Outboard or I/O (NDR)

John Augustine

John Augustine

Well-known member
I'm looking at a larger boat for fishing. With all the experience here I'll ask what are the advantages to either a I/O or an outboard. I'm looking at a 17-18 ft boat. I've only had small outboards but saw a couple nice boats with 4 cyl I/Os. What do you think?
Thanks, John
 
Just a couple of my own personal observations John...

In most cases, an I/O does not allow to check the prop for weeds / damage without taking the boat out of the water or busting out SCUBA gear.

Though it's my understanding that a busted I/O will be much more friendly on the check book. Fortunately I have not tested this for myself yet.
Outboards will usually provide a much more readily accessible fuel tank...you know, just in case your fuel gauge doesn't work and you get stuck in the middle of the channel with an empty tank. Unless of course the boat has a built in tank.

For fishing purposes I still prefer the I/O...a trailerable boat I would likely prefer the outboard. It's all a matter of preference, It's just like the boat itself, either one may outshine the other in certain circumstances, but be inferior in other situations.

By the way, somebody just put a Sylvan up for sale in my neighborhood sporting a 70 horse OB. I'll get the number for you if you're interested in checking it out. Good luck with the boat shopping.

Steve
 
I would not have an I/O in the salt, but I think for fresh water it would be fine because you shouldn't have corrosion issues. Personally, I would only have an outboard on a smaller boat. Easier to work on, everything is right there when it is out of the water, generally easy to take care of.
 
Thanks Greg,
There are a ton of them here on the great lakes. I think preventive maintenance is the key to keeping them trouble free.
I think!! But that's why I asked, John
 
Well John, I will put it the best way I can= If someone made me take a free sterndrive I would have a BIG fire. Almost everything about a sterndrive is expensive and complicated. Do not think that just because the engines are automotive based that you can use auto parts when something fails, MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE. Obviously there are others out there that will disagree with me but that is my humble opinion. Never owned a sterndrive but have dealt with many many broken ones. If you should choose to go to the dark side be careful not to buy one that has been frozen. ;<Ono
 
For a 17 /18 I would go with an outboard. Stern drive boats,aka ,Bust out another thousand, are great until they not.
 
I am with everyone else, Outboard all the way.
If someone gave me a stern-drag, I would sell it and get another boat immediately.
Other than the complicated steering & tilt mechanism and the inability to raise & clear the prop, why on earth you would want to cut hole that large in a transom is beyond me.
Plus they are heavy.
 
Outboard is the way to go, mechanics I know refer to IO's as needing "Imminent Overhaul". Great for their business.
 
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I have owned both, in the size you are considering I would say outboard 100%. On that size boat even repowering isnt THAT expensive, there are many good used 90hp-150-hp outboards out there. Swapping motors if needed isn't that hard. No crawling in tight spaces for oil changes or service, just lift the cowling and go to work. Another thing I didnt see mentioned is room in the boat. On a boat that size an inboard takes up alot of space and even if it serves as a seat the are usually in the way, outboard is either on a bracket or the transom. Just my opinion. Good luck and if you want a 25 footer with 2 outboards let me know ;)
 
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