inboard vs. I/o ?

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

Ok, I rode behind my families I/O last year. I plan on buying my own boat next month. Our bay gets shallow around august, so if I had an outboard I would not be able to dock it at our cottage, and I would have to pull it every day. (the boat, that is). So my question is, why are all wakeboard boats inboard? What is the advantage over I/o's? Why not get an I/o and weight it down? I also heard that inboards are hard to maneuver at slow speeds? is this true?

trigx5 · Newbie Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 21 City: atlanta, ga

The major difference is the design and shape of the hull. Inboard wakeboard boats are designed to produce the perfect size and shape wake for wakeboarding. The decision between the two styles of boat depends on what your primary use is going to be. Do you just want a boat to wakeboard behind or a boat to load full of people and cruise around. Also, it depends on how serious a wakeboarder u are. If you just like to ride and have fun an I/O would be fine. If you have asspirations of being a near pro level your going to need a wakeboard boat. I/O's are easier to maneuver but an inboard is easier to maintain speed and direction when pulling somebody. I/O's will usually, depending on the size of the boat, handle rough water better and you can get a little more boat for your money. hope this helps

snowboardcorey · Posted: Feb 20, 2003 8:28 am Post subject:

Inboards also draw less water, though there is no tilt of trim like an I/o, the prop runs much shallower because there is no lower unit. In addition overall handling is typically better due to the prop and rudder driven system. They are also geared differntly, I/O's will top end at a higher speed even with a smaller engine, while Inboards are typically a 1/1 or less gear ratio, they are all about power from the hole, not top end speed. Most inboard companies now offer a V drive with a deep v hull so you can get good performance in rough water, flat bottom inboards will generally give the best wake shape, but dont handle waves all that well.

Leggester · Posted: Feb 20, 2003 8:29 am Post subject:

I'm a bit confused. If you had an OB, you wouldn't be able to dock it? I'm assuming you mean Inboard and you wouldn't be able to.

Inboards have the prop in a safer place, also in general they'll hold speed better and the tracking during a hard pull is better. Yes, at slow speeds, especially with a stiff breeze, they can be a lot of FUN to steer. Remember, the prop isn't steering, the rudder is.

That said. I use an I/O. I don't really have any unsurmountable problems with it. I enjoy boarding and foiling behind it as much as my friends Malibu.

mkcarte2 · Outlaw Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 168 City: raliegh, nc

To me it just isnt nearly as safe to be riding behind a I/O, I mean the prop is right behind the boat, not hidden underneath it. Seems to be it would be much easier to get caught in or get the rope in. What if someone accidentally knocked it in gear while you were boarding? Plus inboards have more torque for pulling people up out of the hole. But, of course Ill this is coming from an iboard lover for life. being in an I/O just isnt the same, not to so say theres anything at all wrong with them. As long as you have fun and keep it safe thats all that matters, but that is just my opinion

lumpy19 · Criminal Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 97 City: Rochester

Cameraboy,

I believe we spoke on these boards last year and you are in sodus bay. Anyway Sodus tends to be a little choppy except early in the morning and late at night. Lots of boat traffic on the weekends. I'd be concerned about how low an inboard sits/rides in the water. I just bought a boat and went with an I/O for several reasons, one of the main ones being I didn't want water always coming over the bow. Plus I'm sure I'll be taking my boat out on the Lake and the water always seems rough out there. I'll admit cost was definitely a factor and I could've squeezed into an inboard but for right now an I/O suits my all around needs.

Leggester · Posted: Feb 20, 2003 10:41 am Post subject:

Inboard safer? Accidently knocked into gear?

Turn the damn motor off!

mcfatty · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 725 City: Cookeville

Most of the inboards have a draft of 18 in. That could mean a lot when trying to get to your dock in August.

Also I like the inside layouts you can get with a inboard.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think competion between inboard makers is so fierce, they offer more cutting edge designs, material and innovations.

Quality overall I think is better in a inboard.

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

Well, I am torn now. I wanted to get a Mobius, but after reading all the above, I am not so sure. Teh bay does tend to get choppy, and after mid August I wouldn't be able to use the families Dock, instead I'd have to pull the boat out at the marina every day.

But the only I/o I can find with a tower is made by Rinker, the RX1. It seems like they just took an I/o and added a tower and a few speakers. I mean, how's the wake going to be? Will jamming 600 pounds of fat sacks in the back ruin the engine in an I/o?

However, I could use the families dock all summer, and I can go to the sandbar and not worry about losing my prop. What to do, what to do?

OttoNP · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 848 City: MI

You can still go to the sandbar with an inboard. my advice is to get an inboard. It won't take you long to get the skills for backing it up, etc... The other differences aren't that big.

I've never heard of anyone switching from an I/O to an inboard wishing they hadn't. Also, they are a ton of people with I/O that wish they had an inboard, I've never heard of anyone having an inboard wishing they had an I/O. The only real reason I can see for choosing an I/O over an inboard is price.

