Outboard vs I/O

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I will second what Ryan said about stern drives and water sports. The weight balance with a stern drive leads to it getting on plane faster in a stern drive as well, since you don't have all the weight to the back of the boat (though as with every boat a significant portion is still there). Getting in and out of the boat is easier and the rope setup is simpler with a stern drive. The way it was always told to me from a young age was that outboards are absolutely the best for fishing, inboards for water sports, and stern drives are a good balance of the two.
 
nzaugg said:
I will second what Ryan said about stern drives and water sports. The weight balance with a stern drive leads to it getting on plane faster in a stern drive as well, since you don't have all the weight to the back of the boat (though as with every boat a significant portion is still there). Getting in and out of the boat is easier and the rope setup is simpler with a stern drive. The way it was always told to me from a young age was that outboards are absolutely the best for fishing, inboards for water sports, and stern drives are a good balance of the two.
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I agree as well, although an outboard will work for most water sports it's much more convenient with an i/o. I would say if you do water sports the majority of the time and only fish once in while an inboard would probably be better, but if you primary fish and only do water occasionally then you will definitely be happier in a outboard. Any outboard with a 115hp and above will work.
 
Outboard all the way, especially if its a boat you plan to keep for a while. A well taken care of boat can feel like new after 20 years by swapping out the outboard.... something that is a lot more challenging on an I/O. Not too mention all it takes is one time you forget to do proper maintenance or an unexpected freeze cracks your block. Happened to two guys I know who were new to boats, expensive mistakes.
 
I recently bought a newer ETEC 150 2 stroke and have been blown away. Its quieter than most engines and sips fuel. Like night and day better than any modern 4 stroke. Its a bummer they are getting phased out due to the stigma of loud smokey old 2 strokes like in the past. In fact, according to the latest EPA mandates, if emissions were a concern, the 4 stroke mercurys would be outlawed before the etecs... but the market pushes forward like most things. Maybe Biden will bring back the V8 johnsons.... if fishing and smaller boats is your thing, than outboards all the way.
 
Maybe Biden will bring back the V8 johnsons.... if fishing and smaller boats is your thing, than outboards all the way

Only if the Johnsons are all electric, in compliance with the new green deal. They'd probably have a lot of torque though.
 
gatchmo5710 said:
I recently bought a newer ETEC 150 2 stroke and have been blown away. Its quieter than most engines and sips fuel. Like night and day better than any modern 4 stroke. Its a bummer they are getting phased out due to the stigma of loud smokey old 2 strokes like in the past. In fact, according to the latest EPA mandates, if emissions were a concern, the 4 stroke mercurys would be outlawed before the etecs... but the market pushes forward like most things. Maybe Biden will bring back the V8 johnsons.... if fishing and smaller boats is your thing, than outboards all the way.
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E-Tecs were beyond great....used at Lake Tahoe by police boats. Lake Tahoe has the strictest emission standards anywhere.

Methinks E-Tecs went bye bye for internal company financial reasons

2nd best are the Mercury Optimax 2 strokes. My buddy has a 2007 and NO problems......:):)

power to weight ratio.......minimal maintenance........no oil/filter changes/no valve timing.....2 strokes cannot be beat in under 30' pleasure boats......

;)
 
Rainbowbridge said:
E-Tecs were beyond great....used at Lake Tahoe by police boats. Lake Tahoe has the strictest emission standards anywhere.

Methinks E-Tecs went bye bye for internal company financial reasons

2nd best are the Mercury Optimax 2 strokes. My buddy has a 2007 and NO problems......:):)

power to weight ratio.......minimal maintenance........no oil/filter changes/no valve timing.....2 strokes cannot be beat in under 30' pleasure boats......

;)
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The e-tec has some serious torque as well, put a 4 blade prop on my 250 ho and it will pull your arms right out of their sockets. 😲
 
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Rainbowbridge said:
E-Tecs were beyond great....used at Lake Tahoe by police boats. Lake Tahoe has the strictest emission standards anywhere.

Methinks E-Tecs went bye bye for internal company financial reasons

2nd best are the Mercury Optimax 2 strokes. My buddy has a 2007 and NO problems......:):)

power to weight ratio.......minimal maintenance........no oil/filter changes/no valve timing.....2 strokes cannot be beat in under 30' pleasure boats......

;)
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We are on our second E-Tec - We love the engine
 
crimedog said:
As I am in my boat search and as stated looking at a smaller 18-20ft boat I have wondered if there is an advantage of Outboard vs I/O never had a boat with an Outboard, but wanting a boat that we can take to powell, or up to scoefield, strawberry, fish lake, and other places fishing etc... I would assume ease of maintenance is one big advantage of an outboard but any others?
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Outboards are lighter than I/O’s. Outboards typically are very efficient and allow more use of available deck space.

As far as invasive species go, the I/O’s have an 18 days of dry time.

I have a Yamaha 2020 210 FSH Sport and love it. Perhaps give them a look.
 
OK, let
Let's end the whole debate right now (with an evil laugh).Function of an outboard and torque of an inboard?
The thing looks like a BEAST!
If you notice, the motors themselves don't turn. Just the lower unit.
Upgrade for that new boat Havelina? ;)
Enjoy.

 
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