I/O or OB

[cterrebonne]

Originally Posted by Monterey10

I agree with the above. The OB is superior in all ways. A recent test of identical Trophy fishing boats, one with an I/O, the other with a O/B, showed the O/B was superior in all ways, hole shot, fuel efficiency, top speed etc etc.

That said, in California, the 2008 and newer O/Bs will need to be smogged every two years or the engine switches to "trouble mode". The local dealers are licking their chops at having required service. My local Merc dealer averages $500 to $600 to service an engine. I can see why, he had to buy a $30,000 computer and cables to plug into the newer engines. Once the engine is plugged in, the computer diagnoses any problems. Then, the computer sends the report to the State, verifying smog is completed.

I like the concept, but for a small time operator, I'll stick with my funky old I/Os. I can change bellows, grease ujoints, time a points distributor, rebuild the carb, drain the block and manifolds in the spring. None of this is hard to do, none of this cost $600.

a 30,000 computer? $500-$600 what is the labor rate? dude someone is getting the shaft and thats a fact.i know things are expensive and ridiculous in cali but unless that computer is govt issued and its a standard toughbook with merc software its not 30,000. that is very interesting.