Nick

Also, if you get an inboard it would be easy to trade it in for an I/O.
________
Michigan marijuana dispensary

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

So the handling in choppy water isn't that big of a difference?

OttoNP · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 848 City: MI

I have only been in a inboard once when the water was real choppy, it didn't seem that much worse, we could keep waves from coming over the bow with a little throttle control. How rough are you talking about being in? Other's here might know more...

Nick
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Uhwh Warehouse

noneya · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 796 City: Roxboro, NC

How shallow does it get by the dock. You shouldnt have any problems running in 18" of water with an inboard. I've personally had mine in less than that and no probs.

BIGMAC · Posted: Feb 20, 2003 1:32 pm Post subject:

Why are all wakeboard boats inboard?
What is the advantage over I/o's?

Inboards typically have much more horsepower than i/o. More power = more consistant pulls and they usually last longer than i/o. Inboards have tracking fins that help the boat track better. Inboards usually have usable swim platforms. Inboard hulls are usually better for wakeboarding as well as sking depnding on the setup. Inboards have less power loss through the drivetrain. Inboards are usually contructed better.

Why not get an I/o and weight it down?

No reason not to. It usually depend on your needs, income, and knowledge. Try both out and the answer should be clear.

I also heard that inboards are hard to maneuver at slow speeds? is this true?
Inboard will put an i/o to shame!!!!!! Don't listen to that person any more!!!!!

tribal · Outlaw Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 177 City: pemberton,bc

Don't make your boat choice on availibility of a stock tower there are lots of aftermarket towers you can put on any boat.If you are going to get an i/o just make sure you get as large of engine possible 5l+ then weight shouldn't be a problem.In my experience i/o's are much better in the chop than i's. Smile

mkcarte2 · Outlaw Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 168 City: raliegh, nc

WHOA there leggster, I know I dont turn the motor off every time im just sitting still dropping someone in the water. I just pull the little neutral switch out and I aint got no worries, plus the prop is underneath the boat. If you had an I/O sure you can restart your boat everytime you stop and start so the rope doesnt get chewed up or to pickup a skier. I just get real uncomfortable with a prop right next to my feet on or off. I was just saying it an advantage. And by the way I havent seen a lot of motors going to hell, so lets just call it a motor.

laser145 · Posted: Feb 20, 2003 4:09 pm Post subject:

Here's my thoughts.
I've owned I/O's before, and now I own an inboard. If you have the money go with the inboard. In my experience, they are safer(prop placement) more powerful(out of the hole) and more reliable.

They have less moving parts than an I/O, which lends itself to reliability. There are no trim pumps and outdrives to screw up. They are easier to work on due to the placement of the engine. They retain value much better as well.

The only negative I can think of is that they do suck in choppy water. We had a 99 Cobalt 22ft(I/O) and it handled chop like a Cadillac. My 99 Malibu beats the hell out of me in rough water. But I only go out to wakeboard, so if its choppy...I'm playing golf.

Hope this helps
-Taylor

jim Bogden · Outlaw Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 178 City: Sandy, UT

it comes down to what you are using it for wakeboarding or scenic cruises around the lake. Getting a sweet wake out of an I/O isnt easy unless you like riding at 55 feet.

Richie Martin · Posted: Feb 20, 2003 6:01 pm Post subject:

I could add to the above but it has all bene pretty well hit.

BUT!! Big mac is right an inboard handles much better than an I/O except when backing. But you learn real quick how to adjust. I can put my boat any where I want. Personally I will never have anything except an inboard.

salmon_tacos · Posted: Feb 20, 2003 7:50 pm Post subject:

With regard to the handling issue, I think he meant that I/Os handle better at docking speeds. It makes sense since an I/O steers with the outdrive. It's like an aircraft with thrust vectoring. It can pull moves that are not possible with control surfaces alone...particularly evident at slow speeds.

An inboard at rest has about as much steerage as an airplane sitting still...none.

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

Yea, that's what I meant, that at docking speeds the I/O would handle better.

I will be using the boat for 2 things: Wakeboarding and hanging out in at the local sandbar, where the water sometimes gets as shallow as 18 inches or even less, in some spots. (also, I might pull the family kids on tubes...Sorry, don't hit me!!) But I really wouldn't be just cruising around in rough water.

I think I am going to go with the Mobius.

Hey Lumpy 19, do you ride at Sodus ever? I have only seen one other boat out there with a tower, and the guy could just about manage to get inverted. Was that you, by any chance? What boat did you buy?

Leggester · Posted: Feb 21, 2003 6:07 am Post subject:

mkcarte2, I've seen a few motors go to hell, sometimes in a hand basket Wink

I have a friend with out the lower part of her leg - got chopped in an ugly accident involving a DD and some foolishness. I'm pretty sensitive about having the motor off with any kind of boat while dropping or boarding.

snowboardcorey · Posted: Feb 21, 2003 7:00 am Post subject:

If, choppy water is a huge concern why dont you check out the maristar line, they have a deep v hull instead of the the flat bottom, so they are made to handle open water condtions better, sure you will trade a little performance, but you will gain the ability to blow through chop.

