I/O conversion to OB's
 

If outboards are the ticket to trouble free boating and I/O boats are worthless then why haven't we seen more conversions being done? I know the 38 Powerplay has a triple OB boat and a 42 Tiger went to triple OB's.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...17-o66545.html
4- 300 Vrods with warranty asking 40K

Find a 42-45 Sonic with no power and hang a bracket, mount the motors and have the best of both worlds! Really anything without a molded swim platform should work (Apache, Cig, AT, etc....sorry no Fountains). If the boat is beamy enough then hang 4, if not hang 3 and have a spare motor.

If they are so reliable why does 3 of the 4 have new powerheads?:lolhit:

But really to me wouldn't the issue be the change in the CG? You would be taking a boat designed with motors mounted low and forward then sticking them high and back.

Granted less weight but seems it would be more then just clamping them on. Maybe someone like Pat (AT) can jump in as he has done that on a boat designed for I/O's.

I am thinking the 33, it would be interesting to hear if/what changes they made when they put the 2 egg beaters on the back.

42-25 Sonics have molded in swim platforms.

Who has said I/O's are worthless?

I'm certainly not an expert, but IMO if you can't get the results you want with 3 OB's, stick with I/O's. These boats with 4 and 5 OB's start to look ridiculous.

If you are going verado you will also have to change out wiring harness, steering, and use a DTS as they are fly by wire. These are not cheap modifications!

Ask any reputable builder or refurb shop and they will tell you its all about the CG. There is significant risk of altering the handling characteristics of an IO boat by merely plugging the transom, adding some bracing or knees and hanging a bracket. The placement of the fuel tank in an IO or OB requires important calculations for the hull to run at the optimum angle for the best efficiency.

Exactly what I was thinking. Barely 3 year old motors and 3 of the 4 power heads have already been replaced, interesting.

Doesn't say how many hours? Could have come of the back of two commercial fishing boats and have 2,000 hours on them. On face value, a 2013 Verado, you wouldn't expect it to have encountered major mechanical work, lots of questions ahead......

Just my guess but I think by the time someone has converted a 40' go fast boat to quad outboards, I reckon it would owe you a fortune. Hull and transom mods, wiring as mentioned above, engine hatch/storage, rear lounge etc, etc. the list would be huge and with the balance issue, it could easily end up an underperforming orphan.

I guess all good things were done a first time but this one would have me very concerned...... Masses of homework needed.

RR

I had a shop in Michigan tell me that my powerhead was probably junk because it had been run in saltwater... Service guy claimed his "counterpart in Florida recommends powerhead replacement every few years for saltwater use due to corrosion". Nevermind the fact the service guy had not even laid eyes on my motor when he made the replacement recommendation. Maybe an uninformed owner fell for this type of jackassery.

There is a guy that converted ( pretty sure it was not factory) a 48 Fountain Express Cruiser to a O/B, I think it was (4). He had a bracket that was built under the molded platform. I think he's from Florida, anyone that ran in the Powerboating for a Cure PR saw it, (I was not in the run)

Wasn't the guy from Sanders Ford in NC (OSO member) the guy that built that 48?

Boat ran good from what I recall even after tossing those 3 big diesels.

Matt Raymond

The 33'PP hull seems to do great with OB power.

Maybe someone can take a crack at a Gladiator. Light hull and good length. Two I/o should be a good trade for 3 OBs.

33 Active Thunder with 3 400 Verados would be the ticket. Most likely be a 90+ MPH boat with a nice cabin and the ease of outboards.

First everyone trading their go fast I/O's for a center console, now people taking out I/O's from a perfectly good v-bottom that runs great as is and slapping egg beaters on the back?

What's become of this sport? :(

OB's would RUIN the lines of a Gladiator! I also wouldn't want to play with the center of gravity on that hull (or any twin step) either.

I rerigged my 30' offshore boat from IO to outboard with a stainless marine bracket with no CG problem s. I had twin Merc 300XS with hydraulic jack plates from Stainless marine as well. 70mph only. Heavy boat. But it ran perfect.

The sport is heading back to the good old days where men were men, women were women, and car motors were in cars.


http://i51.tinypic.com/2em3fvq.jpghttp://i51.tinypic.com/2em3fvq.jpg

I think it would benefit the stepped hulls. Especially while cornering

Only people with eggbeaters.....:party-smiley-004:

seems like a serious discussion, but i couldn't help myself, here's some triples just tied on @ 7 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Alzz-OU80ZM

I like to have multiple woman on board....I don't want to listen to them all though...just say no to egg beaters - big block noise!!!

I'm still an I/O guy. Have had and dealt with both. Give me I/Os any day. The boat looks cleaner and sounds better.