outboard vs i/o sterndrive??

[bcarter]

<font color="blue"> > Single engine I/O, Outboards, and Inboards all have problems docking. </font>

Outboards and I/Os are easy to dock (IMHO). You can steer the thrust and with very little practice can put the boat where you want, when you want.

An single engine inboard is much harder to dock due to the "torque steer" cause by the angle of the prop and the fact that the rudder is much less effective at low speed. (Which is not to say that you can't dock an inboard well, you just need more practice and you need to plan ahead.)

Another poster mentioned that the inboard will pull to the right.... This is only true for right hand props (or is it left hand props /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif). The boat will pull the other way if the prop is the "other" pitch. Either way the trick is to pull up the dock on the correct side so that the torque steer from the prop as you reverse the engine to stop will snug you right up to the dock nice and smoothly.

Backing up straight requires going hard over with the rudder and pulsing the throttle in bursts to get wash over the rudder but not building up a lot of speed. Again, it takes some practice but it isn't anything you can't master...

Having the power and stability of an inboard when skiiing is well worth the time it takes to get good at controlling the board at low speeds.

My $0.03,

 

[ultrarunner]

I know this is an older thread...

Went through the same process and now wondering if I made the right decision on I/O vs Outboard.

Since 1957, the family has all learned to ski behind a 1957 Fibreflite with 35 hp Evinrude. Never a single issue... ever.

End of the season, put the boat in the shed and leave it there til next year... When I had money, I would spring for a battery so I wouldn't have to use the rope starter, add fresh fuel and head for the Lake.

We have the best memories growing up and wanted the kids to have the same, but couldn't because of the 2-Stroke Ban... even had the boat on the lake for the last day it was permitted for one last circumnavigation...

Fast-forward a few years later and the nephew and nieces keep pestering for a boat...

I looked at re-powering and it wasn't worth it... big money plus more weight for a 1957 hull.

Bought a SeaRay 176 that was two years old and only used in Fresh Water... looked showroom and owned by an older couple that only had a few times to Lake Shasta and small enough to fit inside the garage.

Took it out the first time this weekend for the 8 year old's birthday... and I was very pleased with the boat, the room and performance of the Mercruiser 3.0 with Alpha Drive...

We were out about 20 minutes and the boat suddenly slowed and motor revved... took about an hour to get back at 7 to 10 mph because the boat would slip at anything over 2000 rpm.

Pulled the prop and the plastic torque-hub is intact and looks ok to me.

Maybe, we were just lucky for 50 years with the Evinrude?

I hope going I/O is not a mistake... just winterizing the new boat and servicing it takes two manuals to explain... remember we did nothing to the Evinrude except add fresh gas and go...

I miss the old days!

 

[Dutch445]

sorry to hear about the breakdown.. seems that
boats are a lot like snowmobiles nowadays, got
to like working on them as much as using them!

it almost sounds like the drive coupler went bad,
and that is located at the back of the engine, where
it connects to the drive shaft going to the lower unit.
there is a coupler that is a maintenance part that can
go bad. ours went on our 93 4.3LX v6 2 years ago on
a 4th of july. i wasn't able to get any motion from the boat,
but i think my setup is quite a bit heavier. and we weren't far
from the launch luckily.

there is a great forum that I frequent, and they have all sorts
of great info and experts to help you if you wish.
iboats Boating Forums

and here's the link to my own experience:
mercruiser Gen II drive problem - iboats Boating Forums

good luck with the new boat!

 

[mrcaptainbob]

Fond memories. We had an old Saf-T-Mate with an Evinrude 70. That darn thing would easily pull two slalom skiers, or three on two ski's. Well, not 'easily', as the skier's needed to cooperate with the boat. And inner tubing back when all that was available were giant terra tubes. Fond memories. As far as what's best for skiing behind, I'd question what's the ultimate purpose? If it's dedicated for serious skiing, look at Mastercraft and such. Theirs' are center mounted inboards. Pylon hook up location is important. There's a LOT of science on a ski boat. It's so specialized now that there are special hull shapes for wake boarders! If it's just family use, a good I/O would work perfect. Available swim platforms, no motor obstruction, no motor well for skiers to negotiate, better seating, most probably a sun pad setup over the engine box tied in with the jump seats. Docking may be a bit more difficult, but it's not that bad on any of them, quite frankly. Slow and steady is key.

 

[ultrarunner]

sorry to hear about the breakdown.. seems that
boats are a lot like snowmobiles nowadays, got
to like working on them as much as using them!

it almost sounds like the drive coupler went bad,
and that is located at the back of the engine, where
it connects to the drive shaft going to the lower unit.
there is a coupler that is a maintenance part that can
go bad. ours went on our 93 4.3LX v6 2 years ago on
a 4th of july. i wasn't able to get any motion from the boat,
but i think my setup is quite a bit heavier. and we weren't far
from the launch luckily.

there is a great forum that I frequent, and they have all sorts
of great info and experts to help you if you wish.
iboats Boating Forums

and here's the link to my own experience:
mercruiser Gen II drive problem - iboats Boating Forums

good luck with the new boat!

Had the shop run the boat on a Dyno... and the problem couldn't be duplicated... at least the coupler is in good shape!

The only issue they found was the trim indicator was off by about a third... could it be as simple as this?