Should I go with an I/O?

[Mr.Rude]

My wife wants me to look into a family ride that we can go out in the coastal waters where we live. I am a Hi-Perf outboard guy, but is an outboard the way to go with a 2500lb+ boat? I would not need a boat with twins, and she does not want an offshore fishing hull. She likes the bowrider type. I am not familiar with boat brand to steer away from or to! Also, why is it that you can't get anything near 200hp unless it's 20'+ ?

I am also not thrilled that I will be running a Chevrolet if i get an I/O. :mad: I may have to do a conversion to a 351w:rolleyes:

[mr fun]

(1) what do you mean coastal waters? offshore? (2), whats your budget? (probably should have been uno) (3), what do you guys like to do?,,, ride, ski-tube type things, fish, hot rod, (4) coastal ga.,,,,,,,,,,, what can you do? ride fish ride ski ride sightsee ride. my guess would be a baby contender w/300 yam. look for a low hour used 1. why, great name recognition, very functional design, (swim step transom) 300 2 stroke ponies by yam will most likely outlast you. just put on a cool hat and forget about being the most cool. fun out :p

[Mr.Rude]

To answer your questions:
1) Miles and miles of inshore rivers, sounds, and several large lakes (10000 acre+) salt and fresh and brackish. There is ALOT os open water, so a comfortable ride is a must.
2) Cost- hopefully below $25k!
3) I will be scuba diving (need rear access!) NO steep transoms, skiing/tubing, riding/cruising. No fishing with this boat, and not a hotrod, but would prefer it not be a total slug. Hopefully mid 50's.
4) Yes...LOTS OF RIDING around here.

[Dutch]

a friend of mine has a sea ray open bow that is about 23 feet long.
its a nice boat. also has a worked 454 with a bravo drive. the boat
is heavy, so it takes the waves nice. it also does better than 50 mph.

[Mr.Rude]

Are I/O configs better on gas than a comparable outboard? Given 200Hp at 20' and 2500lbs. Also what drive best is Bravo1 or Volvo Penta SX. I have noticed they are the options most manufactures offer.

[mr fun]

dutch's idea sounds viable, plus you could play w/bravo (lots of beefy upgrades avaliable) and even instal silent choice exhaust (rumble rumble :D ) car motors traditionally are known for burning less for the type of pleasure boating you will be doing. i'm no expert on I/O's but i did notice volvo is making 1 now out of composit material, only makes good sence in salt to me, but pricy i'm sure. sea ray is a great choice (i worked there and know the quality) resale of a bowrider will depend on how well you take care of it. you can always sell a center console. fun out

[blkmtrfan]

I would sure rather have an outboard boat, especially in the salt and brackish water.

You said not "fishing" boat, but what about a "dual console" they look like a bowrider but have outboard power and a full fiberglass liner.

For example:

http://www.gradywhite.com/225/mainshots/225-01.jpg

http://www.scoutboats.com/models/images/222dorado.jpg

[blkmtrfan]

Searay made one that just might fit the bill with you and the wife:

http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/6/4/10409064.htm

And it is in you price range, sorry about the black motor :p

http://images.traderonline.com/img/6/dealer/4783950/10409064_1.jpg

http://images.traderonline.com/img/6/dealer/4783950/10409064_2.jpg

Whaler also makes one, but probably a little more $

http://images.traderonline.com/img/6/plcnad/4063286/88512537_1.jpg

[mickeyjr]

Dont buy anything till 150aintenuff tells you what you need to buy and why.
He's the EXPERT....He knows more about boats, motors, etc than everyone on here combined.

He will be along soon enuff and tell you what to buy.

[hsbob]

the days of i/o being more fuel efficient are gone. you need a dual ob boat with opti motors[not v@@@@@@@@o] my dealer/repair shop reallylikes i/o vs ob. he makes more money form i/o repairs.

[Lanceonthelake]

Dont buy anything till 150aintenuff tells you what you need to buy and why.
He's the EXPERT....He knows more about boats, motors, etc than everyone on here combined.

He will be along soon enuff and tell you what to buy.
Let's keep that crap in the Lounge.

I do like that Boston Whaler, but doubt you will find it under 25K unless it is 10 yrs old. One of the ski boats (Mastercraft I think) is now offering a center console exploring boat that looks pretty cool. I'll see if I kind find a pic.

[Lanceonthelake]

MasterCraft CSX extreme salterwater
mastercraft.com

[Lanceonthelake]

Here it is

[blkmtrfan]

Lanceonthelake I don't think you will be finding one of those for under $25 anytime soon :)

Here is another Searay and it is pretty cheap in comparison:

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/boatFullDetails.jsp?boat_id=1735093&ybw=&units=Feet&currency=USD&access=Public&listing_id=53929&url=

http://newimages.yachtworld.com/1/7/3/5/0/1735093_1.jpg

http://newimages.yachtworld.com/1/7/3/5/0/1735093_2.jpg

http://newimages.yachtworld.com/1/7/3/5/0/1735093_4.jpg

Maybe it is so cheap because the prop is missing (it says so in the specs ;) )

http://newimages.yachtworld.com/1/7/3/5/0/1735093_7.jpg

[blkmtrfan]

This is the cheapest Whaler I found:

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/boatDetails.jsp?currency=USD&units=Feet&currencyid=100&boat_id=1695294&checked_boats=1695294&back=%2Fcore%2Flisting%2Fcache%2FsearchResults.jsp%3FfromYear%3D1995%26sm%3D3%26toYear%3D2007%26toLe ngth%3D21%26cit%3Dtrue%26currencyid%3D100%26luom%3D126%26fromLength%3D21%26man%3Dwhaler%26slim%3Dqui ck&searchtype=

http://newimages.yachtworld.com/1/6/9/5/2/1695294_1.jpg

[Mr.Rude]

I looked atMastercraft, It costs $55 for their pointed nose salt boat!

A dual console "walk through" is a great idea... I did not remember these! I just need to find one that allows for ingress/egress from the rear like the SeaRay and Whaler you guys have shown me. Maybe one that has a large enough area to place scuba tanks when getting out of the water.