REPOWER-I/O OR O/B

[RICHV]

I KNOW THIS IS A QUESTION THAT SHOULD HAVE IT'S OWN SITE BUT I AM GOING FOR IT ANYWAY. I GOT SOME GOOD ANSWERS ON WHETHER TO USE A SINGLE OR DUAL OUTBOARD. BUT I STILL HAVE SOME QUESTIONS.IF I PUT TWIN 150'S ON A BRACKET WILL IT BE EQUIVALENT TO A SINGLE 225 O/B. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT YOU CAN LOOSE UP TO 30% OF YOUR HP WHEN YOU DO A TWIN SET UP. THE MAIN QUESTION I HAVE IS THIS- HAS ANYONE CONVERTED TO AN O/B AND NOW WISH THEY HAD NOT AND IF SO WHY? THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS THAT I HAVE BEEN OUT ON NUMEROUS SEACRAFTS BUT THEY ALL HAD 255 HP I/O'S. IS THE RIDE AND CONTROL THAT MUCH DIFFERENT.BUT SINCE I AM A GUY IT JUST MAKES MORE SINCE TO ME TO HAVE TWIN 150'S BRACKETED ON THE BACK- IT JUST LOOKS SWEETER. THE BAD PART TO THAT IS, MY WIFE GOT THE QUOTES ON THE TWIN 150'S AND HAS PUT THE CHECKBOOK UNDER LOCK AND KEY. WHEN THERE IS A 6K (SINGLE 250) AND 12K (TWIN 150'S)DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A 300 HP HORIZON WITH A BRAVO 1 I/O. THE SAYING I TOLD HER DIDN'T HOLD ANY WATER. (THE BOAT WILL LOOK AWESOME WITH TWINS ON THE BACK OF IT- HONEY) AFTER THAT COMMENT I SHOULD OF JUST LOADED THE GUN FOR HER. EITHER WAY THE BOAT IS GETTING A COMPLETE REPOWER AND NO OLD PARTS ARE BEING USED. I HAVE ONE MONTH TO SOLVE THIS QUESTION AND I THINK I HAVE OPENED UP A BAG OF WORMS. I'M SURE EVERYONES OPINION WILL BE DIFFERENT AND QUITE INTERESTING. AFTER READING THIS SITE I HAVE COME TO ONE CONCLUSSION. IF YOU WANT TO SEE A ROUGH DEBATE PUT A GROUP OF SEACRAFT OWNERS IN A BAR WITH AN OPEN TAB AND ONE HOUR LATER ASK THE SIMPLE QUESTION. WHAT IS BEST I/O OR O/B. THAN GET OUT OF THE WAY.IF 30 MINUTES LATER ANY ONE IS STILL STANDING ASK THE QUESTION TIDEWATERPLASTIC@AOL.COM SINGLE OR DUAL O/B'S WHICH IS BEST. BY THE WAY THIS SITE IS GREAT.

[BARNABY55]

I had a Buddy in North Carolina that owned a 23 with twin 200 Mercs. It was an awesome machine and had a fitting name:::Blllluuuurrrrr Rabbit. The boat would fly buy had optional fuel tanks.

[ScottM]

Rich,
I have not converted from OB to I/O or vice versa, but if I were in your shoes, I'd opt for the Horizon. In the long run it will outlast single or twin OB's, be more fuel efficient, easier to maintain, less money up front and overall, etc. The drawbacks - a lot of weight in the stern and an engine box in the way. I think the pluses outweight the minuses IMO, especially if your boat is a CC. A buddy of mine has the Horizon with Bravo 3 in his 24 Silverhawk and it is one sweet package.

Good luck, and welcome to the board.

[Jon G]

Rich you need to find a ride in a 23' with a big single and see of you like it compared to the I/O. Each has plusses and minuses. A big single would push the boat fine and weight would not be an issue, also better fuel economy than twins and less maint. The I/0 on the other hand would probably get better milage than the two strokes but would be heavier and take up more room. Oh man so many choices what to do, I see your dilema, My vote is on a big single 225 or 250 if you get a Hpdi or Ficht like Hooper's it will be not so bad on fuel, How about twin Suzuki 140's? Now you've got twins and good economy(still twins thought) Oh way to many choices. By the way my dream engine for my 20'(besides the new on I on the way) would be the Merc I/o diesel that just came out. I love the look of the I/O SeaCrafts real clean lines (oh theres another plus for the I/o) but alas I did not win the Mega Millions this week so I must keep dreaming. Try to hitch a ride on a 23 with outboard so you can compare the ride. You may prefer the ride of the I/O's you're familiar with or you may love the ride the outboard offers. Good luck Jon G

[AlexT]

Personally, I think the inboard 23' is one of the best looking boats ever made. If it is looks you're after, go with the inboard. Super classy, and a very, very clean looking boat.

[James Tackle]

HI there Rich!
I have a 23' with twin 115 Johnson Ocean runners (1998). The boat previously had a 225 Johnson. I cannot even begin to tell you how much of a differnece it is with the twins. The cruising speed went up from 24 knots at 4500 RPM's to 30 knots at 4200 RPM's. It no longer "slugs" up and over waves or bogs down trying to climb... it powers right over effortlessly. When you hit the throttles... it jumps out of the water. They just feel like they aren't even working hard.. like they are jogging along back there. The top speed has cranked up to over 40. The best part is the 115 Johnson Ocean Runners are only about 100 pounds more than a single 225. At cruise, she burns about 12-14 GPH which is very reasonable. I really can't see where V6's would be any added benefit exept for those seeking light speed. -Jim

[barnacle]

Like James Tackle I have repowered 2 23ft seacraft cc's with twin V-4 Johnsons and the boats performed well. BOth had single V-6 before we made the swap. Both owners loved it when they were done. I like the twins over a single just for the fact you always have one to come back on. You can not go wrong with todays MerCruisers. The MPI Horizon with the Bravo One drive is a sweet set up with no troubles. It comes down to what you want and how much you have to spend.