my brother wants to buy a boat and wanted me to put a post up for some info because none of us know any thing about i/os. he wants an open bow and something just to ski and cruse with nothing really fast. there are a lot of i/o boats in my neck of the woods and hes wondering about those how are reliable are they how is the maintenance on them are parts really expensive any thing to look for or inspect really well when looking at one
any hints tips or info would be great thanks kyle

My cousin-in-law has a similar hull to mine with 350 and Bravo 1. Mine smokes his out of the hole and I got 3-4 mph on him... But I fill up every day I use mine and he fills up just before each weekend trip...

Bravo 1 is probably overkill for stock 350.

My pops had an 89 21' Hallett w 330hp 454/Bravo that did 67 mph all day long at 4700 rpm. If you go a lot or do the math i/o beats the shit out of a jet. Where I like to boat, an outdrive wouldn't be practical.

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  He's just looking for a good reliable ski boat and he says that everyone tells him not to waste his time with I/o and spend the extra cash and buy a direct drive, but no one has any valid points to why they don't like the i/o.

Unless all you are going to do is ski/wakeboard, you can shove that direct drive up your culo. Ride like crap, no room because the engine is in the middle of the hull, don't back up for chit, can't beach it....   

If he is really serious about skiing tell him to try to score a V drive or a Z drive tournament style boat. Mo betta 

As for the I/O's, they can't be beat. Models to pursue would be the Volvo SX with a 350 Chevy or either the Mercuiser Bravo I or the Alpha I..

If he's buck up and wants the ultimate, look for a Bravo III or a Volvo SX Duoprop.

You will want to stay in the late 1990's just for good parts availability.

GT