I/O versus inboard

kevin babineau · Post by **kevin babineau** » Thu May 21, 2009 11:16 pm

so what is everyone opinion....i say that an i/o is more versital but an inboard has a better planning speed..weight distribution is better on an inboard....there r different opinions...some say that the new POD set ups r like the inboards...but id have to wait another 30 years or so to find out...lol.....

gopher · Post by **gopher** » Fri May 22, 2009 1:37 am

I've had two inboards and two sterndrives... (well, the first one was my parents )... The balance with the engine midship is better, ..
The oldest stern drive was ok... nice and manouverable for a 22' cruiser..
The newer one ran out nice... but the ongoing maintenance for bellow repairs, u-joints, etc was a major PITA.... Although somewhat more difficult to back-up.. I love the inboards..
The pods look fantastic.. I suppose, till those big seals start failing and the boat sinks like a stone....??

wet wonder · Post by **wet wonder** » Fri May 22, 2009 2:44 am

I don't know about balance, but I much prefer inboards due to their simplicity.

Seems like folks at the marina are often having very expensive problems w/ IOs. I've never had a problem with an Inboard.

A duel inboard is very easy to maneuver. I have a single screw now and can back it in on a dime, even w/ wind and current. Though I know people with single screws that have a lot of trouble reversing.

And seems like I see newbies everyweekend crashing their I/O rigs at 4 or 5 knots right into their slip or their neighbor's boat.

So to me, the inboard is simpler, less maintenance, and very maneuverable once you get the hang of it.

randyp · Post by **randyp** » Fri May 22, 2009 10:26 am

Nothing, absolutely nothing, sounds better than an inboard. I/O are more versatile in my opinion, but that cool sound from the inboard is still the best!

Dan Faith · Post by **Dan Faith** » Fri May 22, 2009 10:26 am

I have owned and ran outboard, IOs and inboards. Inboards are a lot less maintenance, at my place on lake Erie we have about 30 IO's and I have seen all the lower units taken off for some sort of repair. The inboards a prop stike now and then but never a transmission problem. The one I had in a ten year period the lower unit gear problems rebuilt three times. (two were prop strikes in a shallow lake) Plus on IO's is menuverablily at slow speeds, especially if you have twins.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Fri May 22, 2009 9:38 pm

The I/O in most case are faster and have edge on fuel . But I will Take a inboard any day.