I/O vs OB

[spareparts]

Beyond weight and performance issues, repairs and serviceability are major issues. You can take an I/O and basically break it down to three parts, engine, transom plate, and drive. Each one of these can create enough issues to total out a boat. Manifolds and risers are considered a consumable on an I/O, in salt water its advisable to replace them at least every 5 seasons(sooner for the new dryjoint Mercruisers). Salt water stays in the cooling jackets after you run your engine, so its still corroding while you sleep. The drive retails for over $5500 and without the proper tools, isn't owner repairable. Transom plate bellows need to be replaced periodically and it isn't an easy job($$$). If you neglect them, it can sink your boat or at the very least wipe out your gimbal bearing. Also consider on an I/O you are bringing raw water into the boat, any leak doesn't just add water to your bilge, its also corroding parts that shouldn't be wet. Whats just a water leak in fresh water is now a bad alternator, starter, or corroded electrical system, and I've seen stuck throttle bodies from salt spray. The labor issue in repairing an I/O makes a big difference, on an outboard you can do a four bolt tune up if it gets too bad. The newer outboards are getting more and more expensive to repair and the amount of parts involved are getting closer. The newer I/O engine are getting more and more complex as well and i see them pricing themselves out of the market. I can pick and chose components to piece together an I/O and come up with a package that would rival a new four stroke in serviceability, resistance to corrosion, and performance. But no on offers that package from a factory(it would combine elements from several different manufactures), In fresh water, it wouldn't bother me one bit to run an I/O, but in slat, I'll stick to 2 stroke outboards