I'm going the twin O/B route. I'll let you know how it goes in a few months.

I have had both over the years and it seems to break down to.....the big bad wild sterndrives were fun, but getting them to run on a regular basis was always a pain.....I am talking about the real exotic stuff. ( I realize it is different today, but)

So the outboards were always there, ready to run and take you out for fun with your family and friends whenever you want.

The bling factor goes to the BB, but the dependable boating everytime you want it, goes to the outboards.

I heard that the new Evinrude E-Tec's are maintenance free for three years from date of purchase.....can't argue with that.

twin outboards--for all the reasons listed, plus the maneuverability of twins :D

Charlie I think you have said it best.
But I will say that when I see a twin closed deck it does give it a certain bling factor also. A nice set of twins on a 24 looks awesome in my opinion.

OK so reliablity goes to the OB

What about the driving characteristics of a twin OB vs single IO? What about the longevity?

The outboards today are made with counter rotating lower units.

We raced them when both lower units turned the same way, and when you landed after a jump, the boat would try to torque steer over to one side....not fun for a few minutes.....torture for a few hours.

Guys like Richie Powers and Steve Sirois who raced in the Bahamas 500 mile race, can still remember the physical strength needed to drive an outboard race boat offshore.

The modern outboards are a million times better and so much more powerful. We will start seeing them show up on the closed deck sport boats just as they now are on the bigger center consoles. They are just too good to be left behind.

I fully intend to offer outboards on my banana boats when we re-open the company with the Ft Lauderdale boat show in October.

so O/B are in the lead right now.

I thought O/B rocked:boat: :evilb: :drink:

I have a 24 Sonic with outboards. The bling goes to the I/o cause of the sound , Fun to drive = outboards. I run a 27 fountain with an hp 500 alot. Its a very nice boat, but just another I/o. I like to be different. I like driver boats also. The throttle response is so much better than a BB. If you want to putt than maybe a BB. My outboards do not like anything under 30 mph and get kinda loud at cruise cause the back seat is just inches away. I don't care I driving.

Phuck a bunch of eggbeaters.......