Outboard Performance Boats
 

What would be the expected cost to convert an i/o powerboat to outboards? I understand there are a lot of variables to consider. Is it worth it?

Yes there are.

Almost never.

What you can end up with is a science project that will have minimal resale value. And you are re-engineering a boat that was never designed with that propulsion in mind. Center of gravity....fuel systems....just to name a few.

But, if you like projects, have money to burn, and plan on keeping the experiment for the long run......nope....still not worth it IMHO.

What do you want to convert?

What power do you want?

Theres a member here selling a 28 OB saber and there’s also a cig decathlon with no power on Craigslist.

You need a motor bracket $5200 for twins.
You might need to fill transom holes $$$$
You need motors and rigging ????
And 3-10 days of professional labor at $100/hr on the low end. So $2400-$15000 on the high end. Outboard specialties is fast and reasonable.

Lots of people are doing conversions on varied boats and reports are all positive. Owners are very happy.

If you have the time, the money and the skills, it may be worthwhile. You’ll end up with a nice boat but it will owe you waaay more than you’ll ever get back on it.

If you have to pay a professional to do the work for you, the money lost would be astronomical.

Up to you……

RR

I don't have a specific boat picked out. I like the offerings from Active Thunder, but a 33 would cost close to $500k new. Been spit-balling the idea of purchasing an older model and converting it.

I know a lot of people won't understand the desire for outboards over I/O's. I like the idea of a larger cockpit and ease of maintenance.

I priced all of the power options at the MIBS.

For new, everything seems to be competitively priced on a $/hp except for Merc Racing, which is higher. So the 500R, 400R, and 300R aren’t as competitive price wise. That being said they do seem to perform above the non R power, so the value for them isn’t necessarily in the number on the cowl. For a performance app Merc is king just due to weight alone. I think I got a quote of $115k for 3 Merc 400s installed, not Rs.

If you’re pinching pennys, L6 verados are widely available used and very fast.

Don't do it. Boats engineered to be sterndrives really should stay that way.... CG/Step Placement, etc are a huge factor.. Hanging OBs off a bracket will drastically change the fore/aft CG, but what alot of people don't thing about is the vertical CG... Its a real factor.. Buy a nice boat like an Active thunder 37 or Cig 38... If needed just put some nice engines in it. You'll be way ahead with the $ that way.

I think the CG boogeyman is a non issue. If anything it gets lighter overall and the CG shifts back. On straight bottom boats this makes them faster.

I don’t hate the idea depending on the hull. I think TCO in salt water would be better for an outboard.

I did see that the platinum raptor 41 got twin Yamaha 350s and I really hated that. Such a big fast hull deserves some serious I/o power.

https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/...-offshore.html

https://orlando.craigslist.org/boa/d...724702010.html

getting a bottom job off is a pricy pay job

I have known a few people that have done it, it takes a while to get the CG correct, sure if its further back on a old straight bottom it may make it faster in a straight line smooth water.

The bigger issue I see is what Tim G said the Vertical CG.

BTW I boat in salt and you still have to flush Outboards, and a lot of I/O's are closed cooled.

Interesting that you bring up Active Thunder, Tim. In actuality, the step "insert" in the mold of the AT is adjustable, and Pat consults with the DDC bottom designer/patent holder; Harry Schoell when he builds a outboard model. Pat has built several boats for Mercury to use for their outboard testing at Lake X/X-Lake location(s), including a 37' with a monster thick transom. He dared them to break it, and they haven't brought it back yet. :D

Here's a nice OB conversion!!! :cool-smiley-011:

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...6624183186288/

That’s an abomination on the 43 NT.

These are hard to find boats and can understand not wanting to wait to find one and convert to outboards yourself, but there are more and more builders out there. That 28 Saber is pretty sweet too. Velocity is building a lot of their boats with outboards. Ocean Hawk 33 probably one of my favorites.

Oof.

Like others have said, unless you just have money and time to burn, don’t do it. I haven’t seen a single one that looked right ascetically after being done either.

I think it all depends on the boat you want to convert. I’m currently doing it on a 35 Motion cat . It is definitely a ton of work, and more costly than u think it is gonna be. I will tell you when I’m done in the next month or so if it was worth it…. If you can’t do it yourself, forget it . It will cost a fortune..

Very cool to see 600s.

Funny how many of these you see that say "Needs someone to complete".

