Questions about I/o to outboard conversion

1

1224bret

Member
Well after deciding not to sell my boat earlier this year I started some repairs on it then as luck would have it I blew the engine last week.... Damn the luck.... Well I've decided that the main reason I wanted to sell it earlier this year is that I'm a outboard guy and now I have the perfect reason to make the swap to outboard and keep my boat. So I'm now trying to get things together to add a bracket. My budget for an engine is going to be around 3k or less. That leaves me some room in my buget for the bracket and rigging. Want my total cost to be less than 5k and 4500 would be even better. My question is for that kind of money what engine would you choose? I've found some ox66 yamaha in the 150-250hp range but I'm worried about the weight. I know I can find an older mercs or johnnyrude for that or less but I'm kind of worried about trusting the older engines and most around here have seen an exstinsive amount of saltwater use especially those with a 25" or 30" shaft. I guess I'm just wondering from those that have worked on outboards a lot should I keep looking at later (as in the 97-2003ish models in my budget) such as the ox66 or merc efi or should I look for a older and probably lighter motor such as a 2.5 merc and just try to find one that has the least amount of salt corrosion? As far as weight goes how important is it really? I don't have a self. Bailing deck since it was a I/o and I will be pulling a v8 chevrolet that I'm sure with outdrive and all has to weigh over 1000lbs. Is it a concern of the transome not being able to stand up against the weight? I've got some time as it will be a few weeks before I have all the cash together. Until the ill be digging up all the old posts on this site where others have done the same conversion.
 
Also I noticed in looking at old threads that some including mj replaced the transome to seal the outdrive hole I've seen others where a plug was made for the hole and the transom was left intact otherwise. Is there a reason on these hulls to replace the transom or will just plugging the hole and adding reinforcement suffice? I've done fiberglass work in the past so either way I'm confident doing it just wondered if I could save a little time and money plugging it...
 
A few months back there was someone selling a project V with IIRC an outboard bracket
Would be the cheapest and easiest way to get it done.
 
Yeah I've thought about just buying another boat with the money but my boat is in pretty good shape and around here for less than 5k your not getting much especially this time of year. The boats I've seen lately for 3500-5000 have been pretty old with old power as well. Just figured I'd get a newer engine ( late 90s early 2000s) and have a decent boat to hang it on. To get a boat with an engine in that year range seems to be going for around 7000ish.
 
if mj checks in,he did an i/o to ob conversion on his. came out nice.

i'd say you have to factor in weight. you are not too far from ferm, he might have something laying around or know of .

don't blame you for wanting to get out of the i/o, never liked running hot salt water through a car motor and too many right angles
 
Agreed! Just never really been a huge fan of I/o boats I bought this one because the wife liked it and the price was right. Since then I've put a lot of money in it and with this set back I figure I might as well make it the way I want it. Would be awesome if ferm or any of the other fla members had a good used outboard laying around!
 
Well I'm making some progress. Old transom cut out and new wood already cut to go in. Going to use 2 layers of 3/4 inch ply laid up with several layers of csm and 1708. Also going to run 2 small knee braces from the outer stringers up to the new section of transom and 2 more larger knee braces running from the old motor bed to the transom. Now if I can get a run of several days without rain I can get it all laid in. Don't really have a shop or barn to pull it into to do the work so it's very weather dependent.

Picked up a good used stainless marine bracket Saturday

Hopefully get this thing back on the water soon!
 
Got the new transom installed today along with the knee braces. Hopefully on the down hill end of the project now...
 

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Motor Ho! Yes I think that will hold a 250 EFI. :party:
You work fast.

Met Bret in person at the shop a couple weeks ago. Another boat nut.
Enthusiasm to spare. Catchy too, got me off my backside and interested in boating again.
 
Thanks Ridge! I was hoping I braced it up enough! I ended up using 3 pieces of 3/4" plywood with glass in between for the transom with 4 3/4" braces

It was good talking to you at the shop. You have a lot of knowledge on these boats. Your boat looks amazing man! Kinda inspired me to keep going on this project. Glad your getting back out on the water with yours again!
 
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Well I made some progress today! Got the outside of the outdrive hole filled and everything coated with epoxy primer. It's really coming along!
 
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