I/O VS direct drive, pros and cons?

WakeBoardingManiac · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 914 City: Montréal

Hi! Um, I was wondering... What are the differences between an I/O and a direct drive in terms of performance, stability, etc. (not just wakeboarding aspects, but just cruising and manoeuvrability aspects too) I need arguments to tell my father about how a direct drive is better, because we saw a few used ones, but he didn't see why he should pay 8000-10000$ more on a direct drive rather than on a I/O, so that's why I was wondering what I could say.

Thanks a lot! Your help is VERY appreciated =)

jflock2 · Outlaw Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 234 City: Atlanta

You need to test drive both - you'll be able to answer your own question after the test drive...

Tony M. · Newbie Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 8

direct drive boats
Pros:
1. Planes much faster than the I/O
2. Tracks much, much better
3. Just take a test drive and you will see that there is absolutely no comparision between a direct drive and a I/O boat.

Cons:
1. None

jflock2 · Outlaw Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 234 City: Atlanta

Tony M., my point exactly...

Test drive 'em, you'll see...

WakeBoardingManiac · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 914 City: Montréal

Allright... I'll have to convince him to test drive a direct drive, but I doubt I'll be able to 0_o

Oh well, I tought he would never check used boats again, but he called some people tonight, so there is still hope! Thanks Cool

Bruky · Guest

keep on grinding man! you can do it!

DCdave56 · Posted: May 13, 2004 6:58 am Post subject:

You really can't wakesurf behind an I/O. Trust me it sucks not being able to. Mad

Leggester · Posted: May 13, 2004 7:31 am Post subject:

"terms of performance, stability, etc. (not just wakeboarding aspects, but just cruising and manoeuvrability aspects too)"

You won't get a DD to out perform a similarly sized and motored I/O for cruising, handling chop, reverse control and quietness.

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

Leggester has a point, although I am not so sure about the quiteness part, that's debatable, I think.

mnwakeboarder · Posted: May 13, 2004 8:53 am Post subject: I/O

The thing that scared me away from inboards is the lack of protection of the prop/drive shaft and price. My lakes have several shallow areas where we have to trim up the i/o, we couldn't do that with an inboard. I would say performance wise though inboards are way better.

bmartin · Addict Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 794

I think the advantages of DDs are often over sold. I have had both and am now in a v-drive. No doubt the DDs do track a lot straighter, are easier to maintain wakeboard speeds, and you can surf behind them...after that the pros are not as dramatic. If you compare a 20' I/O with a 20' DD both with the same engine, beam, and ballast, the planing speeds will be similar and the wake size will likely be similar (this is an overgeneralization which depends on hull design of both the DD and I/O). I/Os are a lot easier to drive at slow speeds and can handle rollers and chop a lot better and unless you are looking at a v-drive I think the interior is layed out better not having the engine in the middle. Also if you want to cruise - I/Os tend to have higher top end speeds than most DDs.

If you want to have a boat with many uses and you are not a serious wakeboarder, then I/Os are fine boats. If you want really solid pulls for wakeboading, then DDs are the ticket.

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

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

Oh yea, my dd definitely pulls better than any I/O we've ever tried. That's for sure. I mean, you drop the hammer and it GOES, no lag time like in a lot of I/O's.

srh00z · Outlaw Joined: 09 Nov 2003 Posts: 128 City: Birmingham

I have had both, but I can't really compare apples to apples. Big difference b/t a 3.0L 4 cyl 18 foot runabout and a 20 foot Malibu with a 5.7 V8 with a tower. I don't have to adjust the speed much in the DD, and my friends used to pull the I/O all over the place, this changes the speed and the wake. I much prefer the DD.

Ruune · Posted: May 13, 2004 9:40 am Post subject:

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

My malibu has the same "convex-V" hull that Tige' hypes so much.(at least I don't see any "hook" when I look at the hull) Same with all the Moombas out ther with a Wakeplate. Tige is calling it "TAPS" and making out like it was their unique idea.

Marketing. But I don't mean to start THIS debate again.............

Ruune · Posted: May 13, 2004 9:55 am Post subject:

LOL yeah... although I'm not referring to the lack of a "hook." What I'm referring to is the keel design is that of a deep-v, and how the hull curves upward as you move towards the transom... which IMHO is where Tigé should be focusing their marketing.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

DDs:

More consistent wake which is better for skiing and wakeboarding depending on the amount of weight. Planes faster. Turns much sharper. Holds speed better. Don't have to worry about getting chopped up by the prop. Wakesurfing. Better place to put on wakeboards/skies (platform). Many are designed for wakeboarding so you'll find compartments for fat sacks where as an i/o they'll just be lying around. Hold their value better.