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i do lots of custom restorations and yes when done correctly it gets expensive,,,,,,but is still way cheaper than brand new prices,,,all in what u want as stated,,,this is 1 of the last 32 hustlers that fiore made,,,,5 stringer boat and all foam cored with minimum birth with just cushions so is one of the lighter made as race/pleasure even had the built in stand up bolsters,,,,i cut up dashes and redesigned for 2 garmins,seperate lathem shift/throttles,pop ups and raised and angled the helm to make it sit down all new upholsty ,all new tank and floors,sea deck,awlgrip paint blueprinted and regelcoated bottom,custom transom ,custom made motor boxes,tripple 300 mercs,12 jl speakers,3 ampms with fusion on nema,,,ect,,,,boat is light and fast as the 32 was a fast snotty water boat to begin with,,,34pitch props,,,,70-75 at only 35-3800rpm cruising all day,,,,,100+ at 55-5800 and goes past 110 with ease ,,,i set it up for snotty water not max speed,,,all in wanbt u want,,,,and just got on water last summer,,,,love it ,,will sale to start another resto

Question, when you did all that work why didn't you move the rear seat bulkhead back to take advanatge of the extra room?

1 is i run across the bays and gulf on fun runs and poker runs and dont want more than 4-5 in the boat when cruising across the slop
as like the poker run set up seats
and 2 is for storage,,,,since pic it has boxing and brackets for large ice chest,,,,bouy holders,anchor boxes,ect so hatch gets filled up with
stuff including chairs,unbrellas,ect
so dont toss stuff all in the birth,,,,to be in the way,and fly around in the snot at 70-100+
just my preferance keeping the speedboat cockpit vrsing a pleasure/cruiser look

I converted my single IO 25’ Checkmate to twin OBs.

But I had the shop and abilities to do it all myself so no clue what it would have cost.

The shops in Fla have been doing it for decades.


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I've done it twice, 2 strokes, and 4 strokes, absolutely worth it. Many pluses. I do though like Gary last post...do everything myself except paint. Cg issues non existent when you figure it out and rig accordingly.

My guess to do it correctly with all the hardware needed, it would costly $100k. So if you buy a decent performance boat for $100k sell the engine, drives and miscellaneous parts not needed you would recoup $20k. In the end someone would have $180k into a "new" boat. I get the CG will have to be calculated and setup properly.

Purchasing a newly built boat in the 30' to 35' range is $250k to $500k or more depending on brand. Financially, it makes sense if someone is willing put in the effort.

I think it really comes down to how much you can do yourself.

I have thought of doing this on my 32. But the math is not there since a lot of the work I would have to farm out.

To get the same performance I have now I would need 2 450R's, they can be had used now but with controls that alone is 60K 70K? USED.

Then a bracket, transom filled in and knees added. I think my buddy got his bracket built for 3K with material. Fiberglass work, IDK what do you think 5K?

Plus install, may be able to do the install,,, maybe. Time is money no matter what.

As for the CG, sure add weight up front but still there is no way to get the roll center right now that the OB's would be way back (2 foot swim) and the motors high. Lighter but still high. Should go great in straight smooth, boat would be lighter.

Getting off the back at the sand bar would be a bit of a pain but with two there should be room for a side latter.

Then test test test! LOL

Even though I like the look of the new Mercury V-8 OB's it still doesn't look as well.

That or rebuild the BBC's into 540 NA, add closed cooling. Pretty easy to get very reliable 600HP and 700TQ. That would cost less than the price of the 450's.

That all said since the price of new is so high on everything it does mean projects like this are not bad if you can do the work and you plan on keeping them, because of age they become a cash buy only and that makes a hard sell.

I wouldn’t start with a $100k boat. And you can probably sell the engines and drives for a bit more than $20k.

The best power option for price is used Mercury 400 L6. You should be able to get trips for 40-50. Depending on the boat and goals, 2 of those could push the boat as well.

If you have a sound hull that you love and can't afford a more expensive newer boat, it's worth it. Built is better than bought, rewarding and not to mention different. Like any major decision in life. Pros and cons and weighing of cost and time.

Reality is, it’s not that hard to do.

Think…, “repower”, after closing holes in transom.

Yes on the transom knees but they’re easy peasy.

Glassing in is the correct way but I’ve seen mechanical (bolt in) done very well as well.

As to power???
You decide.

Probably start w/your budget???

I have a buddy in Fla who is a huge fan of the I-6 Verados.

He buys them cheap and I think is getting 430 hp w/a reflash.

He swears they’re bullet proof.

Rerigging his 32’ Skater w/thrm now.

Is fun to read what you prejudice IO guys post to poo poo the OB idea 😂

Amen Gary

You can get 2x450r for 50k

I think we would call this a paradigm shift 😉

Cool thing to think about for me is, think of all the old offshore boats w/dead IOs in them, waiting to be rescued.

Many w/the drives and motors already gone.

Ive posted before that I always looked at 30’, for a vee, as the max for twin OBs.
And I won’t do triples.

Now with 800 - 1000 hp available w/twins…, 35’s would be rockets and 40’s would be doable.

A slick, new chapter in offshore power boating.

Almost a step between the classic, full zoot IO powered boats and the new OB powered center consoles that everyone loves due to their versatility.

Learn to accept the look of the clip ons in exchange for affordable, reliable performance w/tons of new storage space!

Link please!! lol