volvo vs. merc

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traveling man

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I have always had merccruiser i/o's. I am looking at a used 2005 boat that has a volvo i/o. which one is better merc or volvo, or are they about the same. I've been looking for a new boat for 1 1/2 years and this boat is in mint condition. The motor has 40 hours on it.
Chris
 
tashasdaddy

tashasdaddy

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Re: volvo vs. merc

i prefer Volvo, the engines themselves are GM engines, it is the drive that is different.
 
NelsonQ

NelsonQ

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Re: volvo vs. merc

When I recently went shopping for a new boat, I asked the same questions. I had a variety of answers but mostly came down to preference. Pick what you like. You'll hear really positive stories from folks with good luck with one or the other, and some negative stuff on both.

The one thing I will say that was explained is the location of the gearing in a mercruiser vs. the penta. In the mercruiser, it's in the lower housing, in the penta drives, it's located further up the unit. One dealer explained that if you ever hit the lower end of a solid rock/obstacle, the mercruiser stands to have more costly repairs because of the location of the gears. However, if you hit nothing, well then that's not a valid argument.

For the record, I have an outboard, just wanted share the feedback I received as I'm sure you'll hear similar on these threads.
 
E

ekinnee

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Jul 24, 2008
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Re: volvo vs. merc

tashasdaddy said:
i prefer Volvo, the engines themselves are GM engines, it is the drive that is different.
Click to expand...

Not having a Volvo I wasn't sure, but I knew I had seen that the engines were the same, both being GM. What IS the big difference in the drive?
 
QC

QC

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Mar 22, 2005
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22,783
Re: volvo vs. merc

A Volvo anything is better than an Alpha. Bravos bring better resale here though . . .

The biggest difference is a cone clutch vs. dog clutch on the Alphas. With both the Bravos and the Volvos there is no clackety clackety as you put them in gear. Almost as smooth as a true inboard transmission . . . Both also have higher horsepower capability. Volvo requires duo-prop above around 300 horsepower I think. All Bravos are approved for high horsepower; either Bravo1, 2 or 3 (like a duo prop) . . . Bravos go waaaay higher than Volvos, so they have a performance reputation hence the resale premium, not deserved below 450 horsepower though . . .
 
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L

Labman

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Jun 30, 2008
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117
Re: volvo vs. merc

we had a 1973 24' Fiberform c/w a 220hp. Volvo Penta, 20 yrs. replaced the lift selenoid twice, no other repairs!
 
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traveling man

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May 30, 2007
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Re: volvo vs. merc

Its a 2005 Starcraft Islander 221. It has 40 hours on the engine. Dual batteries, dual fishfinders, auto pilot, custom soft top with tannoe cover. Electric trim tabs, stainless steel variable pitch prop etc, etc. this boat is in mint shape. the trailer is also perfect and it has a electric winch.
 
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The Great Escape II

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Mar 9, 2008
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244
Re: volvo vs. merc

traveling man said:
Its a 2005 Starcraft Islander 221. It has 40 hours on the engine. Dual batteries, dual fishfinders, auto pilot, custom soft top with tannoe cover. Electric trim tabs, stainless steel variable pitch prop etc, etc. this boat is in mint shape. the trailer is also perfect and it has a electric winch.
Click to expand...

Auto pilot? Really?
 
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