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Originally Posted by Motor Fish
Hi Everyone,
I'm interested in your thoughts about these engine types in salt water. Also, how do they compare to your standard outboard? I'll be looking at a boat this weekend, 11 years old -135 h.p. I/O motor. I can't help but think that the saltwater must do a number on the outdrives and engine. It has been used mostly in saltwater, but it was well taken care of (based on pictures). Are my concerns warranted?
And what specifically should be examined to make sure everything is in good order?
- Should the outdrives be painted? (I assume that if the boat is in saltwater, they better be painted)
- Fresh water cooled
- ???
Any feedback is appreciated. Many thanks,
Rich
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Having had both I/O and outboard you will find many pro's and con's. The I/O need special attention to items such as exhaust manifolds, risers, the exhaust parts have passages that allow sea water around them and over a period of time they rot and if a leak occurs you can get sea water in your engine. The outdrive's are pretty hearty and if the zincs were installed corrosion can be kept to a minimum, they come factory painted of course, we broke out the spray bomb every winter and painted ours up, I see some use antifouling bottom paint IMO it looks like crap. Fresh water cooling would be nice but I would suspect that it isn't. You should have a compression check done on the motor and just visually inspect it for rot.