Why I/O? (I'ts February in Wisconsin)

[gixxerjim]

I have always like the looks of I/O boats over outboards, and for reasons I can't really nail down they seem safer for having children in the boat. I have an I/O Sea Ray and I love it. However, there are more tangible arguments in favor of outboards regarding performance and weight and maintenance etc. However again, Sea Ray for example doesn't even sell outboards anymore from what I have heard.

What do you all think?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Why I/O? (I'ts February in Wisconsin)

This subject has been discussed ad nauseum on this site. Here's the most recent from a week ago http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=373621

 

[paulspaddle]

Re: Why I/O? (I'ts February in Wisconsin)

Hey gixxerjim...this i/o vs. outboard debate will either go for pages or a few posts depending on 'mood' out there at the moment.

Have a look at this...

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=373621&highlight=i/o+vs+outboard

or this one....

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=373621&highlight=i/o+vs+outboard

hmmmm, how about this

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=352554&highlight=i/o+vs+outboard

Not done reading, here ya go.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=270953&highlight=i/o+vs+outboard

my cut/paste is getting tired....there's more though!

 

[paulspaddle]

Re: Why I/O? (I'ts February in Wisconsin)

This subject has been discussed ad nauseum on this site. Here's the most recent from a week ago http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=373621

DUH - you beat me Ezmobee....but I put up more links!

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Why I/O? (I'ts February in Wisconsin)

I think boats with multiple outboards are the coolest. Say like maybe 2 250hp or 3 200's anything cool like that, lots of HP and no big hole in the transom and no heavy iron big block V8.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Why I/O? (I'ts February in Wisconsin)

I think boats with multiple outboards are the coolest. Say like maybe 2 250hp or 3 200's anything cool like that, lots of HP and no big hole in the transom and no heavy iron big block V8.

Yeah, I'm sure that heavy 'ol iron V8 pushing out 500HP will weigh much more than 2-250HP Outboards, especially when the entire weight of the outboards is hanging off the back of the boat as opposed to inside the transom wall. Or two 300HP I/O's as opposed to 3 - 200's. Weight x Arm = Moment, my friend. The only downside to an I/O in my opinion is the necessity to have rubber bellows as the weak point. Gas fumes are irradicated by the bilge blower.

No one wants outboards ruining the sexy lines of their boat, or to have to listen to that d@mn thing makin a racket all the time.

 

[skargo]

Re: Why I/O? (I'ts February in Wisconsin)

What's better, Chevy or Ford?

4x4 vs 2x4

Automatic vs Manual

Big Mac vs Whopper

Coke vs Pepsi

Ginger vs Mary Ann

Front to back vs Back to front

Mac vs PC

Cable vs Satellite

Beatles vs The Stones

Blonds vs Brunettes

Stalin vs Hitler

Fat Elvis vs Skinny Elvis

Searching vs not searching...

You get the idea.

 

[paulspaddle]

Re: Why I/O? (I'ts February in Wisconsin)

What's better, Chevy or Ford?

4x4 vs 2x4

Automatic vs Manual

Big Mac vs Whopper

Coke vs Pepsi

Ginger vs Mary Ann

Front to back vs Back to front

Mac vs PC

Cable vs Satellite

Beatles vs The Stones

Blonds vs Brunettes

Stalin vs Hitler pass

Fat Elvis vs Skinny Elvis

Searching vs not searching...

You get the idea.

Did I pass?

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Why I/O? (I'ts February in Wisconsin)

Did I pass?

No.

The Stones are nowhere near as good as the Beatles.

And a Mac over a PC?

Brother!

 

[paulspaddle]

Re: Why I/O? (I'ts February in Wisconsin)

No.

The Stones are nowhere near as good as the Beatles.

And a Mac over a PC?

Brother!

The Stones and Beatles are arguable.....the Mac is not! You Mac non-user you.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Why I/O? (I'ts February in Wisconsin)

Yeah, I'm sure that heavy 'ol iron V8 pushing out 500HP will weigh much more than 2-250HP Outboards, especially when the entire weight of the outboards is hanging off the back of the boat as opposed to inside the transom wall. Or two 300HP I/O's as opposed to 3 - 200's. Weight x Arm = Moment, my friend. The only downside to an I/O in my opinion is the necessity to have rubber bellows as the weak point. Gas fumes are irradicated by the bilge blower.

No one wants outboards ruining the sexy lines of their boat, or to have to listen to that d@mn thing makin a racket all the time.

