OB's forever!!
Don't know specifically when the last 27 OB was made, but as I recall the last 27 (number 6600 and something) was made in 1996. Most (if not all) the later boats were IB diesels. Mist OB's were mid-'70s models. OB advantages include: 1. Less weight (OB weighs less than 100lbs-IB is 400+) 2. Easier major engine work (about 1/2 hour to pull out the motor & take to the shop) 3. Simpler motor than an IB. 4. No thru hulls (at least for the engine). 5. No prop in the water (drag) 6. You can buy a brand new engine for 1/2 the cost of rebuilding the IB (OK, maybe 3/4 if you have an A-4, and do the in/out yourself!) 7. All that room under the cockpit!!! I store the inflatable, misc. spares and the canned food for a week here! 8. Easy controls (with remote shift & throttle to cockpit). 9. Simpler starting (elecric start is convenient, but you can also hand start easier than an IB-no separate starting battery needed). Disadvantages: 1. Fuel economy (except 4-stroke OB's) 2. Newer 4-stroke OB's are too large to fit in the well w/o surgery. 3. More room in lazarette (but see #7 above!) 4. No efficient battery charging (most electric start OB alternators produce 5-8 amps, enough to run running lites, but that's about all) Love my OB, except when I'm motoring all day, then fuel capacity & economy of the IB is an advantage. But how often is that? Peter Hine Enigma II 1974 OB, std rig Stockton, CA
