I/O boat motor question

Mark W

Mark W

Well-known member
I am in the market for a "speed boat" and man has it been a long time since I have looked a boats of this type. New - forget it. Name brand speed boats of 20-21' in the $65,000 range on up (and many less than that as well). Used it is.


When buying most anything used, I can usually determine if the saleable item is a good deal, in good condition, or will be more work that worth it. I'm having difficulty making this decision on a used boat. I have found many that I think will work but am uncomfortable buying a boat in the middle of winter without seeing and hearing it run. I doubt most individual sellers will let me buy the boat on the condition that it runs come ice out.


One thing I do not understand. I have come across I/O's that are both fuel injected of some type and ones that are carb'ed. I have read pro's and con's of each and there are merits for each. Since I am buying "pre-owned", I want reliable and inexpensive to fix should something be wrong. I like to think of myself as being able to fix some things but truth be told, if there were problems with the boat motor, I'd likely have someone else fix it.


So what advice can you share on I/O's carb'ed verses injected?


I have so far found a nice newer Regal that is close by (2012), a couple of Crownlines (2006 carbe'ed, 2003 injected) and just came across an older Cobalt (1998) that appears to be in perfect condition.


Thoughts? Any other advice on purchasing a bow rider in the 19-22' range


Thanks -


Mark
 
I know you're asking about I/O's...but I can't help but throw in some fun I've had at a friend's cabin.....Hurricane Sundeck 21' with 225 hp Honda Outboard. Has alot to offer the family for fun, skiing, tubing, fishing, bimini, changing closet...just a great handling boat. If you haven't seen one, take a look. Hurricane does offer I/O's also. I/O's need more water to float in also...
 
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It just so happens I'm certified to survey boats. I don't do many mostly for guys I know that do six pack charters. I would be very careful buying a boat in the winter. In any boat 10 years or older I would check the transom and stringers closely. The problem is in the winter everything is frozen so there could be rot and you would have no way of knowing. The best way to check for rot is to use a plastic dead blow hammer tapping on any place you think might have water intrusion or rot. A nice solid tone is what you want. If there is rot there would be a dead thud. I would be more concerned about the I/O unit over the motor. There are a lot of moving parts and regular maintenance is very important to avoid high dollar repairs. On the motor side it has to be winterized right or all kinds of things will freeze and break. I had a women buy a 19ft. Crownline on Ebay and when she got the boat the floor, stringers, and transom were rotted and OH buy the way the block was cracked. Fortunately she was able to go back on Ebay and they refunded her money in full and I ended up with the boat for free. It runs nice now. When it comes to used boats it's BUYER beware as you will have very little recourse if there is a problem. Good luck.

Tom
 
I'll ask, why an I/O vs. outboard?

I/O is more parts, more maintenance and more seals to fail. Small holes in the hull are bad enough, but the one for an I/O is a huge hole.

Given the advancements in big block 4 strokes, I would consider an outboard.
 
I/O is not my first choice nor is a speed boat. If I was the only one making the decision it would be and trinpontoon boat with an ice 4 stroke on the back. Unfortunately I am not the only one involved in the decision making process.

I have looked for used boats in the 19-22' range with outboard motors as this would be preferable to me. Can't find any. All I/O's or straight inboards when I come across straight ski boats. Also see many Yamaha jet boats which I have little interest in. Thus the reason for the I/O choice.

I guess my guestion boils down to carbed or injected. I am only interested in purchasing from a place I would have zero issues with or someplace I would have recourse should I be sold a boat that turns out to be less than solid. My family has purchased boats from onenof these dealers before and the owners kid I coached in both hockey and baseball. Hope he wouldn't sell me junk.

I am unsure ifncarbed is bad or not. I know the reasons for moving to injected motors but know they still make carbed boats as well.

Mark
 
If you came down the Gulf Coast, outboard powered boats in that size range are everywhere. Only a 18-20 hour drive!
 
I/Outta bought an out board:) Kidding aside I have 3 ski boats at work,2 Sea ray's and a Chriscraft. The 21 sea ray bow rider has a 455 carb'd, the 18 Searay is fuel injected and the chris craft is carb'd. If they're used often they are all fine. The 455 doesn't like to start if it sits
 
Mark, For every excuse to buy a I/O I can give you 5 reasons not to. Please get in touch with me to have a chat about this one.
 
Mark, For every excuse to buy a I/O I can give you 5 reasons not to. Please get in touch with me to have a chat about this one.
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Agreed, Repair, maintenance ,draft. Pulling the entire drive train replace simple repairs,and on,and on. I have been offered a few I/0 for almost free. Never
B.O.A.T. Break out another thousand
 
If you go with an I/O stick with Mercruiser or OMC Cobra drive units. Stay away from Volvo Penta there parts cost would require another second job.

Tom
 
Thanks everyone for the advice. Here I thought buying a boat would be fun. I grew up with a boat and loved every minute of it. Now when I have to be the owner and responsible party, it isn't looking to be much fun.


Here is how I see this playing out. Diane wants a speed boat to pull kids on tubes and whatnot. I don't see this happening much as both our kids are out of the house and leading their own lives. Maybe a couple of times a year someone woul want to go skiing or tubing.


I've suggested a nice tri pontoon boat but Diane keeps thinking all pontoon boats are the ones that just putt putt around the lake at 5 mph. I know the owner of Premeir and he has offered to convince Diane of the benefits of the pontoon over a speed boat. I just think that would cause more problems.


I see this boat as being around for 3 years (average time a person keeps a speed boat and switches to a pontoon at our age), selling the speed boat and buying a pontoon. So I need a nice quality boat to not give me too much trouble for 3 years.


Also been reading up quite a bit on I/O's online. From what I have read, if I were buying a boat in warm water and saltwater, I should not even have a thought of I/O's. In Minnesota, boats are in colder water with no saltwater issues. Theboats are also used for 4-5 months and then stored. Not uncommon to find 10 year old boats up here with 100-200 hours on the motor.


Wish me well. Thanks again to everyone who has taken the time to weigh in. Hopefully a nice boat is out there somewhere.


Mark
 
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