I can tell by your post that you know outboards are better, maybe you just dont want to admit it in such a public forum ?
Also 2 engines are nice incase your out on a big pond and an engine breaks down on right ?
2 Stroke Outboards RULE. Make mine a big block Etec.
Many people love the song of a high performance engine and do not mind the noise.

4 more mos. till decently warm boating unless this global change is switching it up. :redface:

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: Why I/O? (I'ts February in Wisconsin)

It's February in Wisconsin, and we're bored stiff? Is that what started this one?

I know the been there, done that to going through this again, but here is my almost worthless opinion:

I/O for me. This boat is for general fun, diving and tubing. O/B "kinda" gets in the way and ruins the sleek appearance.

Next boat, cruiser... I/O.

Boat after, Offshore Fishing... O/B, simply better.

Final Boat, Sport Fisherman... Diesels and drive shafts, simply the best.

And, I must agree, seeing 4 or 5 big high HP O/B's on the back end of a boat designed for them is impressive.

Well that's my share of trying to shake a little boredom.

 

[Campylobacter]

Re: Why I/O? (I'ts February in Wisconsin)

Its February here (NC) too. After 3 weeks of sub freezing weather, yesterday it goes 60 degrees! Without an OB, no way I get a afternoon on the water.

It was a very nice outing, thanks for asking.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Why I/O? (I'ts February in Wisconsin)

I can tell by your post that you know outboards are better, maybe you just dont want to admit it in such a public forum ?

Lol, outboards have their place. I prefer them on bass boats or for those who wish to get out in freezing temps, otherwise I'll keep my I/O. I'll rev my 300HP cast iron v8 and you rev your 300HP outboad and we'll see who gathers a bigger crowd.

Again, outboards have their place, but if the boat is 3,500lbs or more, no thanks.

 

[81 beachcomber]

Re: Why I/O? (I'ts February in Wisconsin)

all i can say is DEFINETLY mary ann

 

[skargo]

Re: Why I/O? (I'ts February in Wisconsin)

Its February here (NC) too. After 3 weeks of sub freezing weather, yesterday it goes 60 degrees! Without an OB, no way I get a afternoon on the water.

It was a very nice outing, thanks for asking.

So no way I could drop my closed cooled I/O in the water in that situation? Huh, learn something every day.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Why I/O? (I'ts February in Wisconsin)

Yep the never ending debate....when we were buying our boat there were no cheaper used boats with the newer 4 stroke or DI outboards so we would have had to have a carbed 2 stroke which woudn't bother me but it for sure would bother my wife and the rest of our family....so we went with the IO and I like it for the ease of do it yourself repairs and the price of parts...but keeping one in good shape in salt water is tough...the anti fouling paints for aluminum don't work that well...I would consider an OB for our next boat because the growing pains of DI 2 strokes seem to be past and mechanics are becoming more familiar with them and the 4 strokes...as far as safety well some would say that an OB is safer (with a closed transom...that is...) because of no possibility of igniting fumes in the bilge and no bellows to leak...but I'd never have one with a notched transom...that just makes me nervous...yeah I know it lets the water out when you gun it but still.....

 

[grego]

Re: Why I/O? (I'ts February in Wisconsin)

All that being said. If your engine goes bellyup, do you "A"= Strip down your boat "with" little knowledge of repair? Boat down, for at least a month or two. or do you "b"= lift the engine off, set another in place, hook up cables and fuel line and back in the water by the weekend? OH! workspace on an i/o is very limited. hope you like working upside down.

 

[JimMH]

Re: Why I/O? (I'ts February in Wisconsin)

I have owned Outboards, true inboards and my last two boats have been I/O's. They all have their pros and cons. The OBs are great for year round boating as they require little for winterizing and top end to HP is usually greater. I have owned 4 inboards 1 nautique and 3 Master Crafts. All had 351PCM inboards. They would pull up five people on slaloms at the same time, believe me we did it. They lacked the top end of the OB and the IO and because they were true ski boats they would beat the crap out of you on a rough day. The I/O's I have owned have been very comfortable riding boats with plenty of power. I have a family and I prefer a bowrider and over 20ft bow riders are primarily I/O's. The lakes I go to are fairly large and can get really rough so deep Vee is a must. Not putting the others down I just perfer a I/O to an OB.

 

[grego]

Re: Why I/O? (I'ts February in Wisconsin)

jim Have you had an I/o screw up? Take it to shop and ask, "when do i get it back" they will say weeks but! it will be months." Buy a new outboard" and it will be ready by the weekend. trust me! Just wondering? saw a u-tube video that did show a big water northern rescue boat with four 225 outboads on it, and gulf coast search and resc. with two 225 outboads.

"Thats some bad hat harey"