I/O or Outboard

[Bigfish69]

Originally Posted by rickp

BigFish69 thanks for the input. I have to admit I am defintely leaning toward the Outboard. Cost is a factor. Looks like a great boat you have, its just out of my price range. Also looking toward the glass boats. Got to have something that is comfy for the wife as well, so she can catch a snooze when the fish aren't biting.

Hope you find the boat that you desire. I bought a glass over wood center console well craft, its a 20 footer called the fisherman 20. Its super wide in the front and rides really well even with out trim tabs. The 200 evinrude pushes it 55 mph if i want too with the current prop. Plenty of power. If i reprop it i can get more speed but usually only cruiese between 30 and 35 offshore. The nice thing about having a little bigger engine is you dont have to work the engine as hard, for example running at 30- 35 off shore im only about half throtlle and at about 3000 rpm. I love this set up and the new evinrude power to wight ratio lets me have a little more power without overloading my transome with a heavy four stroke. The four strokes are very slow out of the hole, but once on plain are okay at keeping speed. I think this is becouse of the extra wight back there. The 2 stroke etec litterally throwes you back in your seat if you so desire,,,my buddies have niknamed it the rocket ship. Good luck with whatever you decide but do your research. Let me know what you end up with very curious. John Out

[wils]

Originally Posted by rickp

BDer's which is better and cheaper to maintain? Still looking for that new 18 to 20 ftr to replace the dingy for all around fishing and family fun. Any and all comments are appreciated.

imo neither is better or cheaper to maintain. both require annual service and both require parts from time to time. marine parts aren't cheap.
i like the outboard because it is OUTSIDE of the boat vs the inboard is a 3' x 4' box INSIDE of the boat.
Find a boat that has a newer 4-stroke already in place.

[bmachale]

Outboards. I had an I/O and loved it, until it was time to clean/replace manifolds and water pump, or it overheated because I did not. Lots of money and potential problems off shore.

[mc08066]

Hi Rickp,
I would go with an outboard especially for repairs and maintenace.
You might want to check this boat out in the listing below. I think he might take 8k in cash although he's asking for 12k and it's located in Southern California. Wife would definitely be comfy on this one plus you could venture out past the islands. Also you can go below if the fishing is slow . Good luck on your decision.

eBay Motors: Wellcraft Coastal, 25ft alum trailer. (item 280286821118 end time Nov-28-08 07:45:02 PST)=

[Bigfish69]

Originally Posted by mc08066

Hi Rickp,
I would go with an outboard especially for repairs and maintenace.
You might want to check this boat out in the listing below. I think he might take 8k in cash although he's asking for 12k and it's located in Southern California. Wife would definitely be comfy on this one plus you could venture out past the islands. Also you can go below if the fishing is slow . Good luck on your decision.

eBay Motors: Wellcraft Coastal, 25ft alum trailer. (item 280286821118 end time Nov-28-08 07:45:02 PST)=

Shit i might want this one,,,,very nice

[skipjack-20]

I vote for I/O if you like to do a little maintenance now and then, the cruising performance is so much better. As mentioned before outboards are bred strictly for there duty of marine use, the thing is if something does happen, they are an arm and a leg to fix, you could buy three new I/O engines for the price of one new O/B powerhead.

O/B's are a bit safer for noobs but I/O's are plenty safe. I had a 18 O/B boat but have been on numerous O/B boats including a couple triumph 21 w/ a 150 4stroke, a sea ark with a 175 2stroke, and a few others. the problem I have noticed with all the outboard boats I have experienced is this;

The Lighter weight of the OB causes an increase in "proposing" compared to a similar I/O. This also causes less straight line maintain characteristics (Getting batted left to right with the swell) I/o's seem to hold a straight line better, with less wheel input.

OB's compared to similar I/O's seem to have a slight edge on fuel economy, but in my opinion the problems stated above are not worth the slight gains.

When you have large following seas the O/B's, even the 4strokes seem to get really loaded down when they go uphill on the back of a swell, the I/O seems to power through a little better. I love the fact I can set a throttle position and just forget about it, it maintains a RPM very well compared to O/B's I have experienced.

Fishing around the motor is not really a problem when you have a O/B boat but once you experience no motor to negotiate around it's kind of nice, granted the motor box inboard is a obstruction of path, it makes a nice seat and fillet board

If they had a way of designing a keel cooler that would allow for an efficient plane, a diesel I/O with keel cooling would be the ultimate set up IMO. I'm trying to come up with the concept, you never know

[Kurt]

Whatever you initially save on the I/0 you'll put back into it in maint.

[A-Fishy-Nado]

I run a 295hp V8 volvo penta inboard with a duoprop dps outdrive. I like my i/o for the following reasons. Power, I have a hell of alot more low end torque than an out board of similar hp. Economy, I have made runs to the 295 at 30kts and only burned 25 gallons getting there. Room, I like being able to fish my swim platform with an out board you dont have that. Silence, I dont have to listen to ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh or smell burning 2stroke with a following wind. And yes parts are cheaper and more available. But you must must must flush with salt away or similar product and do it religously. But the only advantage I can see is with an outbord is that you can pull start it. Just my opinion and opinions are like assholes!

[Bigfish69]

Originally Posted by A-Fishy-Nado

I run a 295hp V8 volvo penta inboard with a duoprop dps outdrive. I like my i/o for the following reasons. Power, I have a hell of alot more low end torque than an out board of similar hp. Economy, I have made runs to the 295 at 30kts and only burned 25 gallons getting there. Room, I like being able to fish my swim platform with an out board you dont have that. Silence, I dont have to listen to ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh or smell burning 2stroke with a following wind. And yes parts are cheaper and more available. But you must must must flush with salt away or similar product and do it religously. But the only advantage I can see is with an outbord is that you can pull start it. Just my opinion and opinions are like assholes!

Everyones got one,,,,asshole that is....I agree with you that the duoprop is torquey as hell and gets decsent fuel mileage....Never owned one but had buddies that did and they liked them okay. I just love the reliability of a outboard,,,but then again just my opinion

[sickcat]

Originally Posted by skipjack-20

If they had a way of designing a keel cooler that would allow for an efficient plane, a diesel I/O with keel cooling would be the ultimate set up IMO. I'm trying to come up with the concept, you never know EDITED FOR LENGTH

They have the coolers available. It just takes some glass work to get them flush mounted. Check the gridcooler from these guys.

Applications

[rickp]

BD'rs Found this on craigslist, I think it might fit the bill and definetly in the price range. Any comments?
WOW 1988 imp 22fish 4cyl,murcriuser boat SACRIFICE

88 imp 22fish 4cyl,murcruiser V-HAUL vary nice & roomy
it is a inbord outbord,has a cuddy cabin has light & windows in cabin
grate for kids or just to take a nap lots of room it is 22-foot walk around
has live well tank runs excellent SACRIFICE $3800 CALL 760-809-0978

[slimwill]

Outboard!! My current boat has I/O and i can't wait to get rid of it!!