OttoNP · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 848 City: MI

I also like the engine off when people get in or out. I consider it mandatory for an I/O. With an inboard, *maybe* you could leave the engine on, but I would still always turn it off.

Nick
________
Kitchen Measures

mkcarte2 · Outlaw Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 168 City: raliegh, nc

OK I understand leggster, if something like that had happened to a friend of mine I would be sensitive too. Sorry to hear that.

Leggester · Posted: Feb 21, 2003 10:34 am Post subject:

Yeah, sorry. I should have explained that instead of just slamming in.

bluefish86 · Posted: Feb 21, 2003 12:19 pm Post subject:

By turning off the engine, do you mean putting it in neutral? because I really dont see the point in turning it off completely.

tryan · Soul Rider Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Posts: 257

25 years ago i got chuncked off the front of a boat going 40 . 1600 stitches, but i'm hear to tell you about it. if a rider goes down and is okay, i let the inboard idle about a minute before i pick them up, but the inboard is shut off durring loading. an i/o gets shut off period.

i can park an inboard just as well as an i/o. it just takes practice.

lumpy19 · Criminal Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 97 City: Rochester

Cameraboy,

I used to ride sodus 3-4 days a week but the past 5 years I've been without a boat so I've mooched rides wherever I could. I have some real close friends on Eagle Island and I'm out there every once in a while.

Don't worry about buying a boat with a tower, you can get aftermarket, heck I'm building my own for my new boat. I ended up grabbing a 2002 17 ft glastron I/O. Definitely not my first choice but it will allow me enough leftover money to still have some fun. I had my eye on the Moomba Outback but decided right now I just don't want to be saddled with a large boat payment when I can only ride 4-5 months out of the year.

I've only completed one invert but I've never ridden behind a tower so that definitely wasn't me you saw out there. When I first started riding on sodus 13-14 years ago there were 2 "skurfers" on the bay, my how things have changed.

trigx5 · Newbie Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 21 City: atlanta, ga

CAMERABOY,

I have a Rinker 232 cuddy set up with the factory tower, which is the same zero flex flyer that mastercraft uses, and the 6.2mx(320hp). It works great for wakeboarding but not as good as a inboard wakeboard boat. It definately handles the rough water better but you don't normally ride in rough water anyway. I chose this over a comp. inboard for family reasons. The cuddy is nice for the kids. The boat is pretty heavy and has a good deadrise so the wake is pretty good...inverts and stuff no prob. If you are going to get an open bow go with the inboard but I would buy a used mastercraft, malibu or cc before the mobius. Between mobius and the Rinker I would get a Rinker 232 not 212. Not trying to be biased because I have a Rinker, I just think if your going to get an inboard get your money's worth. It sounds like you are primarily going to use it for wakeboarding so an inboard would be better.

r3612 · Soul Rider Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Posts: 346 City: Chicago IL

Like everyone else said you can get an aftermarket tower for pretty much any boat so don't be to concerned about that. The water conditions play a big factor for my brother also who owns an I/O. his lake is huge and can get pretty rough. I used to own an 88 2001 nauty (now 03 centurion) and we would just get swamped on a weekend. His I/O would keep us high and dry however. With a little weight an I/O can throw a good wake. His I/O wake blows some inboards on his lake out of the water.

His I/o has perfect pass,ballast tanks,tower, and all the tower accessories and throws a nice wake. I would think long and hard. If you plan to only use the boat when you're going to board I would go with an inboard cause you only gonna be out in the calm water, but if you want to go for a ride and hang with the bro's on the weekend sounds like you going to get wet.

Also I test drove an old mobius 01 and it's definately not one for rough water. The bow sits really low (especially with weight in it).

Kris

bluefish86 · Posted: Feb 21, 2003 6:59 pm Post subject:

What was the I/O your brother has?

r3612 · Soul Rider Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Posts: 346 City: Chicago IL

He has an orbit. It's made by smoker craft. It came with 600lbs of ballast which he adds about 800lbs more. The tanks are in the trunk and he has a sac in the locker and a full sac in the bow. It's about knee high with it trimed right. It's 21ft long has a 350 merc with a 4-blade stainless, perfect pass cruise, wake designs tower and all the accesories looks sweet IMO. Handles rough water like a king.

He loves it and I don't mind riding behind it at all. I can do everything off his wake that I can do off mine.

Kris

bluefish86 · Posted: Feb 21, 2003 7:29 pm Post subject:

I wish I could add some ballast to my I/O, but it only has a 3.0L engine, so if I add a reasonable amount of ballast, it wont plane Sad

. I'm probly gonna be getting a new prop, so hopefully that'll help.

tribal · Outlaw Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 177 City: pemberton,bc

Just make sure you put plenty of ballast in the bow and you should plane fine. Smile