23 Sceptre vs 23 CC ride delivery

[JohnB]

Scott,
This is my opinion, and for my application.
I typically run offshore 25-35 miles to fish, and usually run at speeds between 32-40 mph.
With an I/O your have a large hole in the transom, that has a seal that keeps water from coming in. If something catastrophic happens to that seal, there is no pump that will keep up with the water coming in. With an outboard, you don't have "the big hole". Now if you maintain a boat correctly, replace the seal at regular service intervals, it probably/statisically not going to be a problem. Theoretically, I could have a plumbing failure with one of my thru-hull pickups, but at least there, I could use a sea-cock to stop the water from coming in.
With the big hole, until you pull the boat out of the water, or it sinks, water is going to come in. Back to my application, I probably cant get the speed out of an I/O that I get out of my outboard. I give up noise and fuel economy, but that's the tradeoff I'm willing to make. If you are running at 30 mph (which is hauling for an i/o), and hit something, there is the potential for the seal to partially or completly fail. I hit something with my outboard 6 months ago 22 miles out that completly destroyed the lower unit case, but at least I didn't have to worry about "the seal". We have alot of junk out in the gulf stream where I fish that comes floating by (pallets, containers from ships, trees, railroad ties, you name it).
That is pretty much my take on i/o vs outboard. I'm not trying to scare anyone away from an i/o, but for my application, the outboard fits me better.

[ July 25, 2003, 09:26 AM: Message edited by: JohnB ]

[ScottM]

John,
Gotcha. I didn't even think about the "big hole in the transom" situation. Like you, I have an OB and I was just curious about your take on an I/O. Thanks.

BTW, how did you get back from 22 miles out? Did SeaTow run out there or did the Coasties take care of you?

[JohnB]

Scott,
Seatow came out and got us. By the time we got back to the dock 2.5 hours later, NOAA had posted small craft advisories. We were on our way back to the dock. SeaCrafts are great boats, but none of them are much good when not under power and at the mercy of the waves.
First time I have ever had to get towed in.

[JohnB]

Here is one of the few inboards I have found, check it out
http://www.projectboats.net/descript...ified.htm?1312
http://www.projectboats.net/pictures.html?1312
and here is an I/O, check out the hole in the back of the transom I was talking about
http://www.projectboats.net/pictures.html?1322
http://www.projectboats.net/description.html?1322

[ July 25, 2003, 08:24 PM: Message edited by: JohnB ]

[Jon G]

Funny you guys should bring this topic up, up here on the Cape most commercial Striper fisherman that use SeaCrafts use center console I/O's there must be something to it I thought every early 23' CC I/O was on Cape Cod. Its not uncommon to see two or three of them come in, in a row when the wind is blowing. The same boats chase tuna later in the season. On any given day if you go where the fish are you will see a 23' I/O you cannot avoid it. I've wondered what the ride fells like between the two. I'm starting to think that the Cape has almost as many SeaCrafts as Florida [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[BARNABY55]

Well Spoken John,
Plus the gear failure and lines on the leg of the I/O

BTW. What did you catch the other day?

[JohnB]

BARNABY55,
Slow day the other day,
Managed a couple of dolphin to 12 pounds, a king, some bonitas, and a couple of sharks.
Nice day on the water though. It beat sitting in the office, and we were back at the dock by 2 PM before the storms. Bad storm day late in the afternoon.