IO or OB?

[Jim/CO]

All else being equal, which is prefered, Inboard or Outboard? Why?

Thanks

[Gunga Din]

I've had both, and for a fishing boat I prefer on outboard. Main reason is that the water drains from the motor when the boat is pulled from the water. This means you can use the motor year-round without having to unscrew a handful of bolts after each trip to drain the motor.

Other reasons are that I like access to the rear of my boat, and that's easier with an outboard/splashwell. I can tell at-a-glance whether the motor is trimmed up or down. Attaching a kicker is "usually" easier. Outboards are lighter.

Inboards tend to be smoother and quieter. And some prefer them because they feel more comfortable performing maintenance on them.

[miksup]

Agree with everything last poster said. Would like to add that horsepower to weight ratio is solidly in favor of ob's. Means it takes less HP to go as fast or faster. Also, IO takes up too much space in smaller boat. I believe that if you went with 24 feet or larger in a cruiser type boat it might make more sense. Then again, if you were to go to Florida you'd see a lot of larger cruisers with twin ob's on them. Easier to work on in addition to the HP to weight ratio. My .02 worth. Mike.

[Don]

I'd side with Outboards. Less maint., less parts gaskets compared to an outdrive, higher hp to weight ratio, and they rev much quicker making the boat more responsive. Outboards can be mounted to give you more fishing room in the boat. Years ago, IO was considered more because of economy. 4 strokes , Fichts and optis changed that. I've been around both enough that an IO would be the first thing I'd stop considering a boat.

[Phil T.]

Economy at time of purchse still goes to the IO. Compare the prices of a 150hp OB to a 200hp IO (the extra hp on the IO should compensate for the additional weight to provide similar performance).

[Art/Co]

I'll give you three or for reasons seeing that from Colorado.With an O/B I fished the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas day, and a couple of times in January. You can't do that with a I/O during the winter for fear of freezing.

Art

[Don..SD]

NOT TRUE. I have purchased drain tubes made by my dealer. All I do is flip up the IO engine compartment and unscrew 5 plugs and drain out the stern drive. Less then five minutes. The upper deck of the IO is a very comfertable place to sit as well. My boat is a LUND 1950 Tyee Gran Sport. 260 hp IO rocks about 55mph.

[Fin Addict]

But you can't sell an i/o as easily on the secondary market. I watch the ads and inboard Lunds last weeks while most w/ outboards are gone in a day or two around here. You save going in but pay getting out. Savings is real only if you plan to keep the rig forever.

[Don..SD]

Fin, I respect your thoughts but Soo Sports is either the number one or two dealer in Lund boats and they are selling the heck out of these new IO's I believe that people are seeing the combonation you have with the IO. I can comfortably put NINE people in my boat pull my kids in the tube or fish with great comfort. I have never had to drain my boat because I had water splash up on my backside. It's just a differnt view from what everyone has be fishing with for the past XXX years. GOOD FISHING Don

[upnorth]

Try changing the oil on an IO. You have to stand on your head to reach it then get the oil out with out making a mess all over the bilge...good luck. With the economy of todays outboards, the choice is easy.

[Don..SD]

Do it the easy way. LET SOMEONE ELSO DO IT. !!!
And it's not done every week so whats the big deal

[Flip South Dakota]

I think Pat's Outboard and Marine in Kenora Ontairo is way ahead of them on sales.

[SD?Will]

Not true with 2001 Models just pull the boat drain plug it has a leader attached to a oil pan drain hose. I too have a 1950 purchased at Soo Sports w/260 hp I/O. "great rig" could'nt be happier.

SD/Will

[Don]

I have never had to drain my boat because I had water splash up on my backside.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


Forget to put one of those block plugs in the boat after winterization and you'll find out what filling up is really fast. I watched on 4 occasions in the last 2 years guys who nearly sunk their boat before they figured out they left the drains out.

You cannot idle in as shallow of water with an IO either.

[dlie]

Have had both and both were Lunds.Price wise you will pay less for a io then a ob, but then you tend to get beat up come trade in time. Also remember that your going to have to stick a higher wt. cap. trailer under it too.

[Wally on Leech]

I am currently asking myself the same question. What I don't like about the lund I/O is that both of the livewells are in the front of the boat and they have no adequate bait well. A rear baitwell and live well is much more convenient. I believe that the I/O is 70% a crusier and ski boat with 30% fishing whereas a outboard is 70% fishing and 30% crusing and skiing. Bepends on how you want to use the boat. If you have any breething problems the I/O is the way to go. Even the new technology outboards emit some fumes. I know, I have one.

[kuip]

I have an 1850 tyee i/o y2k. I think you may be able to throw the resale deal out the window on these new Lunds with the ITS. I don't think there has been a real resale test yet because they are so new. One big problem with the 1850 is that there is no storeage in 1850, but there is rear storage in the 1950. I too bought mine from soo sports in sioux falls. The owners there can order any kind of Lund they want for demos and are ordering i/o's since 1999. The resale will be there on the ITS models. Kuip

[Don..SD]

Having the live wells up front is great in heavy waters. I will sit by the dock and fill the live wells up if there are heavy caps, this will make your ride much safer. I have NEVER had a problem will having enough room in these live wells.

1950 Tyee