20' I/O desirable?

[Basketcase]

Hey there. I'm wondering what the desirablity of the 20' center console IO boats are. I found one near me with no motor or outdrive for 500 bucks and I'm considering getting it. I would either build it and use it or sell it. If I kept it, it would stay in a wet slip in salt all summer. Not sure how good that is for an outdrive.

Is there anything Seacraft specific I need to watch for on these boats? I know the basics like wet foam/ rotten wood etc but I know each boat has it's quirks and figured if anyone knows them its you guys. This boat is a 1973. Thanks!

[bobbert]

Just LOVE my 1975 20 with 130 3.0 Mercruiser I/O

[Islandtrader]

Good candidate for a conversion. Depending on where you are located, i/o's are not that popular in FL. So spending time and money in keeping it that way would not get you any return.

[Blue_Heron]

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.

[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.

[ScottM]

Just LOVE my 1975 20 with 130 3.0 Mercruiser I/O

Old Timer,
What type of performance are you getting with this package? A friend of mine is facing a repower for his 20 CC and is thinking of this setup (with Alpha drive).