volvo 280

[floorboy]

I recently bought a boat with a Volvo 280 drive. It works OK and will get me by for a while but I would like to upgrade the boat next winter maybe. My question is is there another more modern drive that I could swap out with out too much transom work?? Probably not. If not what would be a good one to go with??

 

[captmello]

Re: volvo 280

No there is no easy upgrade. The 280 transom hole is bigger than any of the "newer" drives.

What wrong with your 280?

 

[floorboy]

Re: volvo 280

I'm not overly impressed with the performance of it. It works fine but steers like a busted *****. I plan on restoring the boat anyway so I thought I would upgrade the drive too. What would be a decent drive to go with?

 

[captmello]

Re: volvo 280

Personally, I would stick with a 280. The only thing it doesn't normally have is power trim, unless yours has it. Otherwise its just as good as any outdrive built today. If its worn out, you can get parts new or used to freshen it up for much less money than a new drivetrain.

What engine do you have in your boat?

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: volvo 280

the logical upgrade is a duoprop lower unit

 

[Don S]

Re: volvo 280

the logical upgrade is a duoprop lower unit

Yes and NO.
IF a V6 or V8, it's better than hydraulic trim. If he has a 4 cylinder engine. There's no DP option. The 4 bangers don't have the power to run 2 props.

If his only problem is stiff steering, then repair the steering. It's probably easier and cheaper than replacing everything, including the transom.

 

[floorboy]

Re: volvo 280

It has a 5.7. It also has power trim (twin cylinders) I believe. I don't know a whole lot about Volvo's as I have only had omc's in the past. My BIGGEST complaint is the steering on it. It pulls HARD to the left. So much so it slips my autopilot if I engage it. I have been monkeying with the steering fin and it helped a little,but my god, I am of decent build but I can't take hanging on to it for an hour.
Can it be converted to hydraulic steering, or even power steering?? Are there any stainless props to choose from? I'm not worried about hitting anything with a stainless prop I run in pretty deep waters. If I could fix the steering mainley I would feel better about keeping it as its in pretty good shape. Thanks

 

[captmello]

Re: volvo 280

It sounds like you may need power steering. I have power steering on mine and it takes care of almost all of the torque steering issues. You may be able to find a power steering setup on ebay. You're on the right track by adjusting the fin on the outdrive but I'm not sure its enough when your running a V8.

 

[captmello]

Re: volvo 280

Howards Idea of the Duoprop looks even better knowing you've got a 350.