I/Os:

Cut through chop better. Usually have more seating space. Much easier to navigate in reverse. Prop tilt for shallow areas. Price.

In my experience people with DDs take care of their boats better. They are usually performace skiiers/wakeboarders who know their stuff about boats rather than just some guy who wants a new boat and gets whatever the cheapest he can. That's something to take into consideration when looking for a used boat.

jbelson · Posted: May 13, 2004 2:04 pm Post subject:

I've been on on both, and everytime I've been on a DD that was a couple years old, we've had engine problems. Everytime! Getting towed in sucks.
My theory is engine placement. With the i/o and v-drives, the engine is in the back where it takes virtually no impact (unless you're getting air in the boat), whereas the DD is in the middle and subject to a lot more impact that loosens things up.
Just a theory mind you, but there has to be some explanation.

Mr. Mutt · Posted: May 13, 2004 3:57 pm Post subject:

I'm not a boat designer or anything, but here a logical train of thought (in my mind anyway) why a DD would get up and plane faster/better than an I/O.

When a DD is pushing a boat forward, the prop blade is angled slightly downward, meaning that there is a slight amount of upward push on the boat which in a sense "lifts" the boat out of the water as it pushes it forward. Hence it planes faster.

However, because it's the rudder and not the prop that steers a DD or V-drive boat, the axis about which the boat rotates when you turn it is further towards the stern than that of a I/O. This is because when a DD turns, the boat is actually "sliding" around in the turn, whereas an I/O is pushing the back of the boat around.

I could be off, but that seems to make sense to me...and my little world.

salmon_tacos · Posted: May 13, 2004 5:13 pm Post subject:

Mr. Mutt,

I think you're right on about the planing and angled prop. The angled prop may also explain why a 220hp I/O can usually go faster than a 320hp inboard. In the I/O, you can adjust the trim so that the thrust aimed directly backward instead of wasting some of the thrust trying to push the boat out of the water against gravity.

The other planing advantage of a DD is that it has the engine in the middle for better weight distribution, i.e. it's less prone to bow rise than an I/O or v-drive.

If you trim an I/O all the way down, you get a similar effect to angled prop of the inboard since the prop axis actually goes beyond the horizontal. The effect is minimal though because the angle is minimal. You can, however, add a hydrofoil/stabilizer/plate/whatever to the outdrive and the effect will be amplified greatly.

Nor*Cal · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9479 City: Sac

Here's another post that discusses this issue.

http://forums.wakeboarder.com/viewtopic.php?p=298472#298472

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Nor*Cal, there is probably more than 1.

Tony M. · Newbie Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 8

chavez-y-chavez wrote:

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

Most boats don't have doors.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

cameraboy, mine had one... it enclosed the bathroom. Mr. Green

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

Tony M wrote

Tony M. · Newbie Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 8

Bruky · Guest

man, even the thought of beaching our boat makes me cringe... Confused

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Beaching boats is all about what the shore condition is like. In Mead, people beach $150000 offshore boats all the time - but the beach is soft sand with no rocks to be found (at that location).

That being said - constant beaching will eventually take its toll on gelcoat.

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

My cousin beached the family boat once. Of course, he was going 15 mph at the time, and threw two people onto the beach from the open bow, but that's another story altogether. I suspect it was NOT by accident.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

haha cameraboy, that's awesome. I'd love to see 2 people get thrown on shore at 15mph. Assuming they landed in sand and had no major injuries.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

cameraboy, bwhahahahhahahahahhahahah dude that is priceless!!!!! Laughing

Calabria man · Posted: May 17, 2004 1:09 pm Post subject:

I think a big reason to buy a DD or a V drive is safety. The prop is under the boat rather than just out the back. I have heard of some horror stories about people getting chewed up. A friend of mine was at the lake and there was a guy who was really drunk and fell off the back of the boat and just about got cut in half. It was a horrible accident.

Bruky · Guest

i was just reading throught here, and i got my idea about what my big post will be on, then i get to the last post and Calabria Man took it! argh! use the safety issue on your dad though. that is always sure fire and all 4 of my friends that have used it have gotten v-drives, and one a dd Mr. Green

its fullproof.