New owner - any startup advice?

Hey MJ,
I agree with you on the I/O's Suck. I've got both in the yard and love my outboard boats 10 times over my I/O's. My I/O isn't an old one either. It's a 1986 250 Sea Ray Fishing Cruiser and it has had a heart transplant in 1994 with a new 310 HP 350 GM. But still would take my older 1978 V20 out over it anyday or my old 1978 Continental 21. V20 it the best ride and Outboards in my opinion are best route.
 
What about twin diesel inboard ??? I'd take that over outboard if I had a 50ft slip! But for gas engines, outboard, outboard, outboard. I have a friend that has an I/O and it has spent more time in the shop than on the water. Most recent problem was the coil went bad. Outboards do have their share of problem too though.

P.S. Cliff, quit pushing MJ's buttons >:( and MJ, quit letting him get you all riled up - that's what he wants you to do ::) We should all be able to speak our opinions here without fear of retribution! That's what it is for, to share thoughts and ideas. MJ saying I/O's suck doesn't make I/O's suck (they suck all by theirselves :-X).
 
I have seen a really great idea for an I/O that was a GM V8 replacement. A local guy at my beach place took out his I/O 350 Gas after many many dollars spent. He put in one of those old GM Conversion Diesel 350 motors they used in the 80's in cars. He loved it. Was great on fuel and never a problem, no electrical issues anymore. But a little low on HP so he took it out and used a old GM 6.2 Diesel. That makes his fly and great on fuel too. But it was a 27 ft. So a 350 Conversion should push a V20 fine i'm sure and they are cheap from a Junk yard. No plugs, coils, or any of that to go bad.
 
HE MJ, DON'T YOU DARE LEAVE THIS SITE - YOUR THE EVEN KEEL AROUND HERE - AND SPEAK YOUR MIND ALWAYS - ME, I NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY I/O - I JUST AM JEALOUS YOU GOT SO MUCH MORE ROOM WITH THE BRACKET.

P.S. - GLAD TO HEAR THE NORTONS ARE SAFE!!!
 
Listen, everyone is entitled to and can openly speak their opinions. 8)
Personally, the only way I'd ever own another dangle drive is if the boat was priced way below the actual value. We all have our reasons why we prefer one over the other. I feel that you get a better power to weight ratio with an outboard. I know of all the reasons why one may have an advantage over another. I've had much real world experience with both. In a small boat (probably 22' and under) I would go with strictly outboard. In anything larger, I would consider straight inboard gas or diesel.
I'm done with dangle drives. :P
 
I think Mj may be taking a hiatus for a while. He's got a lot of $hit on his plate at home........and, it's fishing season. ;)
 
Hey scools out I never heard a price on that 225 with the excellent compresion. That sounds like a nice motor. I might be interested. I'm look'n at a 23' Dusky project boat that could use a 225 I think.
Welcome to the sight Scook. Honestly I never read this kind of talk on here before. Sorry. This is a great place to get great ideas for V20's From major renovations to how to rebuild a tilt and trim unit. These guys have tons of great experience and are super helpfull. We all love our V20's. I think if you need to repower. You would really appreciate the extra room these boats have with a full transom, and a bracket. I have the same boat only an 84. A 175 pushes it as fast as you could need to go.
 
I was going to post the 225 Johnson on Ebay at $1800.00 and see what happens. But will sell other wise. The motor came off a bass boat that was used only on Lake Lanier Ga. So it's a fresh water only motor. The motor is located in Graham NC. Exit 151 off Highway 40.
 
Choice of power is just that, a choice. I own an 86 outboard and quite frankly I'd rather be in an I/O model in a following sea. In the older outboard models you have a 20" transom with no scuppers. There's a reason Wellcraft switched to a 25" transom and installed scuppers. If you want to install a bracket and outboard, do it, but it's not the best thing since sliced bread. It may be to MJ and others, but not to everybody. Most 20' boats are kept on a trailer and not in the water which can be the kiss of death for an I/O docked in saltwater, so what's the big I/O issue? What does it really matter? MJ, maybe the reason you didn't like your I/O is because it may have been underpowered. Hop in a 260 HP I/O and you may be surprised. We have guys with 115 hp to twin 140's. Does it really matter what you have for power? Who cares, but I don't think one design vs. another sucks. It's like saying that Yamaha or Mercury is the best outboard. It's personal preference. If I ever did a bracket, I'd do a sea drive model rather than an I/O boat. There's alot less hole to fill. Again, personal preference, but the I/O, bracket doesn't suck either. Just my .02
 
Wow, I was gone for a couple of days and a fight broke out - I miss all the fun.

Thank all of you guys for the comments. I STILL don't have the manuals for the boat, and have been burried in a project (and will be for a few more days). I'll post more info. & questions when I get a better idea of what's going on.

I don't think it's a raw water cooling system - it has a radiator cap. I'm going to get some ear muffs and try to get it running with the help of a couple of mechanics that I know, and should learn something from that exercise.

Hang in there MJ, don't desert me when I'm just getting started. We're going to get a better feel for the boat and make sure it's in good enough shape to justify the outboard conversion. If it is, it will probably be a winter project - I think that would be a fantastic boat with an outboard and all that cockpit room. Thanks again - Scott
 
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