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Please share your thoughts on a mid 90's 20' Mariah with a v8 merc i/o vs a Four Winns with a v8 volvo. Can't decide, love both.<br />Many thanks.<br />Larry
Welcome aboard larry! Both are nice boats. I have had both merc and volvo. Presently I have a volvo and very happy with it. It is an older model. It seems I was always having to do something with the merc outdrive. My volvo of course was a used unit, but all I have had done to it was changing out the boots and universals. I personally consider the volvo unit to be better.<br /><br />Good luck,,,,,I'm sure you will get some good advice on this topic!
A little more info . . . Horsepower ratings? If this is between an Alpha and a Volvo, then hands down the Volvo. If it is a Bravo, then I am less passionate about the Volvo, but still feel they are less trouble overall. Also, local service is probably the biggest factor. Some places are more Volvo challenged.<br /><br />BTW, I have never owned a Volvo. Picked up most of this opinion here.
Does anybody know anyone that has had hull trouble with a reasonably modern boat? I don't. I'd be more concerned about the installation and quality of the hardware used for seats, cleats, doors, windshield mounts etc. etc. etc. That's the stuff you will have fail and endlessly adjust and tighten . . . Electrical stuff too. Fuse panels, battery switches, harness quality, gauge package.<br /><br />And for me I would want at least 18 degrees hull deadrise at the transom, preferably 20. If there is any rough water where you boat, this will make everybody a whole lot more comfortable . . .
Research the history on each boat. If I am not mistaken, one of your candidates is no longer in business, not that this matters much.<br /><br />FW has a stellar reputation, not sure about Mariah as I have no experience with them. My nephew still owns his 1987 FW which has been abused year in, year out with no problems surfacing.<br /><br />Hope this helps.
Watch out for wood rot in floors, transoms and stringers/engine mounts, if you see any keep looking, that is a much bigger issue than Merc/Volvo or FW/Mariah. Right now I am fixing the floor on my 88 FW, you don't want to get into this unless you have lots of time and patience.
Good point lou. Many of the builders in the earlier years used untreated wood in seat bottoms and floors as you mentioned. My Silverton had wood in the taft rail cushions that turned to mush, fortunately that was the only place.
