inboard to outboard

Exraider · #1 03-03-2003, 07:55 PM

Jeff,
It is a potter & thanks for your advice the only reason I was considering the change was the wet bilge of these boats that destroy these inboards & I guess I'm tired of scraping my knuckles every time I change the plugs. [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

EP · #2 03-03-2003, 08:25 PM

Even though I think it would be a shame to convert an i/b, I have to agree that the wet bilge does a number on the engine. I recently sold my 23 with an I/O for just that reason. Every year the starter would be seized up due to the wet salty environment where it was mounted on the 350. I tried to keep the dryest bilge. I had to have 2 starters. One to rebuild while the other was being ruined in the bilge. Other than that the boat was awesome. I just hated that power configuration. I was looking for an outboard 23 to rebuild but settled on a 20 that I am Completing now.

Serenity · #3 03-04-2003, 03:04 AM

Hi there! As to the problem of a wet transom, I had the deck raised for several reasons, the main one being a "dry bilge". I don't know the condition of your deck but if it is a problem, you could remove and do the following:
1)build a larger engine area for ease of maintenance.
2)raise the floor to have a "true" flush deck.
3)have your recessed in deck fish box made deeper and insulated and drain out from the bottom at day's end (if you trailer)
4)build any deck hatch with a raised lip so water doesn't drain back in bilge, etc.

It really would be nice to have the i/b (wish I had one). The above may cost but with the savings from staying with "original setup" it may be the answer. Before I raised my old boat's deck, I also had problems with moisture, starters,... .

Sorry so long winded.

Miles Offshore · #4 03-04-2003, 09:07 AM

Don't forget alternator's either, they can take a beating as well. I am getting both of mine rebuilt now but as I had to have them rebuilt frequently on my old mako inboard this will be the first time for me since '95 when i bought the boat. Actually they still work but they are very "tired". keep that bilge dry is the key , the flywheel will through water all over if it is sitting in water. craig-

GetReel · #5 03-04-2003, 11:54 AM

Ex: Your in south Jersey? The NJ crew is going to try and have a boat gathering this summer, stay tuned. Keep that Potter built in its original IB set-up! I have experienced a blown starter on a new engine, ran the battery's down by accident and had a lot of water. The engine does sit low, but I have "top" mount starter on my 454 and try to lube it often, I run two bilge pumps; forward and aft, and my boat has drain tubes thru the transom, not thru the deck, and I use the ping-pong ball scupper caps and it keeps the water out and it makes the deck somewhat self bailing. The water I get is usually due to my own oversight, such as leaving the radio on and draining the batteries, otherwise its pretty dry. Try the modification to the drain tubes, it does help. I can't speak to the IO set up as they seem to have a lot more moisture intrusion anyway due to the outdrive unit.

Rich · #6 03-04-2003, 03:53 PM

If you are serious about converting to an OB, maybe you would be interested in swapping boats. I have a 1972 23 CC that is in great shape, just redid the transom up to 30" and have a little more work to do. No power as of yet. I think the IB's are great....

Exraider · #7 03-04-2003, 09:37 PM

I appreciate all your input, the amazing thing is that listening to you guys it seems that we all have the same exact problems, is it engineering & if so why are these boats in such demand, I mean I love the ride of the i/b but is it worth it