I/O or Outboard

[BiggestT]

I have a Blackman 20 center console with a Volvo AQAD31A diesel and 290 DP outdrive. Prior boat was a Sea Ox 20 center console with a Mercury 175 hp pre mix outboard.

Engine box vs outboard? First off, I'd hate to deal with an outboard on a bracket. Never have; never will. You get used to the engine box. I've reconfigured mine so that I can easily walk (not side step) between the engine box and bait tank. All big game fish such as marlin or large threshers are fished from the bow anyway. Chasing a fish is far easier using the pointy end of the boat. If we take the fish, we gaff them alongside the boat, never at the transom. Outboards can and do get in the way. The Volvo DP 290 drive will suck in any line that gets near it.

Maintenance? Outboards are like a self contained unit. When they go, you replace the unit. I've never liked working on outboards. Todays modern electronics for either the two stroke or the four stroke outboards practically eliminate the home mechanic. I'm fortunate with my mechanical injection diesel as it's pretty simple to understand and easy for the home mechanic to work on. I pretty much do all the work myself, save for serious work on the outdrive.

Reliability? Outboards, especially two stroke, go boom. Four stroke outboards and diesels stop running, but rarely go boom if you stay on top of things. The two strokes tend to grenade at the littlest things.

Fuel economy: There's no comparing an outboard to my diesel. Generally it's double anything out there in the outboards. In the outboards, I'd prefer four stroke over two stroke as you'll generally get slightly better mileage and much longer life with the four.

If you aren't one to work on your own engines, then get the outboard and make it a four stroke.

[chuck merkel]

Everyone will have opinions on which type of motor based upon their experiences (good or bad). My first boat (purchased in 1991 and sold in 1995) had a Yamaha 90 HP two stroke outboard. My current boat (purchased in 2005) has a Volvo D3 diesel with an SX (single prop) outdrive. Both of these motors were reliable propulsion. I did all my own work on the outboard at the manufacturer's specified intervals and never had to have a professional mechanic perform any corrective maintenance. I have had the diesel professionally maintained and had to have the motor pulled once for corrective maintenance that was within warranty. Since the repair I have had no problems with the diesel. One thing that you get with a diesel that you typically don't get with a gas I/O is a fresh water cooling system that will reduce corrosion issues. There is still a heat exchanger that has to be flushed, but the sea water system is less prone to corrosion issues.

As far as fuel economy, my diesel is much more economical. I know that outboard economy is better than it used to be, particularly with four stroke engines but I believe that diesel is still better. In a day of trolling with my outboard I would typically burn 30-35 gallons of gas. My current boat burns about 15 gallons of diesel for a similar day of fishing. Of course I now deal with diesel prices that are significantly higher than gas prices...

Regardless of your choice of propulsion, you need to invest the time and money to maintain it properly. It has been a long time since I dealt with my outboard motor and the technology has changed significantly - in two strokes and the four strokes.

There are lots of options. Research it thoroughly. In your research I would recommend that you talk with professional mechanics in your area who are trained/certified to work on the engines that you are considering. They should be able to provide some recommendations. I hope this helps.

[MATTANZA]

outboard, or maybe better yet an inboard direct drive.

[rickp]

Chuck, thanks for the recommendation. I will check around with some of the local mechanics and see what they say concerning maintenance and reliability. The big thing that is holding me back right now is price. As I search around, most of the boats in my price range are I/O. Maybe I need to stretch my wallet alittle more.

[A-Fishy-Nado]

Originally Posted by 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

What outdrive does it have? Stay far the fuck away from any omc drive. You want Volvo or Mercruiser. Also make sure to check the condition of the oil if its milky get them to get it sealed up or reduce price accordingly.Inspect the driveshaft and exhaust bellows boots for cracking and make sure they are not brittle. With any boat check the wiring to make sure its marine wiring and the have used heat shrink connectors and the wires arent growing green funk. Also check engine oil for moisture and smell it, does it smell like fuel? If so it will need major work possible overhaul. Bring along a mechanicly inclined friend with a multi-meter to check the charging system. An infa-red thermometer is good to bring too you can make sure its hitting on all cylinders and check the cooling system too. Make sure the trailer is in good shape that its aluminum or galvanized. Doesn't hurt to pull a wheel off and look at the bearings either. And when you find the boat you want make sure you buy a repair manual and the good high dollar marine batts such as AGM's from West Marine. If its an I/O boat immeadiately pull your exhaust risers and inspect them for corrosion, you will be able to inspect the exhaust manifolds with them off too, you will need new gaskets for them from the dealer but they are cheap compared to a new engine. While you at it buy a new impeller and install it save the old one for a get me homer. Sorry for the rant I hate to see someone take it up the ass. Well good luck hope to see you on the water soon! Any questions let me know.

[ranchero]

IO's have plenty of torque and deliver a good ride. I own a 4.3 in a 20ft skip. It rides great, It's a bit of maintenance, a new motor is 2k (big deal) and is pretty easy to drop in. 3 200 lb guys on one rail along with a 9.9 kicker- and it barely lists. Some of these POS boats with lofty price tags can barely handle that...

That being said- They are fucking car engines and the quality is nothing near an outboard that is really made for the environment. I will say that the outdrives are pretty solid. I have an alpha one and let a shop maintain it once a year, and have had no problems. The inners on a 4.3 vortec GM base engine is not too impressive. The cheap-ass GM marine division should actually manufacture a marine gas engine and exhaust system that negates valve overlap issues. Until they do that...Fuck em I say!. I'd buy one used - like in a used skipjack- but would never select one new as an option on any new boat- I'd go diesel in anything 24 ft and over- or I'd drop to 23 and go outboard...

But then again...I'd never buy a new boat.

If you don't want to mess w/ engine maint- OUTBOARD!

Some boats are weighty and are designed for 4 strokes-

Some are lighter and need 2 stroke- example 21-23 invader marine center console- gets about 4.5 mpg with an etec. 4 stroke too heavy...


Figure out what hull you want and go from there. (Everyone should own one I/O- just for the maint aspect...). My 20 ft skipjack rides killer and gets the mileage of a new 4 stroke w/ a 4.3 v6 and 2 barrel carb and alpha one gen2. My maint is probably 4x's that an outboard but I like maint or I would not own one.

[ranchero]

for a 19 20 ft boat...no brainer...
OB!

[UnReel]

Outboards are great untill they break then it's $$$$ time. If I could afford a new boat with a new outboard I'd go outboard but a used boat with a used outboard is $$$ waiting to be spent.
My 24 skip open cost less to buy, put on a new aluminum trailer, rig with electronics (FF, GPS, Radar), install a 50gln b-tank , added an arch and bimini with eisenglass and even dropping in a new 5.7 350 vortec last year (2k) the price was less than just a new big outboard by itself. Prob have 18k into the whole boat. Maintanance hasn't been much of an issue on it either and I can work on what breaks myself. Boat has never left me stranded or borke down on the water. What's the going rate for a marine mech. now a days, $85 to a $100 an hr? for that I'll deal with risers and manifolds ect. myself JMO.

[boatsinc]

outboards are alot easier to maintain and their warranries are alot better..
ie: mercruiser and volvo offer a 2year standard warranty plus extra years you can purchase.
outboard the norm is 3 years but everyone is offering 5 plus standard years.
honda 5 years
suzuki 6 years
yamaha 6 years.
and e-tec 5 years.. im not sure on this one.. i dont sell them...

[78sharpshooter]

Outboard for sure. Cast iron and saltwater were never meant to be together. If a I/O had bronze manifolds and risers and freshwater cooling I would consider one.