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I/O conversion to OB's

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Old 07-27-2016 | 07:17 AM
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Default 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.
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Old 07-27-2016 | 07:38 AM
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If they are so reliable why does 3 of the 4 have new powerheads?

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.
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Old 07-27-2016 | 07:46 AM
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42-25 Sonics have molded in swim platforms.
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Old 07-27-2016 | 07:47 AM
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Who has said I/O's are worthless?
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Old 07-27-2016 | 07:49 AM
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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.
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Old 07-27-2016 | 08:26 AM
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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!
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Old 07-27-2016 | 08:29 AM
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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.
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Old 07-27-2016 | 10:19 AM
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Originally Posted by Wildman_grafix
If they are so reliable why does 3 of the 4 have new powerheads?

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.
Exactly what I was thinking. Barely 3 year old motors and 3 of the 4 power heads have already been replaced, interesting.
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Old 07-27-2016 | 10:41 AM
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Originally Posted by 272bajadriver
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

Last edited by rak rua; 07-27-2016 at 10:45 AM.
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Old 07-27-2016 | 12:20 PM
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Originally Posted by 272bajadriver
Exactly what I was thinking. Barely 3 year old motors and 3 of the 4 power heads have already been replaced, interesting.
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.
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