like I did, you can get a rebuilt automotive short block for cheap, and a running used one for even cheaper. Also, simple things like a distributor cap and rotor for my outboard cost $500 new. For an inboard it would be less than $20.<br /><br />That said, if I was going to get a new boat it would have a brand new FI 2 stroke outboard...because if I was buying a new boat, money for parts and oil wouldn't be much of an issue.

 

[RatFish]

Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

Lots of good advice above. If money is no object... 4 stroke outboard, hands down. But dollars vs. HP you get a lot more HP in an I/O for your money.

 

[Maximerc]

Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

Install dynamat inside the engine cowl , helps a lot on the noise issue.. it works great on ANY engine. Honestly they both have advantages and disagvantages .. if they didn't we all would have one or the other and every thing else would be a oddity.. kinda like the AMC Pacer

 

[ZmOz]

Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

Originally posted by RatFish:<br />But dollars vs. HP you get a lot more HP in an I/O for your money.

You do get more HP in an I/O, but dollar for dollar they are slower. It takes a 200hp inboard to compete with a 115hp (prop rated) outboard...

 

[RatFish]

Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

I don't agree ZmOz. <br /><br />Hole shot yes, top end no. Go to Boat Test and find me one 150HP outboard that has a better top speed than a 200HP I/O and I will be humbled.<br /><br />EDIT: Bowrider or Cuddy

 

[Buttanic]

Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

I have owned 7 boats over the last 30 years, 1 outboard, 5 I/O and 2 straight inboards. By far my favorite are the straight inboards. I like the clear transom and the simplicity of the straight inboard. They may not be as fast as the others but speed is not an issue for me. My latest is a 22 foot Chris Craft Cutlass with the engine under the console that I am in the process of restoring.<br /><br />Buttanic

 

[ZmOz]

Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

Originally posted by RatFish:<br /> I don't agree ZmOz. <br /><br />Hole shot yes, top end no. Go to Boat Test and find me one 150HP outboard that has a better top speed than a 200HP I/O and I will be humbled.<br /><br />EDIT: Bowrider or Cuddy

I don't have time to look around that website, but I highly doubt they compare the exact same boat with an outboard and with an inboard. HP for HP, in the exact same boat, the outboard will ALLWAYS be faster. ALLWAYS.

 

[RatFish]

Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

<snip> I highly doubt they compare the exact same boat with an outboard and with an inboard. HP for HP, in the exact same boat <snip>

No, ANY Bowrider or Cuddy. Forget about it. We will never agree. I respect your opinion. That's what makes this forum great!

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

I bought an I/O after having a smoky, noisy two-stroke engine. There is no comparison if quiet and smoke-free are important factors to you...and personally I like the clean look of the I/O myself too. It comes in handy when tubing and kneeboarding. There's nothing in the way and the back serves as a great spot to put the tube when not in use. <br /><br />In general, an I/O will cost you less when you buy. However, the maintenance factor is higher on an I/O, but not unreasonable especially if you can do your own.<br /><br />As for top speed, unless you are a speed demon going WOT everywhere or bass tournament fisherman, who cares? <br /><br />Buy what you like. We each attribute different weight to factors which we feel are important.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

I have seen direct comparisons between ob and i/o boats of the same make/model, the outboard was usually faster, despite the lower horesower, but it doesn't take much to realize why. An inboard/outdrive configuration usually weighs at least twice as much, and it usually takes at least 1/3rd more horsepower for the i/o to equal the ob. Maintenance issues in the outdrive are the i/os downfall. Yes, you can get some parts cheap for the engine, but the outdrive is so horribly expensive to repair, more difficult as well. You also have considerably more potenetial for a sinking if the bellows degrades to the point of allowing water in. You cannot tilt the outdrive out of the water like you can an outboard. Repowering is more complicated with wn inboard. No wake speeds are the quietest my old outboard is, it barely makes any noise. Synthetic or at least semi-synthetic cuts oily smoke, 4 stroke eliminates it. Anymore, its all about personal preference. I know a lot of people who feel an i/o is more classy while an outboard is more utilitarian. An outboard is what you go fishing in, and i/o is what you take the new girlfriend out on to impress her. Me, if it floats, I like it, but my personal preference if I had to choose is outboard. Ease of maintenance, repower, compact design, interior room, that is what makes the outboard stand above all others.

 

[ae708]

Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

I bought my first I/O back in '99. If I can ever find a way to get rid of it without totally losing my butt I'll get another outboard. I don't find it to be any quieter than an O/B, you can't tilt the prop out of the water to work on it, and it's slower. I just plain don't like the I/O.. the only advantage I see is that they are MUCH cheaper to buy. My whole rig cost less than an outboard motor alone.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

I have the worst of both worlds - twin I/Os with thru-hull exahust. So, I get the noise and smoke of an O/B and the weight and maintenance of I/Os.<br /><br />My next boat will be O/Bs I think. They are just so much easier to live with it seems.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

Originally posted by RatFish:<br />

<snip> I highly doubt they compare the exact same boat with an outboard and with an inboard. HP for HP, in the exact same boat <snip>

No, ANY Bowrider or Cuddy. Forget about it. We will never agree. I respect your opinion. That's what makes this forum great!

There is nothing to disagree about. This is a fact. It's like disagreeing that the sky is blue.

 

[RatFish]

Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

ZmOz says...<br /><br />

It takes a 200hp inboard to compete with a 115hp (prop rated) outboard...

Like I said, show me one 115HP OB that has a better top speed than a 200HP I/O. I suspect you won't find one. Oh that's right, you're to busy to back up your statement with facts.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: The I/O vs. Outboard Thread

RatFish, everyone here agrees with me that HP for HP, outboards are faster. Period. That's just the way it is. A 115hp outboard might not be faster than a 200hp inboard, but they will be very close. A 200hp outboard will certainly kick a 200hp inboard's as$ any day of the week in the exact same boat. End of story.