20' I/O desirable?

[Basketcase]

My 25 Seafari is my first I/O, I've always had outboards. Just want you to know my comments are not based on experience, just speculative opinion.

With disclaimer out of the way, I would not have an I/O on a boat I intended to keep in the water for extended periods. There are a pile of nooks and crannies on an outdrive and transom assembly where marine growth can clog up the works. I think I recall reading somewhere that heavy marine growth, i.e. barnacles or mussels, can cut through the bellows when the outdrive swivels causing the boat to take on water. Anti-fouling paint is not recommended on outdrives because it worsens the problem of galvanic corrosion.

I would like to hear what some of the experienced I/O owner's think. When I kept a boat in a brackish canal in Fort Lauderdale, I would see algae growth within a week and a half, and barnacle growth within about three weeks. Maybe this isn't a problem where you are and is the reason I/Os are not real popular in Florida except on lake and river boats.

You have confirmed some of the suspicions I had about an I/O in saltwater and also about leaving the boat in the water. This boat may be left unattended for 2 or 3 weeks at a time in the water and the potential for water intrusion seems much higher with an I/O. Thanks for the input. I think I'll pass on this one.