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In the waters you fish, there is a monumental difference between 19 and 22 feet. Where the Aquasport is the 19 lessens the difference somewhat, the 22 should be better in the bigger stuff you're likely to face in those waters but I'm just not familiar with that model Seaswirl. The cabin would be good for the kids and the wife too... Take them to an island and camp the night on the boat - major brownie points...
As far as OB or I/O, if you're working shallow, rocky ledges, at least you have a chance that the OB will pop up on you and reduce possible damage to the drive unit. Not going to happen with an I/O so that depends on how you boat...
Now, as having OWNED a handfull of boats, I/O and OB, I would say that the I/O is easier to maintain than the OB and usually less costly when things go wrong. If you were comparing a 25HP OB to a 130 I/O, I might agree that the OB is simpler but when comparing a 5.0/205HP/4 barrle carbed chevy small block V8 versus an Evinrude 200HP Oil injected Outboard - densely packed into a relatively small package - the I/O is easier to maintain and fix. If you have experience working on the good ole American V-8, that experience translates well into doing at least SOME of your work on the marine variants. Obviously, the marine parts are different for numerous reasons and should be used... The I/O engines also have more displacement per horsepower which often means less wear and tear to get the same HP the the strung out outboards. I/Os tend to be more fuel efficient per HP than outboards. And they tend to smell less and create less pollution...
About the only thing I truly agree with Patrick is that you need to pull the outdrive off at the end of the season for both winterizing and so someone doesn't just walk off with it but people steal outboards too...
How many hours on the boat? After 10 years, most motors have been rebuilt or need it regardless of what type...
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