Mercruiser I/O vs Outboard SeaCraft?

[jjcwheeler]

I have found a 1970 20' cc for sale and it has a 140hp mercruiser on it. I would be using it in a bay for fishing and skiing. I have no experience with boats/motors. Am I asking for trouble? Just wondering if an i/o would be more of a problem for a first time boat owner or should I search for something with an outboard. I don't know any different? Would I be able to put an outboard on in the future if I had problems with the i/o? What are the advantages/disadvantages? Thanks for any help.

[oldfielder]

If you're ready to get very involved with the life of your motor, the i/o will be fine. I run one and used to run outboard and the i/o definitely requires a different degree of vigialance and maintenance skill for you to be a happy boater.
If you don't like getting your hands dirty, stay away from the i/o.

[ocuyler]

the i/o definitely requires a different degree of vigialance and maintenance skill for you to be a happy boater.
If you don't like getting your hands dirty, stay away from the i/o.

Amen, brother

[NoBones]

IO's that are used in salt versus fresh that sit for
extended periods do tend to be more labor intensive.
As for outboards they can withstand neglect a little
better... IMO
Variables also to consider is if you are in the frozen north or the balmy south.

If the price is right, well just go for it.

See ya, Ken

[htillman]

IO would also be alot easier and neater to do a transom enclosure in the future.

[jjcwheeler]

I'm in north carolina and the boat would be trailered and not kept in the water, but I would be using it in saltwater. So what would you guys suggest knowing this? When you say an i/o would be easier to enclose in the future, do you mean it is possible to replace the i/o with an outboard if I chose to?

[NAHIM]

what is the ballpark selling price on the 1970 i/o that you are looking at. is it a good deal. good floor etc.

[jjcwheeler]

$5,000 is what he's asking. I don't know if that's a good deal or not? I'm a 1st time buyer, that's why i'm so nervous about buying an older boat like this. Floor seems fine, but looks to need a paint job, spider web cracks in the paint.

[jjcwheeler]

testing to post pics? spider cracks in paint, transom, motor
[image][/image] [image][/image] [image][/image]

[bigeasy1]

There's a couple things i see that i are not right. ask the seller what in the world is a deck plate doing on the outside of the transom?.Did you unscrew it and check inside?See if you can feel the wood core.

The aluminum plate where the outdrive bolts to is not normal,and is there for one of two reasons.#1 is that the transom core is bad,or #2 it's some kind of adapter plate to fit with that outdrive,although the outdrive in the picture(at least the upper part)is an early 70's to early 80's model,so it shouldn't need that aluminum plate.

Mabe I'm wrong,but I think the price is high for this boat,and from the picture you posted,I'm thinking that once you start digging,you're going to find lots of areas that need replacement.
I'm sure some other guys will chime in to give their advice.

You may want to keep looking,there are other seacrafts around,and prices now in this economy are pretty good.There was a nice 20'scepter that sold for $6,000.00 near me a couple of months ago,and it was in good condition.They are around,you just have to keep looking,and be patient.