Why an outboard?

[macojoe]

I have had both, and OB is so much easier to work on, and much less maintenance!!
There is so many parts on a I/O and you are always working on something! Car motors should never see the ocean!!

OB pro: easier to maintain, easier to repair, easy to replace
Con: Nosier, more gas, if going new much more to replace

I/O Pro: great on gas, quite, cheaper to repower
Con: Lots to maintain, never stop replacing rusted parts, harder to work on as most are squeezed into a hole half the size of the motor

OB getting much better with noise, and gas, but with a price!! A 200 hp complete with install and set up is $15K at least, then you can't work on them any more!

[eight]

It seems maybe closed loop cooling systems are less common than I thought. I figured any saltwater fishing boat would have the closed loop.

As mentioned, I got to agree, it's that two stroke smell. I'm addicted to it, it is the smell of fun toys. Boats, dirt bikes, snowmobiles......for those that have been hit by the 2stroke aroma it is as bad as crack............except bettera!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[spareparts]

run some klotz 2 stroke, it smells better

[reelapeelin]

Originally Posted by spareparts

run some klotz 2 stroke, it smells better

Gotta try some in mine!!...JK....


Have to agree w/space issue on this size boat...I/O would take spot where my bait tank sits when striper fishin'...also agree w/salt water issues brought up earlier...OBs better suited hands down

[regidog]

I prefer I/Os cause I can do the work myself as the engines are th same as a car, but in shallow areas I would go with an outboard cause you can lift the OB and float off a sandbar etcc. with an I/O you are stuck.

[rb437]

Originally Posted by regidog

I prefer I/Os cause I can do the work myself as the engines are th same as a car, but in shallow areas I would go with an outboard cause you can lift the OB and float off a sandbar etcc. with an I/O you are stuck.

In the trailer position the outdrive is high enough to be even with the keel so I think sand bars would not be a problem. But even the trailer position is not high enough to get the outdrive out of the water. So if your boat stays in the water I would choose an outboard. My boat is an I/O with fresh water (closed) cooling system. The engine is approaching 20 years of use in the Chesapeake bay and still running strong.